AES/EBU vs XLR cables for digital connection
I did look to see if this issue was addressed in earlier discussions but couldn't find any specific information, so here's the story: I've ordered a Sonnet Hermes streamer to complement my Sonnet Morpheus DAC, and since the DAC doesn't have the I2S port (it's USB instead, though I understand I can change this if I want to), the best available connection will be via AES/EBU. I already have a pretty good XLR cable (Clarus Aqua) which I previously used for analog connection but I'm wondering if there's any advantage to using a true 110-ohm AES/EBU cable or if the standard XLR (the impedance of which I don't actually know) will work just as well. Have any of you done an A/B comparison between these two types of cable? Opinions are welcome. Thanks.
I wouldn't worry much about the digital source clock too much. Usually the embedded clock in the sourrce would get extracted and stabilised, either with a PLL or some other secret sauce methods.
I don't think the results would be bad using a common analog XLR cable for digital AES input, but OP needs to try it to see if he/she accepts the output quality. |
Thanks for the input, everybody--very helpful. I have ordered what I think (hope) is a pretty good AES/EBU cable for direct comparison so I’ll see if I can tell the difference. Guess it wouldn’t hurt to try the USB connection too, though from what I have read/heard AES/EBU and particularly I2S beat it hands down, at least with these components. So my next step, probably, will be to order the I2S module. THEN we’ll see how things line up. I'll keep you posted when I've had a chance to try all this out. |
@antigrunge2 Good cable isolator? Care to share? |
There is a fundamental difference between using a AES vs USB connection. In general, the USB puts more functions on your DAC (like reclocking) and was developed for the PC when it started being used as a streamer… before that the majority of digital connections were SP/DIF and now AES. So, typically you have to try them depending on the quality of your DAC and streamer. Given that you are going with the same brand I suspect AES will be your best bet. I tried them both on my Aurender W20SE and Audio Research Reference CD9se and found virtually no difference and stuck with the AES. |
