[john dozier]

Try the Markertek hidef video compression bnc and rca cables. Really excellent and the bncs use ptfe insulation. $13-$15 in one and two meter lengths. You cannot go wrong at this price and compression fit is the way to go. Regards and enjoy

[munosmario]

Try the Markertek hidef video compression bnc and rca cables. Really excellent and the bncs use ptfe insulation. $13-$15 in one and two meter lengths. You cannot go wrong at this price and compression fit is the way to go. Regards and enjoy

Thanks, John. Link would be greatly appreciated.

[jmc207]

Maybe these are the ones he's referring to:

RCA:  http://www.markertek.com/Cables/Video-Cables/RCA-to-RCA-Video-Cables/TecNec/CR-CR-LENGTH.xhtml

BNC:  http://www.markertek.com/Cables/Video-Cables/BNC-to-BNC-Video-Cables/TecNec/CB-CB-LENGTH.xhtml

Update: They are not the correct cables.

[john dozier]

No, the ones I am referring to can be found by searching "compression bnc" and " compression rca". Regards

[jmc207]

John, Thanks for the correction. This is what I've found searching for "compression rca" and "compression bnc". These look to be much nicer, with a double shielded cable. Hope these are the correct ones.

RCA: http://www.markertek.com/Cables/Video-Cables/BNC-to-BNC-Video-Cables/TecNec/CRCA-003-BK.xhtml

BNC: http://www.markertek.com/Cables/Video-Cables/BNC-to-BNC-Video-Cables/TecNec/CBNC-003-BK.xhtml

[john dozier]

Yes indeed. They include PTFE insulated connectors. Some of the best that I have seen. I did not include a link because there are so many different lengths. Regards

[Letitroll98]

Thank for the find John, why do you consider these better than other digital cables?

[john dozier]

They are designed for professional digital video transmission. 75ohm impedance must be maintained for this use. Compression connectors are the only type to do this. In addition, with pro gear, money is riding on the result, not "do these high frequencies sound better". They are cheap because of volume production. Look up the specs on both the cable and the connectors and you will see why. Regards

[Letitroll98]

I like the specs (I did look them up), and the RCA connectors look well designed, but I really would like to have somebody comment on the sound quality.  With most consumer equipment using the inferior RCA connection instead of the true 75 ohm termination of BNC connectors, including all of yours truly's stuff, I think you get quite a bit of variation in the sound quality of RCA terminated digital cables.  So an opinion or two on SQ couldn't hurt, however at $13.50 plus shipping for a 6' cable, I think I might be able to squeeze out enough disposable to give 'em a try.      They look promising.

PS. If pro gear sounded great we'd all use PA amps for our home systems.

They are designed for professional digital video transmission. 75ohm impedance must be maintained for this use. Compression connectors are the only type to do this. In addition, with pro gear, money is riding on the result, not "do these high frequencies sound better". They are cheap because of volume production. Look up the specs on both the cable and the connectors and you will see why. Regards

[tabrink]

 
The SPDIF Nirvana cable built by Jason Terpstra of Virtue Audio is the light at the end of the tunnel. IMHO.  The step up in quality from bargain cables is like  WOW. Turn it down! Money for nothing! Chicks for free!

[munosmario]

They are designed for professional digital video transmission. 75ohm impedance must be maintained for this use. Compression connectors are the only type to do this. In addition, with pro gear, money is riding on the result, not "do these high frequencies sound better". They are cheap because of volume production. Look up the specs on both the cable and the connectors and you will see why. Regards

Thanks, John, great find. I believe the "special" nature of the connectors in those cables is not just being "compression" but the use of patented ICM Double Bubble BNC/RCA compression connectors:  http://www.icmcorp.net/pdf/ICMCorp_DBBNCHD.pdf

Amazon sells them at a third of other vendors: http://www.amazon.com/DB6U-Double-Compression-Connector-F-type%C3%AF%C2%BB%C2%BF/dp/B0076B0VDW

Mario

[srb]

Amazon sells them at a third of other vendors: http://www.amazon.com/DB6U-Double-Compression-Connector-F-type%C3%AF%C2%BB%C2%BF/dp/B0076B0VDW

Although the photo shows BNC, RCA and F connectors, that particular listing is for the F connector.  I believe the RCA and BNC connectors cost several times more than the F connectors.

Steve

[john dozier]

With class D amps, the gap has narrowed between PA and high end consumer. Having spent the last forty years as a high end audiophile and a professional classical producer/engineer(think Studer, Schoeps, Stellavox, etc) I know the difference between high end hype and actual performance. Pros demand performance. These cables are the real deal. No high end hyperbole or purple prose need apply. Regards

[john dozier]

BTW if you are still using RCAs for digital (read high frequency RF analogue) take them to the nearest landfill and replace them with BNCs-the only connector suitable for this application. Regards

[lokie]

Here's another option.

http://www.gothamaudiousa.com/thebigsale.htm

Gotham Audio

[munosmario]

Although the photo shows BNC, RCA and F connectors, that particular listing is for the F connector.  I believe the RCA and BNC connectors cost several times more than the F connectors.

Steve

Totally right, Steve, Amazons offering is only for the simpler F type.  Markertek sells the BNC type for $1.70 (list $2.00): http://www.markertek.com/Connectors-Adapters/Video-Connectors/BNC-Connectors/ICM-Corporation/DB59BNCU.xhtml

Click at the video link at the end of the text in the "Product Details" tab to see the Double Bubble compression connector's internal construction and cable interface (neat!) 

The ICM Corp is owned by Belden which uses ICM connectors in all their terminated coaxial cable offerings:http://www.belden.com/docs/upload/ccs_icmbel_catalog.pdf The connectors are sold under both ICM and Belden names but are identical (same manufacturer part code/number).

To DIY cable termination with these connectors, a relatively inexpensive 360 degree compression tool is needed (about $76): http://www.markertek.com/Cable-Management-Protection/Cable-Assembly-Tools/ICM-Corporation/CPLCRBC-B.xhtml
Markertek  sells by the foot ($0.39) the West Penn cable used in the interconnects subject of this thread: http://www.markertek.com/Cables/Bulk-Wire-Cable/Bulk-Video-Cable/West-Penn-Wire-Corp/WP-819-BK.xhtml

I will be trying this Double Bubble BNC terminated cable but also will be replacing the old crimp style BNC connectors  in one of my four Black Cat digital  interconnects and see what happens.

Mario

[Quiet Earth]

BTW if you are still using RCAs for digital (read high frequency RF analogue) take them to the nearest landfill and replace them with BNCs-the only connector suitable for this application. Regards

I also consider S/PDIF as a high frequency analog signal, but not as a high frequency RF analog signal. If I remember correctly, a 44.1kHz sampling rate translates to somewhere around 3.2 MHz,  which is extremely low in the radio frequency world.

It's not so much the connector you choose, it's what's on the other side of that connector that matters. RCA connectors are fine for SPDIF.

[GBB]

RCA connectors are fine for SPDIF.

That's not been my experience.  If you're willing to convert the entire digital chain (transport, cable, and dac) to BNC then you'll see a big improvement.  But you need to use 75 ohm BNC, not the more commonly available 50 ohm BNC connectors and cables. 

The one's linked from Markertek are all 75 ohms, which is the correct impedance for SPDIF.  I've had very good luck with Trompeter BNC connectors and Markertek offers some cables using those as well.  Here are some Belden 1505 cables which are good but a bit bulky.
http://www.markertek.com/Cables/Video-Cables/BNC-to-BNC-Video-Cables/TecNec/T1505-BB-3-BK.xhtml
Here's a link to some thinner cables that are similar to what I use at home and also similar to what Black Cat or Stereovox sells.
http://www.markertek.com/Cables/Video-Cables/BNC-to-BNC-Video-Cables/TecNec/179DT-B-B-3.xhtml

If I were buying cables today, I'd probably go for the RG179 cable. 
By the way, regarding the Black Cat cables - they use really good connectors.  I'm not sure there is a lot to be gained by replacing them.

Finally, I've heard from people that I trust that longer cables can be helpful in this application.  At this price it would be worthwhile to compare a 3ft or 6 ft cable to one that's about 25ft long.

---Gary

[Letitroll98]

BTW if you are still using RCAs for digital (read high frequency RF analogue) take them to the nearest landfill and replace them with BNCs-the only connector suitable for this application. Regards

That's really interesting John.  Now when I throw away all of my RCA digital cables, and replace them with 75 ohm BNC connector cables, how do you suggest I attach them to the RCA inputs and outputs on my consumer digital equipment?  Would there be any point in attaching a BNC to RCA adapter? 

BTW, I've already stated I wish consumer digital equipment used BNC connectors.  I'll add that I also agree with you about high pressure compression fittings vs solder.

[munosmario]

Thanks, Gary. It so happens that all current production, terminated coaxial cables from Belden use ICM's  BNC 360 degree compression connectors (regular or Double Bubble, with the corresponding impedance for whatever cable impedance--75 or 50 ohms (see link to Belden's' current catalog in previous post). So it would be a matter of what cable one prefers, Belden's or West Penn's.

Re Black Cat, well, although their actual BNC connectors appear to be of certain good quality, in my experience, the provided RCA adaptors  tend to suffer from intermittent signal problems. In any event, I would like to experiment with just one cable (I have four) and see if ICM's BNC's unique patented connection structure and Teflon dielectric make a difference.

Mario