[bprice2]

I ordered a 3 ft RCA to go between my Squeezebox Touch and DAC about 2 weeks ago. It showed up in the mail today and is now installed. It takes over duties of a Blue Jeans cable of the same type. 

I really wasn't expecting there to be much of a difference, but there is and it's not minor.  It's actually a pretty significant improvement. The first thing I noticed was obvious...clarity.  I'll have to spend a little more time listening to figure this out, but I'm pretty happy about this sub-$20 purchase.

You are on to something, John dozier. Thanks.

[Letitroll98]

That's great news, I'll be ordering one today.  Call me jaded, but I wanted one more positive before spending even this small sum, now I'm hooked.

I've always guessed that connectors play an important role in the sound of analog cables, nothing even close to scientific, just an impression, a hunch if you will.  So it stands to reason that they would be as, if not more, important in digital cables.  Add in a well designed cable and we may be wanting to snag these before the big price increase.

[john dozier]

I have now received the 6ft BNC and RCA Markertek cables. I also bought, just on a lark, a Cabledyne BNC cable ($200) definitely not cheap and cheerful, but I wanted a standard of comparison and it has a 30 free trial. It has finally broken in and really is superb. I am now breaking in  the Markertek BNC. I will report back on the results. Then on the RCA cable as I can use it without an adapter on the transport end. The Anedio has both RCA and BNC inputs. We shall see. Regards

[mcgsxr]

I wonder if they make one with the same cable, but with one end RCA and the other BNC?

I could use that, my USB-SPDIF converter has a BNC, but my receiver only has RCA.

I am currently using the toslink output from the converter, to my receiver.

[john dozier]

I would call markertek and inquire. Since the cables are made in their own shop, I do not see why not. regards

[mcgsxr]

They can do what I want, but again I suffer for being north of the 49th parallel.

This affordable cable turns into a $50 exercise all in, once you factor shipping to up here.

I will consider it, but not with as much vigor as if I could pick one up for $20!

[maxima95]

I have now received the 6ft BNC and RCA Markertek cables. I also bought, just on a lark, a Cabledyne BNC cable ($200) definitely not cheap and cheerful, but I wanted a standard of comparison and it has a 30 free trial. It has finally broken in and really is superb. I am now breaking in  the Markertek BNC. I will report back on the results. Then on the RCA cable as I can use it without an adapter on the transport end. The Anedio has both RCA and BNC inputs. We shall see. Regards

Hello - Just wondering what the results were.

[gregfisk]

They can do what I want, but again I suffer for being north of the 49th parallel.

This affordable cable turns into a $50 exercise all in, once you factor shipping to up here.

I will consider it, but not with as much vigor as if I could pick one up for $20!

I ordered one of these cables from them and it works great. I wonder if it would be cheaper if I ordered to my place here is Seattle and then shipped it to you? If this works I would be happy to do it. I don't know what part of Canada you are in East or West coast?

[john dozier]

I am currently suffering with an ear infection so I hesitate to make any statement at this time. Give me some time to heal folks. If you have already bought the Markertek, rest assured it is a bargain and certainly will not be shamed by more expensive cable and since West Penn is a subsidiary of Belden, no worries there either. Regards

[Guidof]

I ordered a 3 ft RCA to go between my Squeezebox Touch and DAC about 2 weeks ago. It showed up in the mail today and is now installed. It takes over duties of a Blue Jeans cable of the same type. 

I really wasn't expecting there to be much of a difference, but there is and it's not minor.  It's actually a pretty significant improvement. The first thing I noticed was obvious...clarity.  I'll have to spend a little more time listening to figure this out, but I'm pretty happy about this sub-$20 purchase.

You are on to something, John dozier. Thanks.

In my system, the best SQ obtains by using Toslink between my SBT and external DAC. I use Silflex Glass by Lifatec, which is not expensive and is superbly transparent. You may consider trying it.

Regards,

Guido F.

[john dozier]

Well, the wait is finally over. After some exhaustive listening-the winner and still champ-Markertek! I have compared it to several $200-300 cables (no silly expensive ones) and still find it to be a real winner. I do not believe that Franz and Festus in some garage can maintain the constant impedance needed for digital. Only major manufacturers have the machinery and expertise to achieve this-they make thousands and sometimes millions of feet each year and control impedance to plus or minus 1-2 per cent. Add in the superb Teflon insulated ICM compression bubble connectors and I do not see how you could do better. Length to taste (Guido Tent suggests anything longer than 30 inches and I could hear no difference between the 3 and 6 ft cables-but if you feel better about the 6ft, go for it. BTW if anyone has any of the uber pricey SPDIF cables, I will buy you a Marketek and challenge you to a test. Regards

[Letitroll98]

Well after long delay I finally got around to ordering a 3' cable.  I know I rattled on about 6' and longer. but my go to Monster cable (don't laugh, it's a really nice cable, well reviewed by What Hi-Fi) is 3' long and if I'm doing a comparison lets be as close to apples and apples as possible.  Priority mail, should be here by week's end.  Why do they try to stick you with UPS at $11 shipping when Priority is $7?  Shouldn't they go with cheapest available?  Anyway, Priority goes to a lock box instead of left on the porch, so cheaper and better both.  Looking forward to the comparison, thanks again for the heads up John. 

[john dozier]

Remember, Markertek is a pro supply house not really accustomed to dealing with onesies and twosies. Usually hundreds and thousands plus expensive video and pro audio gear. Probably have a house deal with UPS. Regards

[WireNut]

Here a good cheap/cheerful DIY digital cable:

$4.50:   2 feet of Belden 89259 75 ohm coax cable from Handmade Electronics.
$24.00  2 Silver Sonic/DH labs 75 ohm RCA's #RCA-750

Total $28.50 plus shipping.

[brj]

Any idea how it compares to the similarly inexpensive RAM Electronics cold-welded SDI cables?

(They offer other versions using the 1694A and 89259 wire as well, including RCA options.  I believe they are all cold-welded, though on the 1695 version above states it explicitly.)

I've ordered custom cables from RAM in the past, and they test each cable individually before shipping.

[john dozier]

I suspect that one of the reasons for the cables excellence is the ISC BNCs which are compression rather than crimped. This provides for excellent impedance matching thru the connecter. Cold welding does not do this. Plus the Markertek are cheaper. Regards

[santacore]

I needed to order from Markertek anyway, so I grab a couple to try. I will try them as both digital and analog cables.

[brj]

I suspect that one of the reasons for the cables excellence is the ISC BNCs which are compression rather than crimped. This provides for excellent impedance matching thru the connecter. Cold welding does not do this. Plus the Markertek are cheaper. Regards

I think I could probably swing the extra $3 for the RAM cable if it turned out to be better!   (Belden 1694A version of RAM cable, 6 ft lengths on both cables)

I'll happily grant that radial compression connections likely provide a better air/weather tight seal of the connector to the cable sheath than a traditional hexagonal crimp connection, and possibly a better barrier to RMI/EMI, but the details of the actual electrical connection between the coax conductor and connector center pin is less clear.  (I can't tell from the ICM movie whether the pin connection is simply pressure fit or another radial compression of some kind.)

Regardless, from what I've read, cold (presumably ultrasonic) welding does have the potential to provide a better electrical interface in this application (coax conductor to connector center pin).  Thus my question as to whether anyone has heard both cables "side by side", as it were.

Now if I could get an ultrasonically welded center pin with radial compression connection of the connector shell to the cable sheath... heck, I'd pay yet another $3 more for that cable!

[john dozier]

In the double bubble connector, both shield and center pin are compression. This the one Markertek uses on their house cable. But like you I would like to hear a comparison. I just may do that. Regards

[Letitroll98]

So I received the cable a couple of days ago and have had a small amount of time to listen to it.  Detailed, good layering of soundstage, good delineation of instrumental textures.  I think a little lightweight in the bass.  Overall more analytical than the Monster M1000.  Whether it's better, much more listening needed.  In any case, definitely a cheap and cheerful winner at the price.  The RCA's are very tight fitting, if you have surface mount RCA jacks like on many receivers and cheaper CD transports, you might rip them out changing the cable.  I put a dab of mineral oil on the inside to make the cable comparison switching less painful.