2. cables
  3. 1179866903

Important Interconnect Question

How detrimental is it to not have a digital cable connecting a transport and a outboard dac? I was sold a analog interconnect by a dealer with whom I have a long standing affliation. I'm a bit embarassed to be even asking this but i assumed I was buying a digital cable. I'm not a 100% positive but very suspicious. I'm going to check when I get home.
zar
zar's avatar
zar OP
188 posts
 
Thanks all. I have verified that my Audioquest balanced cable is in fact analog. Just to be safe and not spend too much, I have ordered a balanced digital cable from Frank at Signal Cable.
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
I've heard and read that it's extremely difficult to construct a digital link terminated in an RCA plug (the standard "digital" out) that is actually a 75 ohm cable, although many are advertised as such.

My current favorite digital cable (Mapleshade) is basically one-half of an analog pair.
gregm
3,415 posts
 
it's extremely difficult to construct a digital link terminated in an RCA plug (the standard "digital" out) that is actually a 75 ohm cable
It's actually easy to do -- with the right equipment. The equipment is very expensive. The idea being, as you imply, to get *exactly* 75ohm.
jond's avatar
jond
6,076 posts
 
Zar,
To clarify if your digital cable is balanced AES/BU then it should be 110 ohms and not 75. But Frank at Signal Cable should know that.
zar's avatar
zar OP
188 posts
 
Jond, AES/BU is the preferred format for my cd-dac and I have ordered the 110 ohm balanced cable. Thanks, Zar
More to discover