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  3. 181412-7564

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.

cooper52
ghdprentice
7,282 posts
 

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.

antigrunge2
1,451 posts
 

@jerryg123 

On Ethernet: Pink Faun. On USB: Intona

jerryg123's avatar
jerryg123
3,429 posts
 

@antigrunge2 TY.

cooper52 OP
187 posts
 

A long overdue update: I tried the standard XLR cable (reminder: Clarus Aqua) while waiting for the AES/EBU cable to arrive and the XLR sounded, at best, okay. Once the AES/EBU cable finally got here, I hooked it up right away and noticed, perhaps, a slight improvement, but all in all, the difference was very small. It may be that I need to put lots and lots of hours on this cable before it shows its true colors, but in the grand scheme of things, I’m not very happy with how the combination of Sonnet Morpheus and Sonnet Hermes sounds. I’m streaming Qobuz through Roon from a Dell laptop, and I’m not getting anything like the clarity and composure I think I should. My point of comparison is the Qobuz app on my Samsung smart TV, which is connected via optical cable to a Wyred 4 Sound remedy reclocker which pushes everything up (or down as the case may be) to 24 bit/96Khz. I actually like that presentation far better. Don’t think this is how it should be, though, so I’m open to suggestions here. Thanks for the input so far--it’s been very helpful.

designsfx
795 posts
 

@cooper52 

I’m not familiar with the Hermes as I don’t own one but in quickly scanning the specs there is mention of using “Volumino” as an alternative to allow the use of Qobuz. Maybe this will allow you to stream Qobuz via the Hermes w/o having to deal with Roon? I don’t use Roon but I’ve read posts from others stating that it does have its own issues sonic signature.

BTW- Your 110 Ohm cable will be better than using a typical balanced cable and shouldn’t take light years to show the result. 

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