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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
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
tplavas
123 posts
 
Dazzdax,

IMO, yes, it is a common difference between coax and balanced digital cables. You've essentially described the difference I hear almost every time between spdif and aes connections. Occasionally, the spdif will be better top-to-bottom, but usually it's just superior from the mids on up. Of course, as always, it depends on the system. If the loudspeakers in use have too much energy in the aformentioned range, aes connection might be just the answer. There's little doubt in my mind that having to 'deal' with 3 wires instead of 2 makes designing an aes cable very difficult.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
The transmitting and receiving chips in the transport and dac are not identical for unbalanced and balanced modes in most cases. This may partially account for the differece you're hearing.
warjarrett
105 posts
 
Longer digital cables sound better than short ones, according to my ears. My listening tests were with Illuminations SPDIF and PS Audio Statement AES/EBU, comparing 1/2 meter to 2 meter lengths. Has anyone else also found this to be true? Anyone have a technical explanation?
tplavas
123 posts
 
Warjarrett,

Yes, there are technical explanations as to why a longer digital cable sounds 'better', unfortunately, there are also very good explanations as to why shorter sounds 'better'.
Frankly, I think it's pretty clear from my listening tests that longer digital cables sound warmer and fuller, while shorter cables are brighter and more revealing. Ray Kimber has stated the same thing.
I don't think it's worth worrying about, as long as you find the cable that performs best in your system.
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