2. cables
  3. 167535-2546

Digital Cables: Optical, Coax, BNC, or a simple RCA interconnect?

Until recently I've been using a WireWorld Optical cable (~$100) which I bought when I was using a Pioneer PD 65 CD player as a transport (until it died) and optical was the only out option. So, I've been using my Oppo 105 to play both SACDs direct via XLRs to my Audio Alchemy DDP-1 dac/pre and recently using the optical cable for redbook playback.

Last week I was reading up on Coax, and one thread suggested trying a regular RCA interconnect, although the connectors are not 75ohms. I had a pair of DHLabs BL-1 (older light blue jacket) laying around and decided to compare it to the optical. Easy Peasy as the DDP-1 has various input connections which can be accessed on the remote. Well, amazing doesn't come close to how much the music became alive/tactile/3D.
So, I looked on DHLabs site after reading that their D-750 was highly regarded. They will let me return it if Im not satisfied. That's the good news, but a 1.0m cable is $150, certainly not expensive, but Pangea makes one that seems extremely well thought out and it's on sale at Audio Advisor for $49.95 plus free shipping, so I ordered it. Depending on how much it blows me away I may go ahead and order the DHLabs too, just to compare
Anybody have anything to contribute?
tweak1
tweak1 OP
3,645 posts
 
Thanks so much. I never would have thought longer than 1.0M would actually sound better
Ill be checking your links out
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,821 posts
 
I read on some other site where an engineer who uses solely coax with his company found out that just one additional foot would throw all the measurements off, very badly, depending on the placement and use. They always measured everything they installed and didn't just trust that the cable was well made.

All the best,
Nonoise
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,560 posts
 
Requisite is working on a store. Right now their commerce is stuck in the 90's for little guys.
Good luck in getting a price with shipping so you can send them a check.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,821 posts
 
That's too bad considering they seem to make a great cable.
boxer12
8,656 posts
 
I also have the DDP-1 DAC & a PD65 CD Player (used as a transport). Like you, I tried both optical & coax & prefer coax. I'm using a Nordost Silver Shadow & like it a lot. Going to the Nordost from an entry level Audioquest coax cable was a nice jump in performance. Never tried the Requisite but trust Nonoise in that it's a very good digital cable as well. 
More to discover