AES/EBU Digital XLR cables for balanced analog

Polkitup2
Polkitup2 Posts: 1,623
edited December 2010 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
I wanted to experiment with using balanced ICs in my Wyred 4 Sound gear (DAC to preamp and preamp to amp) and purchased some Mogami cables based on some recommedations here. I bought AES/EBU XLR cables but have learned that AES/EBU are used primarily for digital connections. I have seen some references that they should work fine for analog but now am wondering if I bought the wrong cables? :eek: Anyone have any experience using AES/EBU cables for balanced analog?
Post edited by Polkitup2 on
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited December 2010
    IIRC, AES/EBU is just the standard "specification" for transmission of digital over XLR. You should be fine for either digital or analog. I believe, much like coaxial, the impedance specification is much more important for AES/EBU (at 110ohms), where on XLR analog it will vary more. Same with digital coaxial; you can use any digital coax as an analog IC---but some analog IC's don't work as well for digital, as the 75ohm specification isn't followed as closely.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited December 2010
    FWIW, I found out that the Kimber Hero makes for an awful digital cable. Wire is wire my ****, you'd have to be deaf to not hear the flabby bass, overdone treble, etc when trying to use Hero as a dig cable. This is one illustration of how analog IC's don't work well as digital cables.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Polkitup2
    Polkitup2 Posts: 1,623
    edited December 2010
    Thanks, good to hear that the cables will work. My first surprise when I bought these was that I thought I was buying 2 pairs of cable, but just got 2 cables. I had to buy more. They do appear to be very well made. :smile:
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited December 2010
    Signal Cable makes a real nice XLR as well.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • Polkitup2
    Polkitup2 Posts: 1,623
    edited December 2010
    Well, my initial impression of the Mogami cables is not good. Even after a couple of day's burn-in they sound veiled - like the "realism" I had with my MIT's is gone. They don't sound bad, they sound smooth, but it seems that the top end has been rounded and filtered out, the transparency is just not there. :frown:
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  • Polkitup2
    Polkitup2 Posts: 1,623
    edited December 2010
    I replaced the Mogami cables with MIT Shotgun S2 proline cables and am back in business. Not even broken in the MITs smoke the Mogami's.
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