Digital Cables for BDP-2

Samurai7595 · « **on:** 7 Mar 2016, 01:27 am »

Which digital cables (AES/EBU or S/PDIF or USB) are you using with your BDP-2 digital player?

tie_breaker · « **Reply #1 on:** 7 Mar 2016, 02:11 am »

I received my bdp-2 a few weeks ago and tested it with both aes/ebu and spdif. In fact I have both connected at the same time to my bda-1. That way I can just switch channels while listening to music. In my opinion aes/ebu is superior. The sound quality is better. Sounds more natural, less compressed, more open, soundstage is better.

Grit · « **Reply #2 on:** 7 Mar 2016, 06:10 am »

I'm using an AES/EBU to connect my BPD-2 to my BDA-2. Unfortunately, I can't really comment on the differences because I never used the same quality cable in two different terminations, so I don't know if the differences were the cable quality or the connector.

Samurai7595 · « **Reply #3 on:** 8 Mar 2016, 11:58 am »

For myself, I'm using the AES/EBU connection to my Devialet 200 integrated amp.

What I was hoping to get from this thread was which digital cable brand/make are you using with your BDP-2?

Tympani · « **Reply #4 on:** 8 Mar 2016, 01:01 pm »

Samurai, there are so many choices out there. I can strongly endorse a few. Currently using a HiDiamond "Big" AES/EBU between my BDP-2 and BDA-3 (previously BDA-2). The soundstage is enormous and full, with great front to back density. Detailed, but definitely not etched. it clearly is reference quality. I have also used the WyWires Gold AES, now superceded by the Platinum. Very good, but not quite with the weight and stage of the HiDiamond (nor the cost!)

Now that I have the BDA-3, I am also using USB for my DSD feed. I have a Wireworld Platinum 7. It has been breaking in for a week, and is also spectacular. The sense of space and upper frequency shimmer in cymbals and voices is something I've never heard before. How much of this is attributable to the Wireworld alone I cant say. Maybe (more likely) I'm hearing the combined benefits of high bit-rate DSD files, played on a world-class DAC, through a top quality USB cable for the first time?

I decided to start at the top of the line, because in my past experience, I usually end up there anyway with such highly resolving components. I've also tried a Shunyata Venom USB, at a much lower price. Nice, but definitely gives up high frequency resolution, sounding a bit heavier and not as detailed. In a different class than the Wireworld Platinum 7

The Wireworld with DSD is outstanding, but I still prefer the HiDiamond for PCM.

May I suggest, though, that before spending time and money on digital cables, first upgrade the power cords, and also the fuses. You aren't hearing these components true capabilities with the stock cords and fuses. Not by a LONG shot. IMHO.

gustavog · « **Reply #5 on:** 8 Mar 2016, 01:15 pm »

Quote from: Samurai7595 on 8 Mar 2016, 11:58 am

For myself, I'm using the AES/EBU connection to my Devialet 200 integrated amp.

What I was hoping to get from this thread was which digital cable brand/make are you using with your BDP-2?

Hi, I use a Kimber Kable - KS2120 to connect my BDP-1 to the AES/EBU input of my Devialet 400.

Rod_S · « **Reply #6 on:** 8 Mar 2016, 01:27 pm »

I use a 1m Siltech Golden Ridge II AES/EBU cable connecting my BDP-2 to a Lexicon MC-12.

Speedskater · « **Reply #7 on:** 8 Mar 2016, 01:41 pm »

I would hope that the BDP-2 sounds exactly the same with any reasonable digital cable.

Tympani · « **Reply #8 on:** 8 Mar 2016, 02:40 pm »

It does not.

Speedskater · « **Reply #9 on:** 8 Mar 2016, 04:46 pm »

Quote from: Tympani on 8 Mar 2016, 02:40 pm

It does not.

Not sound the same with any reasonable cable?
If so then:
a] Something in the interconnect system is defective.
b] The component at the other end of the cable is poorly designed.
c] The BDP-2 is poorly designed.

MauriceMinor · « **Reply #10 on:** 8 Mar 2016, 04:51 pm »

Quote from: Speedskater on 8 Mar 2016, 04:46 pm

Not sound the same with any reasonable cable?
If so then:
a] Something in the interconnect system is defective.
b] The component at the other end of the cable is poorly designed.
c] The BDP-2 is poorly designed.

Well said.

schmidtmike76 · « **Reply #11 on:** 8 Mar 2016, 05:43 pm »

What about the Bryston cables? They seem reasonably priced. I've never used them but might switch over

Tympani · « **Reply #12 on:** 8 Mar 2016, 06:40 pm »

Quote from: Speedskater on 8 Mar 2016, 04:46 pm

Not sound the same with any reasonable cable?
If so then:
a] Something in the interconnect system is defective.
b] The component at the other end of the cable is poorly designed.
c] The BDP-2 is poorly designed.

There is an option (d)

vonnie123 · « **Reply #13 on:** 8 Mar 2016, 06:46 pm »

Note BDP-1 device.

AES/EBU: Blue Jeans Cable/Belden 1800F
S/PDIF: MORROW DIG4 coaxial with BNC adapter
USB to hard drive: Audioquest Carbon

Grit · « **Reply #14 on:** 8 Mar 2016, 08:21 pm »

Transparent Audio Premium 110-Ohm AES/EBU Digital Link.

Grit · « **Reply #15 on:** 11 Mar 2016, 10:14 pm »

Quote from: vonnie123 on 8 Mar 2016, 06:46 pm

Note BDP-1 device.

AES/EBU: Blue Jeans Cable/Belden 1800F
S/PDIF: MORROW DIG4 coaxial with BNC adapter
USB to hard drive: Audioquest Carbon

Did you ever get to compare the Morrow DIG4 with anything else? I'm a (very) happy owner of Morrow Audio speaker cables and analog interconnects. I also have their HDMI cables but didn't notice a difference between them and my Transparent Audio HDMI cables. I'd love to hear about your experience with their digital audio cables.

Grit · « **Reply #16 on:** 11 Mar 2016, 10:19 pm »

Quote from: Tympani on 8 Mar 2016, 01:01 pm

Samurai, there are so many choices out there. I can strongly endorse a few. Currently using a HiDiamond "Big" AES/EBU between my BDP-2 and BDA-3 (previously BDA-2). The soundstage is enormous and full, with great front to back density. Detailed, but definitely not etched. it clearly is reference quality. I have also used the WyWires Gold AES, now superceded by the Platinum. Very good, but not quite with the weight and stage of the HiDiamond (nor the cost!)

Now that I have the BDA-3, I am also using USB for my DSD feed. I have a Wireworld Platinum 7. It has been breaking in for a week, and is also spectacular. The sense of space and upper frequency shimmer in cymbals and voices is something I've never heard before. How much of this is attributable to the Wireworld alone I cant say. Maybe (more likely) I'm hearing the combined benefits of high bit-rate DSD files, played on a world-class DAC, through a top quality USB cable for the first time?

I decided to start at the top of the line, because in my past experience, I usually end up there anyway with such highly resolving components. I've also tried a Shunyata Venom USB, at a much lower price. Nice, but definitely gives up high frequency resolution, sounding a bit heavier and not as detailed. In a different class than the Wireworld Platinum 7

The Wireworld with DSD is outstanding, but I still prefer the HiDiamond for PCM.

May I suggest, though, that before spending time and money on digital cables, first upgrade the power cords, and also the fuses. You aren't hearing these components true capabilities with the stock cords and fuses. Not by a LONG shot. IMHO.

You know, I ALMOST called today to order the new sound card for my BDP-2. Then I wondered if my money would better be spent in a new USB cable to run the BDP-2 to my BDA-2 (though I intend to upgrade to the BDA-3 this year).

Could you give any input on the USB vs AES/EBU from your BDP-2 to BDA-3 for PCM/Redbox CD audio (ripped to FLAC in my case)? I read that you said you prefer your AES/EBU cable, but I don't know if that's due to a quality difference in cables, or how dramatic that difference is.

Thanks!

- Garrett

Samurai7595 · « **Reply #17 on:** 11 Mar 2016, 10:42 pm »

Quote from: Grit on 11 Mar 2016, 10:19 pm

You know, I ALMOST called today to order the new sound card for my BDP-2. Then I wondered if my money would better be spent in a new USB cable to run the BDP-2 to my BDA-2 (though I intend to upgrade to the BDA-3 this year).

Could you give any input on the USB vs AES/EBU from your BDP-2 to BDA-3 for PCM/Redbox CD audio (ripped to FLAC in my case)? I read that you said you prefer your AES/EBU cable, but I don't know if that's due to a quality difference in cables, or how dramatic that difference is.

Thanks!

- Garrett

For myself, with the old soundcard, I preferred AES/EBU over USB but with the upgraded soundcard, I really can't hear a difference.

vonnie123 · « **Reply #18 on:** 12 Mar 2016, 03:01 am »

Quote from: Grit on 11 Mar 2016, 10:14 pm

Did you ever get to compare the Morrow DIG4 with anything else? I'm a (very) happy owner of Morrow Audio speaker cables and analog interconnects. I also have their HDMI cables but didn't notice a difference between them and my Transparent Audio HDMI cables. I'd love to hear about your experience with their digital audio cables.

I have several pairs of Morrow MA 3s and MA 4s I use for analog RCA connections. That and Zu Missions are the majority of my analog cables. I also have a couple of Morrow DIG4s, and Audioquest VDM-3/ and VDM-5 digital coaxial cables. I also have used older Audioquest digital cables. I don't "notice" the cable, so all is good for me. Most of my listening now is via computer audio file, flac files, both standard and hi-res via the BDP-1, Sonos Connect, or JRiver Id Intel NUC device. IMO, digital cables should all perform pretty close as long as they are properly designed and constructed. I bought the Morrows digitals since I liked the analog versions. That said, I believe more variables come into play on the analog versions, but not so much with digital signal transmission.

I think if you buy good quality digital coaxial cables, the performance between them should be pretty darn close.

Tympani · « **Reply #19 on:** 12 Mar 2016, 03:59 am »

Garrett, I would advise the IAD card upgrade before any cable trials. The intrinsic transparency of the new card will make any subsequent evaluation easier, whether it be cables, fuses, footers or any other "tweaks". With the new BDA-3, coupled with the IAD-equipped BDP2, the sound is quite spectacular. It has allowed me to hear the real differences downstream and upstream. And also before any major cable digital evaluation, I can't tell you how much a power cord and fuse upgrade made.

Regarding AES/EBU vs USB, I continue to find my Wireworld Platinum 7 USB sounds fantastic with DSD (and excellent with PCM as well) and I could easily live with everything flowing through the USB input. But the HiDiamond Big AES/EBU has such impact and weight that I find it a treat to switch to it for my hi-rez and even 16/44k PCM files. I have no way of knowing whether these preferences would persist with other cables!

The difference these cables make in a well-tuned system is dramatic. Regarding a comment made above, I just can't accept that because I can hear such profound differences, something in my component stream is flawed. I believe just the opposite. I don't know what the Holy Grail is in music reproduction. But when the music forces you to sit down, take a deep breath, and shake your head in disbelief, even when you have somewhere else you need to be, I suspect you're getting there.