Why does my DAC sound so much better after upgrading digital SPDIF cable?
As was said above, what passes through the wire that we CALL a digital signal is really an ANALOG signal. It is subject to distortions. This video is a pretty good, clear and simple explanation of what can go wrong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grzoqEb2KMk&feature=youtu.be |
As nonoise hit on, a digital cable still is just transmitting analog signals in pulses. Doubters seem to focus on the concept that a bit is a bit and it’s an irrelevant argument. The issue isn’t the data usually but the transmission of it. The same design philosophies that can be beneficial or detrimental to analog cables apply to digital cables. Noise picked up, created, or transmitted by the digital cables will carry through your system and be audible artifacts. Also, conductor type and sound signature of the cable will also showcase themselves. |
@audiothesis Yes, a 50¢ optical cable you find on Aliexpress may have issues, but any AmazonBasics, Monoprice, etc. cable will not have any issues unless it’s a super long run, but anything under 10ft will be fine. @karmapolice Saying you heard a drastic difference that means the decibel change would likely be 2dB or higher, or the original one you had (>$50) had audible distortion that was really close to the fundamental, which just isn’t going to happen. @melm Jitter is well documeneted. However, comparing jitter between DACs has nothing to do with if you are using a $20 generic digital cable (coax or optical) or a $4000 Nordost one. There’s one story where people have said they’ve hear a difference when switching between a cheap solid state amp and a McIntosh tube amp, yet the McIntosh didn’t even work and the solid state amp was always in use. If those people heard a difference when nothing in the system changed, you should just own up to the fact that your brain is telling you that your new digital cable sounds better when it in fact is outputting an identical signal. Now, if you hear difference, then that’s money well spent. However, there is no difference and I hope you never recommend someone do the same as you. Spend money on better room acoustics, not replacing your over expensive optical cable with one even more expensive. |
@mzkmxcv Some people have better hearing than others. They hear differences that others don't. Some people have better equipment than others. And by better I do not necessarily mean more expensive. That equipment reveals differences that lesser equipment doesn't. Some people, having less discerning hearing and/or lesser equipment don't hear any differences among cables and other relatively passive devices. Not experiencing those differences themselves they cannot comprehend that others can! It's an argument that has been going on among audiophiles as long as there have been audiophiles. |
| Post removed |
