Upgrade hdmi cables or not

pitdogg2

mlistens03 wrote: »

Ooohhh ok. I see now. So it just reduces the noise floor. Interesting.

delkal wrote: »

But the Dac only reads zeros and ones. This is processed and decoded, then a new analog signal makes it out. There is no trace of the original digital signal after processing. Why would you expect a small amount of noise picked up by a digital cable to come thru?

This is what keeps bugging me about digital cables, it’s only 0s and 1s and I don’t think that that noise is gonna be either a 0 or a 1, at least it’s very unlikely methinks. Analog cables yes, it’s gonna reproduce everything but I still don’t totally understand.

People didn't think fiber optic cables made a difference as long as light made it through. But it's now known that how the cable is made from the type of fiber used to the terminations all made a difference in the way the information gets there.
The way the packets of ones and zeros are sent and received makes a difference.

rpf65

Not really hard to understand how a good quality HDMI cable can transmit data cleaner than a cheaply made one.

First it isn’t just a single one or zero, but a string of them. Then think of the string as a staircase. When you have a perfect transmission, sound and picture is pristine.

Like a staircase, a little noise acts the same as an uneven riser. Tests have shown a step that is 1/4 of an inch higher or lower will cause people to stumble.

If noise is introduced into the transfer signal, it corrupts the data. No getting around noise in any type of recording. Just the act of filming or recording introduces noise. Every step after that introduces more noise, until you finally see/hear the end product.

Quality HDMI cables tend to add less noise, be it from the connection, interaction between the bundle of cables, or general atmospheric rf signals.

Better shielding, better conductors, and better termination are what you pay for. As always there is each individuals limit on price for performance. Then there is the source and display/speakers.

A budget tv, using the onboard speakers will see negligible results from a higher end cable. The higher end TVs and we’ll constructed surround systems will show both visual and audible improvement.

Not saying it will be night and day difference to every individual, but many, if not most people see or hear a difference.

Manticore

I was using generic HDMI cables for a few years. I found most of them work. I was having hand shake issues between my BR & my Denon AVR and sometimes between my cable box and AVR. There were intermittent black outs and dropped audio.

I thought it was the HDMI board in the AVR. This was also happening after i replaced the BR player with a 4K player. I decided to buy a few AQ forest cables and it has been a few months now with no drop outs of audio or video. After hooking up the new HDMI forest cables i feel the picture is brighter and sharper with what seems to be increased sound. I noticed this immediately upon installing the new cables.

I am currently short two cables. One from the HTPC and one from the cable box to the AVR. I will be replacing both of them within a few days to AQ Forest cables. I also use a USB A to B - Cinnamon from AQ and like it very much. Like speaker, ic cables it does make a difference. It has for me!

dolbyd

I settled on the Chocolate line of AQ for the HT. I had the Cinnamon and moved them to the MB. Both great cables.

F1nut

I figured I might as well start at the top with MIT HDMI cables.

http://www.mitcables.com/product-catalog?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=32&category_id=34

headrott

Agreed Jesse. I have 2 MIT cables, one to the T.V. and one for the projector in the home theater (which is 25 ft.) and have never had a problem with either getting the signal from the source to the projector. I have only used the MIT cable in the theater, but have used 3 different cables on the T.V. and noticed an improvement with color saturation, black levels, and tint when using the MIT on the T.V.

mantis

I use Carbon , Cinamon and Chocolate in my system. For 4k Stuff high end Projectors , we have a Sony Laser 4k using a Cinnamon and all Cinnamon for all sources and compared to the Forest level cables is very minimum gain in clarity detail and sound.
I have to agree with everyone above stating the Cinnamon is the sweetspot and very little to no gain after you go higher end then that especially considering the quality of your components and size of your display. We have a 138 inch 2:35 Cinascope Stweart Screen with the Sony Laser 4k Projector and even there I couldn't tell the difference between Cinnamon and Carbon, Chocolate. Very little gain over the Forest which is probably the best bang for your buck HDMI cable on the market. I think the Forest for those who don't care to spend a small fortune on HDMI cables is a excellent quality cable for TV's put o85 inches 4k display and up to the high end. I still suggest if your willing to spend a couple extra bucks go Cinnamon as they do have a slightly better picture. You will have a hard time noticing it and hearing better sound quality unless you have a higher end system and display.

Digital as any signal transfer needs to be done correctly and to spec, after you reach the proper requirements little can be done if any to improve anything in the digital world. Analog is different as you can use cabling to tune your system with limitations in cable performance.

firsttimer

Thanks everyone as usual who has contributed to answering some of my questions. I will be slowly upgrading my HDMI to cinnamon AQ hopefully starting in the next couple of weeks. Thanks everyone

afterburnt

Any opinions on what cables sound the best?

mhardy6647

. . . . .

txcoastal1

mhardy6647 wrote: »

. . . . .

Go tell George that

He's got machines that make the special cable symmetries. The parts are hand made and very expensive to replace

mhardy6647

It was meant humorously -- but it wasn't humorous, so I blasted it prophylactically

txcoastal1

mhardy6647 wrote: »

It was meant humorously -- but it wasn't humorous, so I blasted it prophylactically

I know, but thanks to the Rooster I was able to have dinner a couple times plus brews with Colleen Cardas who was the ops mgr at the time. Great info and history of Cardas

rpf65

afterburnt wrote: »

Any opinions on what cables sound the best?

Don't really think HDMI cables influence sound, so probably isn't a best cable out there. Better quality HDMI just enable better signal transfer and reduce noise interference.

Depending on the quality of your individual display, it may increase picture clarity and color rendition. More times than not, handshake issues are from a bad or inferior HDMI cable. Cleaner data transmission will also make audio clearer and more dynamic.

As far as influencing the sound signature of your HT system, other than lowering the noise floor, I don't think there is any coloration or lack there of.

mantis

afterburnt wrote: »

Any opinions on what cables sound the best?

I find the Audioquest HDMI cables to sound the best. Pick whatever level you can afford. My Vote is for the Cinnamon level as it's where I feel price meets performance in a way that can't be beat.

afterburnt

rpf65 wrote: »

afterburnt wrote: »

Any opinions on what cables sound the best?

Don't really think HDMI cables influence sound, so probably isn't a best cable out there. Better quality HDMI just enable better signal transfer and reduce noise interference.

Depending on the quality of your individual display, it may increase picture clarity and color rendition. More times than not, handshake issues are from a bad or inferior HDMI cable. Cleaner data transmission will also make audio clearer and more dynamic.

As far as influencing the sound signature of your HT system, other than lowering the noise floor, I don't think there is any coloration or lack there of.

That's what I want is to lower the noise floor I don't care about the picture. No matter how clear the picture I still see two TV's.

rpf65

Seeing two objects, when only one is present, is normally a symptom of too many adult beverages.

firsttimer

So I finally installed the cinnamon HDMI cable from my blue ray to the display. There is a noticeable difference in colour, detail and I would say contrast. I have watched dead pool, ghost in the shell, and justice league with the new HDMI cable. Noticeable difference on all movies. Even had a friend over last night and he even noticed the difference. Now I just need to upgrade two more HDMI from 4K box to receiver and to display. I was using the mono price 4K rated cable prior to going to the cinnamon Audioquest HDMI.

mantis

Sweet man I really like the Cinnamon Cables. If I wasn't all outfitted in Carbon I would have absolutely no regrets going Cinnamon level cables. I find the Carbon not to make a big enough difference vs the amount of money you pay more. This is why I say the Cinnamon is such a great value vs performance vs all other HDMI cables.
The Forest also performs well above it's asking price, nothing wrong with using them either. Well built very affordable and works flawlessly with Dolby Vision and HDR 4k stuff.
I use a Cinnamon up to the TV and Carbon for everything else.

firsttimer

Yes I am really impressed with this cable at this time. As said will be upgrading the final two when I can. Watching dead pool now in hdr And the picture is so clear and detailed compared to the other times I have watched it.

firsttimer

So my upgrade on cables is complete. I settled on cinnamon from 4K box to av receiver, cinnamon from av receiver to display. This has improved both audio and video from 4K box for regular cable tv viewing I was able to try a chocolate HDMI so I hooked it up to 4K blue ray player directly to display and must say I really like this cable. So I am going to run one chocolate from 4K player to display directly. So if anyone is wondering how these cables are I can tell you they work fantastic and I have been very impressed with both the cinnamon and chocolate cables. If your on the fence I say you cannot go wrong with either cinnamon or the chocolate AudioQuest HDMI cables. Well worth the upgrade from my Monoprice cables.

mrloren

Can't go wrong with Audioquest cables. Might cost a bit but just can't go wrong.

tonyb

firsttimer wrote: »

So my upgrade on cables is complete. I settled on cinnamon from 4K box to av receiver, cinnamon from av receiver to display. This has improved both audio and video from 4K box for regular cable tv viewing I was able to try a chocolate HDMI so I hooked it up to 4K blue ray player directly to display and must say I really like this cable. So I am going to run one chocolate from 4K player to display directly. So if anyone is wondering how these cables are I can tell you they work fantastic and I have been very impressed with both the cinnamon and chocolate cables. If your on the fence I say you cannot go wrong with either cinnamon or the chocolate AudioQuest HDMI cables. Well worth the upgrade from my Monoprice cables.

Good for you, glad your enjoying them.

dragon1952

Anybody compared the Chocolate to the Mocha with the DBS system?