Best digital cable to audition?

I'm sorry, but I have a question for you that might be disturbing for some: there seems to be a sort of cable neurosis regarding digital interconnects. What is it good for? I'm not an expert, but to me the most important thing is that a digital cable should be ok in the first place, technically speaking. If the cable doesn't meet the enginering criteria for a proper digital interface, then it is flawed. Some are trying to "fine tune" the sound of their gear by using digital interconnects. I think this is not the right way. Digital interconnects are not analog signal interconnects! If a digital interconnect is sounding very different than the other interconnects (that are engineered properly), then this interconnect must be bad (from the engineer's eye).

Chris

I agree.

And I would add that, if we were to confine our observations to just those digital
cables that are correctly engineered (assuming we knew), I think we would still
hear differences, which is a very curious thing.

I don't want to open a can of worms here, it's been opened many times before. But I've tried many digital cables, all over the board as far as price, and they all sounded different. I'm not able to offer an explanation for these differences but I do know they exist. As far as which is better, it's purely a subjective opinion and dependent on a host of variables.

One thing for sure, if you own good quality separates you owe yourself some experimentation with digital cables to achieve optimum performance of your digital front end. I'm not neccessarily suggesting the most expensive cable is the best choice. But there are probably 2 or 3 cables that will work best with your set-up. I would also experiment with RCA, BNC and XLR terminations as well as ATT if you have them as some of these sound better depending on your equipment.

To dismiss this subject off-hand could waste some of the sonic potential (and investment) that you have made in your DAC and transport. BTW: Happy New Year to all you Gon'ers!

You can not find better than Acrolink DA6100.

I love the Stealth stuff and this is a great SPDIF cable - true 75 ohm, wondrous detail, neutral with perhaps a hint of warmth. Once it settles in, you will keep it