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Confused about adapter for RCA to BNC

OK, I’m sure this will "engender" jokes but I still need some help. I have a digital Coax cable with BNC connectors on both ends. I’m buying a DAC that only has an RCA Coax input, so I need an adapter to, in effect, convert one end of the BNC cable into an RCA. What is this sort of adapter called, exactly?  "Female BNC to Male RCA" ? 

... and, can anyone recommend a brand/model, send me a link???

 

 

 

stuartk
stuartk OP
3,456 posts
 

@audphile1 

My guy at The Cable Co.suggested I try gently bending the "leaves" inside the male rca barrel inward and doing so, I was able to get the connection seated without slipping off. Ideally, I'd like it to be tighter and I may experiment further but for now, I'm going to concentrate on evaluating the DAC. It's certainly brought more resolution (without sibilance, so far) and improved the bass reach and presence in the mix. I don't know how long it's been powered off, so I'll continue to listen, give it more time

 

immatthewj
3,300 posts
 

I once had the opposite issue of yours, @stuartk . My transport had an RCA digital out, but the DAC I bought had a BNC in. The Dac did come with a male BNC to female RCA adapter and I am sure I must have used it initially (this was almost 30 years ago) but I did contact Canare Cable and they made up a digital cable that was RCA on one end and BNC on the other. Fast forward to a few years ago, I was having trouble with that cable (the DAC was intermittently unlocking from the transport) so I broke out he adapter that I mentioned but I noticed that the SQ was noticeably worse. I contacted Kimber and they made me up another RCA to BNC cable (I think it was D60) and that did restore the SQ. I was using that until a few years ago when I bought a new CDP.

Anyway, I did read that you resolved your issue for the time being, but just wanted to add my own experience with RCA/BNC adapters.

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,666 posts
 

@stuartk great news! Hopefully the DAC meets your expectations!

mitch2
4,315 posts
 

@stuartk - I am glad you got it to work.  Enjoy the DAC.

I am surprised more equipment manufacturers do not use BNC connectors for digital cables.  To me, they seem to make a better connection than RCA.

stuartk OP
3,456 posts
 

@immatthewj 

I've been told both: that an adapter is bad and that it makes no difference. I'm getting a different one in a few days. It will be interesting to hear if they sound different. I'm not fundamentally opposed to getting my cable reterminated, BTW, if I decide to keep the dac. 

@audphile1 

Thanks. We'll see. 

@mitch2 

You could be right. I've never done a comparison.

 

 

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