AES48 , is there a test to determine?

@koestner Just as an FYI, I used the Benchmark StarQuad cables between the HPA4 and the AHB2 amp. Benchmark refers to these as professional grade cables because they carry a signal at 24dBU+. Whatever, the case I tried different XLR's between the components, including the Benchmark DAC3B and the StarQuads were just as good as anything I tried.

For my sources into the HPA4 (other than the DAC3B) I am using Audience AU24SE XLR and RCA. Those seemed to benefit from the more expensive Audience interconnets.

YYZ,

It was partially your high opinion of the HPA4 that lead me to try purchase one. Since the HPA4 is AES48 even though it has both balanced and single ended outputs without a switch (please comment Ralph) I was concerned about the Schiit Yiggy and the PS Audio M700's. I want to get 2 good XLR cables. I'm thinking of Audio Envy. They have 2 types of XLR cables. One the "GL" series seems to be for equipment that supports AES48 and their other line the "4:3" for those that do not. But, if my DAC and amp do support AES48 then it seems like the Benchmark XLRs will be just fine at less than 1/2 the price.

Ralph ... thank you for the "test" procedure, but I don't think I understand exactly what you mean. Does anyone know if the Yiggy DAC, or the M700 Ice Amps conform to the AES48 standard?

Thanks to all.

I hope you like it. There is nothing there in the HPA4 sound so you will hear your other gear.

You can always contact these 2 USA based companies and ask them directly. 

Let me say in advance I have never used XLR cables.  Also, that I may not be correct in what I believe Ralph was saying.  But I thought he wrote awhile ago that in a true AES48 standard balanced application one XLR cable will sound identical as another.

Ralph, please feel free to correct me if I have mischaracterized what you were saying.

@jetter ,
I recall Ralph saying that equipment using AES48 will result in cable artifacts being reduced. Whether differing cables will sound ’identical’ is probably more a matter of opinion.
FWIW, I bought a 10 meter set of XLR’s from Ralph years ago and didn’t think of upgrading until recently when I bought a set of AQ Mackensie XLR’s. To be honest, I didn’t perceive a marked difference in sound quality.- So, perhaps Ralph is correct.
YMMV.

Bob
PS- I should add that I am running Ayre and Atmasphere equipment. Both manufacturers utilize the AES standard.