2. digital
  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
cooper52 OP
160 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
787 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. 

cooper52 OP
160 posts
 

Designsfx, thanks for your response. I did consider switching to Volumino despite the hoops you have to jump through to get the Hermes to recognize that platform, but for the moment I'm kind of stuck with Roon for the next year, as that's how my subscription is structured. Probably not the smartest decision I ever made...

designsfx
787 posts
 

@cooper52 

See thread attachment for comments on Volumino- maybe you’re better off where you are-

Volumino

steakster
1,797 posts
 

My Dell laptop (dedicated for streaming only) was super-tricked out with all the bells & whistles. A lot of time, effort & expense went into it. I mean a lot!

When I finally compared it to a dedicated mid-priced streamer, the laptop was quickly dispatched to the closet. Not even close. The SQ from the dedicated streamer was far superior.

_ _ _ _ _

Perhaps, the routing through the TV sounds better because the optical cable is mitigating some noise. Still, not ideal.

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