Matching digital input impedance of dac with cable

A balanced connection is no guarantee of better performance. The transmitting and receiving chips for balanced and unbalanced connections are not identical in every machine. Therefore the only way to determine which cable is best for your application is to audition them.
Good luck.

Tplavas & Audiofeil,
Thank you for the information. There is no such thing as too information until it starts to get confusing.....

I currently have a Classe CDT-1 transport connected to a Krell Showcase Surround Preamp/Processor via a Monster 600 digital cable; I'm using the Krell's on-board DAC. At times & with less than great recordings, it sounds abit edgy. Does anyone have suggestions on a good digital cable < $300? Any experiences with active cables vs. standard?

Newogger,

To answer one of your questions, I have recently auditioned the Audioquest Eagle Eye with 72V DBS, and it is very, very, good. But definitely on the revealing side of neutral, so I'm not sure if it's the answer, given your problem with edginess with the Krell DAC. I haven't auditioned the latest version of Synergistic Research Active digital, but the first X versions left me unimpressed with their colored midrange. Perhaps others could give suggestions for a good cable that's more forgiving up-top.

Tplavas,

I am going to try the Chimera Advantage Series II Single Ended Digital Cable. After I let it burn in, I'll let yuo know how it goes; probably sometime in August.

Thanks for your help.

Tboooe/Tplavas/Audiofeil,

I've been breaking in the new Chimera Digital Cable for about 3 days now and it has absolutely put the Monster 600 digital cable to shame. I'm hearing components of the music that were just hinted at before but now are more defined and forward. Some of these notes/instruments I had never even heard before. WOW! The notes sound more real with that "air" everyone talks about. And the soundstage, Gadzooks! It has almost exploded in size & depth and, get this, the detail has increased. I sit about 9' from my Martin Logans & there were notes coming out at me. One instrument felt close enough that I could touch it! It was coming out at the 2 O'Clock position about 4' away from me. I have never experienced that with my system. The bass is so much fuller while maintaining the punch. The highs are much easier on the ears, but still have alittle work to do.

All in all, it was well worth the investment <$180. In fact, I'm so pleased, I'll be budgeting for addition chimera cables for my amp.

The cables are continuous copper core 25ga multi-strand Linz-based topology.