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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
cornchips
21 posts
 
Okay, now what can I expect to hear when I use a Balanced AES/EBU cable rated at 110 ohm (in place of a digital coax at 75 ohm)?

And will the highly contested and aformentioned replies to Dan's original post apply?

--ksr
sashav
72 posts
 
Jitter
Ag insider logo xs@2x
drubin
3,275 posts
 
When in doubt about anything related to digital, just invoke "jitter".
boa2's avatar
boa2
1,551 posts
 
Because they have different mommies and daddies.
dazzdax
599 posts
 
Hi folks, I have been using two top of the line AES/EBU digital cables from Pure Note (Paragon Enhanced) and Purist Audio (Dominus). After a while, I inserted back my old Wireworld Gold Starlight II S/PDIF, because I prefer the Wireworld over both the AES/EBU cables. Why I prefer the S/PDIF? With the Wireworld the sound is more upfront, with more PRaT. The midrange is fuller. But both AES/EBU cables had better detail retrieval. Is this a common difference between AES/EBU and S/PDIF? Thanks.

Chris
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