2. cables
  3. 1263916278

MIT Oracle MA Digital AES/EBU

I have been on a digital cable quest for a while now. The cable runs from my Logitech Transporter to Berkeley DAC and I have found through my trials that it is one of the most critical paths. The cables I have tried all sound very different and alter the sound even more than changing interconnects. It was surprising to me as I thought these changes would be subtle. I have tried most of the typical cables discussed (Valhalla, Emotion, Sextet etc) and seem to always return to my MIT Proline Digital Reference (the newer one with the metal connectors). Most of what it does seems right however I find it somewhat slow, dark and muted. I am inclined to try the Oracle but boy is it pricey and I am leery of just how much of that will be corrected. Any owners of this cable out there that may be able to comment on it's general sonic character and even how it compares to the Proline Digital Reference? I have found zero information about it and never seen it discussed...Thanks!!
richard_stacy
richard_stacy OP
686 posts
 
Funny this thread has been revived, I forgot about it. I can't believe it's been 2 years since I got the MA-X, time flies! I still have it, use it and feel even stronger about it's ability. A lot of things have changed around it as it's now connecting a Berkeley Alpha USB to a Alpha Series 2 DAC. I can only say that it is by far a key component to my rig and does far more than any digital cable I have experienced. The only one I put in it's class is the Acoustic Revive DISX which in many ways is as good, just very very different in character.

As for the suggestion of the HiDiamond, I'd try it but am very leery of cable companies that have a zillion forum threads/comments from out of the blue.
camb
164 posts
 
Richard,

How would you describe the difference in character between the MIT and Acoustic Revive?
richard_stacy OP
686 posts
 
Camb...I would say the MA-X is much more true to the source with much crisper edges/detail, more articulate. The Acoustic Revive is more musical, almost analog in character like all the AR stuff. Acoustic Revive has sort or a house sound that is very natural and organic. I would still call the DISX articulate, just not as much as the MIT (nothing really is to me). Not to say the MA-X lacks presence in any way but it does not have a glow/warmth to it. Being a true to the source kind of guy, I still prefer the MIT but it's pretty close.
joncourage
185 posts
 
Ironically, I'd characterize the HiDiamond as a superb balance between articulate and analog. You might want to see if you can get your hands on one, you may be pleasantly surprised.

I can understand being trepidatious about a product new to north American markets, kind of a shame though.
camb
164 posts
 
Thanks Richard.

Wow, it's really strange but the MIT Oracle I bought from The Cable Company sounds different than you describe between my Sooloos MC 200 and Simaudio 650D dac. In my system the MIT sounds fantastic in many ways but it's a little roled off in the high frequencies, making it sound very warm and analogue-like but lacking in air and spaciousness. The bass and mid-range are fantastic and articulate but I can't get over the missing high frequency extension. Neither The Cable Company nor MIT can figure out why I'm experiencing this roll off in high frequencies - must just be one of those few cases where the cable isn't a good match for the system...
More to discover