Digital coax question...

steveinaz

I'm seriously considering buying the Benchmark DAC-1 for my CEC and was wondering how good the digital coax needs to be? Would I be fine with a mid-grade ($50) cable? Can't see where cables would play to big of a part with a digital out?

Should I use the AES/EBU output instead?

Suggestions?

LuSh

I found big differences between the two digital coax cables I tried, a Harmonic Technology Platinum Cyber link cable and a less house brand by Moray James. I found the Moray to be a much much better cable, and the differences weren't sublte or something you had to sit and listen for. If you have a local dealer, you might want to grab a handfull of cables and see if you can't try them out at home.

I'd also look for a Museatex Bitstream DAC if you can find it, send it over to John Wright and let him mod it. You might be able to do it for the same price as the Benchmark.

steveinaz

Cool, what about the AES/EBU? Should I take advantage of that output on my CD player, or would a coax be fine?

PolkThug

Originally posted by steveinaz
Would I be fine with a mid-grade ($50) cable?

Yes!

steveinaz

AES/EBU and XLR are one in the same, correct?

tryrrthg

Originally posted by steveinaz
I'm seriously considering buying the Benchmark DAC-1 for my CEC and was wondering how good the digital coax needs to be? Would I be fine with a mid-grade ($50) cable? Can't see where cables would play to big of a part with a digital out?

With the benchmark DAC who cares what cable you have! that thing is supposed to amazing! Start with a $50 cable and then try "better" cables later. Excellent choice!

steveinaz

I've seen some pretty incredible data on this thing and it looks like a winner. I've never used an outboard DAC though, nor have I ever had equipment with AES/EBU connections until my CEC CD Player. I'm curious if there's a benefit to using the AES/EBU since its available.

LuSh

http://cgi.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/auc.pl?dgtlconv&1109040575&auc&3&4&

Theres an auction right now for a BiDat, a step up from the bitstream, but who knows you might be able to get it at a steal. As for the balanced connections, I've heard conflicting reports about it.

Forgive me, but I find this all funny after all the speakers>source debates.

At anyrate good luck. Experiment with the cables, cost doesn't always reflect performance.

steveinaz

Originally posted by LuSh
Forgive me, but I find this all funny after all the speakers>source debates.

There is a funny irony to the whole thing huh? LMAO!!! Sorry man, I still have tears in my eyes and my face hurts from laughing at the "owned thread" this morning. Funny stuff....