2. cables
  3. 975720190

Why do digital cables sound different?

I have been talking to a few e-mail buddies and have a question that isn't being satisfactorily answered this far. So...I'm asking the experts on the forum to pitch in. This has probably been asked before but I can't find any references for it. Can someone explain why one DIGITAL cable (coaxial, BNC, etc.) can sound different than another? There are also similar claims for Toslink. In my mind, we're just trying to move bits from one place to another. Doesn't the digital stream get reconstituted and re-clocked on the receiving end anyway? Please enlighten me and maybe send along some URLs for my edification. Thanks, Dan
danielho
sean
6,231 posts
 
Red: I've heard very similar sonic traits when using certain analogue cables as digital cables. Since the impedances between transport to DAC would normally be very different from DAC to preamp, another line level source to preamp or preamp to amp, i don't know why this is. Having said that, some folks that i've talked to that have cables built to their spec insist that every manufacturer introduces their own sonic signature into what they make. That is, the grade of copper or silver, how the wire is formed or drawn, etc... all plays a key in the sonic signature. As such, some folks have had cabling made to the same spec by several different manufacturers and they all sound different. This is the kind of stuff that boggles the mind yet would probably reveal quite a bit if someone were willing to devote the time to research the subject. Then again, maybe that's why "audiophile" cables cost so much i.e. we have to pay for all of the R&D that's taking place : ) Sean
>
ading74a4
1 posts
 
The trick is the overshooting or undershooting from the digital transformer,this combine the different of capacitance of so call digital cable to trim different sound,and as well as Q factor of sampling frequency..
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Red - I think you're mad actually, just kidding....

I have no explanation other than the usual parametrics, R,L,C and dielectric absorption. Also, dont forget metallurgy.

One thing that I didn't mention before was the length/speed effect that I explain in this paper I wrote for Positive-feedback:

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue14/spdif.htm
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
ading - What engineering school did you go to????? Ive never heard such drivel....
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Spluta wrote:
"From what ive seen there is a major flaw in the spec itself The #1 contributer of EMI is the rise time. The quicker it is, the more EMI emitted. A common misconception is the Freq is the culprit not true. Its seems to me that the rise times are faster than needed for the application.

Not true at all. The risetimes are purposely slowed in 99% of transports in order to pass FCC and CISPR. This actually contributes to jitter. If the terminations and impedances are matched, there will be very little EMI, even with very high edge-rates. Please read my PFonline paper.
More to discover