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How important is the digital cable between the player and your clock ?

I understand the importance of cables in a system.....but generally speaking, is the cable between a cd / scad player and an external clock an important link ? I will assume the answer is yes.....but how and why ? I would like to hear from enthusiasts who own especially own Esoteric gear with clocks. I am looking to upgrade this cable and was questioning on what sonic impact this cable would have the overall sound. Thank you in advance.       
garebear
garebear OP
1,159 posts
 

Hello Zephyr - my system for the most part is very close to the top end Purist Audio / mixed with top of the line Cardas. I listened to a few digital cables and  -  was surprised to hear that they did make a difference. This digital cable will be going between my Esoteric CD player and an Esoteric clock. I ended up going  with a PAD Dominus Luminista ( BNC connection ) from an older although good, Purist digital cable that it actually did make a sonic difference in the system. 

So even on a clock it was noticeable and that was question..... However that cable was $1,700 which is not cheap. I was now wondering as it is only about 4 weeks old  -  if there is an auditable break in period on that cable as it is feeding bits and not an audio signal ??....hmmmm don't know.    

folkfreak's avatar
folkfreak
1,349 posts
 
In a word yes, it matters tremendously. I need 3 such BNC 75 ohm cables in my DCS Paganini stack and upgrading to Transparent Reference XL made a big difference. Previously I had used AudioQuest Eagle eye. At nearly $3k a cable this is not cheap but most regard this transparent series as top of the heap on digital interconnects

also the power cord to the clock makes a big difference if you haven't already upgraded that
garebear OP
1,159 posts
 
.......thanks folkfreak ...and you are right. I also liked Siltech when I owned the DCS gear. Wonderful equipment .....and sometimes once you get in you can't go back on these cables as you have soo much invested in them. I have the Purist Audio Limited Edition power cord on my clock and that too made a difference.....  
zephyr24069's avatar
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zephyr24069
1,244 posts
 
Garebear: Thank you for the additional details and 'Yes',...based upon several iterations of cables over the years, I believe that break-in for pure digital cables does matter and has to be undertaken.  The only exception (IMHO) is fiber optic (AT&T std) and TOSLINK.  SPDIF, AES/EBU and clocking cables all have seemed to benefit quite a bit from it in my system.
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