Digital Cable

OBF · « **on:** 24 Jul 2003, 09:59 pm »

I need to replace a cheap Belden/Canare type cable that is giving me a lot of trouble. I think the crimp must be going bad since it keeps losing the signal until I play with the wire and restart my DIO.

There's plenty of recommendations on what's the best performing digital cable, and I WOULD get a Bolder silver bullet cryo cable, but I don't want to spend much more than $50. Any suggestions on the best performing cable for that price? I know it isn't much

Thanks.

Hantra · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 Jul 2003, 10:26 pm »

OB:

I'm going to anwswer your question in a way that probably won't help you a bit. . .

I have heard a few digital cables. In my system, I have used PBJ as a digital, the Bolder (non-silver bullet), the Scott Nixon digital cable, and most recently, and Audience AU-24.

IMO, the Audience is the only cable I have heard that actually beat the Nixon cable. It is quite an amazing digital cable that gives me more precise layering, and a more analog sound. It has a broader soundstage, that is also deeper than the Nixon cable.

Don't get me wrong, the Nixon cable beat all others I had in the system. Plus it was about $240 cheaper than the AU24. .

If I were in your boat, knowing what I know now, I would surely look hard at spending a little bit more on the Audience Conductor. They are very close to AU24, except they aren't single crystal. Even John McDonald says they are extremely close to AU24 in sound.

I am sure you can find a dealer willing to go 25+ off on one. That would make it $75 or less. If that doesn't work for you, you may try DIYCable or something, and get a better deal. . .

HTH,

B

dogberry · « **Reply #2 on:** 24 Jul 2003, 10:57 pm »

The simple answer is just to get the non-silver, non-cryo'd Bolder digicable @ $85.00. Best bang for the buck right there. That's not much more than $50, and worth the $15 difference big time!

TheeeChosenOne · « **Reply #3 on:** 24 Jul 2003, 10:59 pm »

Well, you can get the Zu Firemine for about that price on the Zu website or on Ebay.
http://www.zucable.com/firemine/index.html

Another cable that has recieved good reviews is based on John Rische designs:
http://signalcable.com/digital_cables.html

http://www.rhinocables.com/digital_premium.htm or http://www.rhinocables.com/Perf%20digital_ic.htm

http://www.cobaltcable.com/product/digital_coax_cable.htm

http://www.a2zcables.com/a2zcables.storefront/3f20647402f6f3a42719424d361d067a/Product/View/ACSP1&2D3

bubba966 · « **Reply #4 on:** 24 Jul 2003, 11:18 pm »

I had a Zu Firemine digital, though I never used it. I ended up selling it to Rob Babcock. So you can ask him how it performs.

I'm using Bolder Cryo'd Silver Bullet digitals in all 3 of my applications at the moment.

I am planning on upgrading at least one, or maybe all of them to Cryo'd Napalm Ultra's as soon as they are available.

At that point I'd have at least one Cryo'd Silver Bolder digital cable for sale...

OBF · « **Reply #5 on:** 25 Jul 2003, 12:39 am »

Thanks for the suggestions.

I'll look into the Audience Conductor, especially if I ever see it used.

Dogberry, I'd like a Bolder, but by the time I added shipping, it would be nearly double what I'd like to spend.

Theee, I might end up getting another Risch cable, but I've now had both my digital and also a set of component cables that have developed flaky connections from 2 different builders, so I don't know.....

Bubba, I'd happily buy one of your Bolders if the Napalm shows up sometime soon.

Hantra · « **Reply #6 on:** 25 Jul 2003, 12:46 am »

Quote

Theee, I might end up getting another Risch cable

Isn't the Bolder digital a Risch with Eichmanns? Correct me if I'm wrong. . . I don't remember where I heard that. . .

B

OBF · « **Reply #7 on:** 25 Jul 2003, 12:55 am »

I know Bolder's interconnects used to be Risch designs, but Wayne has since developed his own, but not sure about the digital.

TheeeChosenOne · « **Reply #8 on:** 25 Jul 2003, 01:00 am »

I think Wayne mentioned that he updated all his cables to not include Rische designs any more.

For anyone looking at intro. pricing on a vaunted, specialized digital cable at the top-end:

http://www.i2digital.com/

I've read users have sold their $2k Kharma digital cable for this baby. The designer is Chris Sommovigo who designed the vaunted ILLUMINATI D-60. Apprantly he's went out on his own.

Hantra · « **Reply #9 on:** 25 Jul 2003, 01:11 am »

Quote

Wayne mentioned that he updated all his cables to not include Rische designs any more.

Sweet!

I am pretty sure the Bolder digital I heard was one of the Risch designs, so take that into consideration. .

ton1313 · « **Reply #10 on:** 25 Jul 2003, 02:38 am »

The Zu Firemine is awsome for it's price point. If you can grab a Zu Ash on ebay it really rounds out the performance. The Firemine had better detail than a $225 Tara Labs CD-1 cable in m system.

bubba966 · « **Reply #11 on:** 25 Jul 2003, 02:46 am »

Quote from: TheeeChosenOne

I've read users have sold their $2k Kharma digital cable for this baby. The designer is Chris Sommovigo who designed the vaunted ILLUMINATI D-60. Apprantly he's went out on his own.

Tyson had a D-60. I believe he replaced it with a Bolder digital when Wayne started building them with copper Eichmann's. I don't even think it was a cryo'd version that Tyson found to be better than the D-60, it was just a regular copper bullet version. I'd bet the silver bullet cryo'd version is a good improvement over the copper non-cryo'd cable. Maybe he'll chime in here as I believe he's got a silver bullet cryo'd cable now.

Quote from: OBF

Bubba, I'd happily buy one of your Bolders if the Napalm shows up sometime soon.

I'm not entirely sure when the Napalm will show up at my place. So I can't give you a date on when I'd have one available. 'course you could always use a standard coax to tide you over if your current digital is giving you trouble right now...

Ears · « **Reply #12 on:** 30 Jul 2003, 03:52 am »

The AZ mc=2 is the best digital cable by far of five or 6 other brands i have tried including a 500.00/1m Wireworld and a 1k/1m Electraglide digital cable.
These go for 200.00 or less used on A-gon and i consider them a better value than there ic's.
They offer smoother, yet more detailed sound and an increase in soundstage width.

byteme · « **Reply #13 on:** 30 Jul 2003, 07:56 pm »

I've had a bunch, Cardas, harmonic tech, MIT, Audio Magic, Kimber d-60, Virtual dynamics audition and they were all replaced by my Scott Nixon digital cable for $50. As Hantra said, great cable at a great price.

OBF · « **Reply #14 on:** 30 Jul 2003, 10:54 pm »

Quote from: byteme

I've had a bunch, Cardas, harmonic tech, MIT, Audio Magic, Kimber d-60, Virtual dynamics audition and they were all replaced by my Scott Nixon digital cable for $50. As Hantra said, great cable at a great price.

Does he have the cable on his website (I didn't see it) or do you have to contact him and ask?

Hantra · « **Reply #15 on:** 30 Jul 2003, 11:08 pm »

OBF:

It's not on the site. . . Just call and ask. .

B

Jay S · « **Reply #16 on:** 31 Jul 2003, 01:05 am »

Seems like a shootout between the SN and Bolder digital cables is in order!

What connectors does the SN use? I am guessing not bullet plugs?

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #17 on:** 31 Jul 2003, 07:19 am »

Quote from: Jay S

Seems like a shootout between the SN and Bolder digital cables is in order!

What connectors does the SN use? I am guessing not bullet plugs?

byteme has the Mensa audition pack now - he's got plenty of things to try.

byteme · « **Reply #18 on:** 31 Jul 2003, 01:44 pm »

No, not bullet plugs on the Nixon. I can do a listen and let you know which I prefer. I'll try and get a couple pictures of them next to each other too. I can do the same with the DIO and Tubedac with each's power supply.

I didn't even think of doing this

DUH! Thanks Wolf

So far I've only had a chance to try the rca bullet adapters. Let's just say I'm not blown away...more to come.

Hantra · « **Reply #19 on:** 31 Jul 2003, 02:15 pm »

Quote

I can do the same with the DIO and Tubedac with each's power supply.

I am looking forward to this one!!! I want to find out if I am insane for not liking the DI/O. . .

B