Which balanced cables

[Bokke]

I've used van Damme star quad, also from design a cable - good cables and good service
one that I like but haven't tried so its only guess work is the silver XLR from Gothic (expensive option)

 

[sgee]

Designacable, 2 x 4m Xlr starquad cables cost me £42 for my active ATC's. How can that price not be very good value?

 

[StingRay]

I think designacables prices are very good personally. I thought about making up my own cables but the saving simply wasn't worth the hassle.

When I was looking for VD rca cables Designacable seemed a lot more expensive for the same cables with Neutrik plugs but VD cables are a bit confusing with several difference cables with similar names. On eBay there are several makers, they are around £16-£18 for 1m pair, Mark Grant are about £20, Designacables were around £40 unless I have the wrong VD cable. I though about making cables up because the cables only cost about £1 pm.

 

[StingRay]

Designacable, 2 x 4m Xlr starquad cables cost me £42 for my active ATC's. How can that price not be very good value?

Looks good value, but their RCA prices look high.

 

[MartinC]

When I was looking for VD rca cables Designacable seemed a lot more expensive for the same cables with Neutrik plugs but VD cables are a bit confusing with several difference cables with similar names. On eBay there are several makers, they are around £16-£18 for 1m pair, Mark Grant are about £20, Designacables were around £40 unless I have the wrong VD cable. I though about making cables up because the cables only cost about £1 pm.

I've only ever looked at designacables XLR cable prices, which is all I've ever recommended them for and what this thread is about .

 

[seasidersrock]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Belden-B...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0
All you need. Seller will make custom lengths. I'm using a 3 MT set from Pre to Power.
There excellent quality. Recommended.

 

[bencat]

AES/EBU digital cables should only be used for a digital connection between to items that both have AES/EBU inputs and outputs . AES/EBU digital cables are designed and specified for digital signal transfer and use all three connectors they are 110 ohm (or should be) . In my view they are one of the best digital connections you can use with only fully specified 75 ohm BNC being better but sadly more difficult to find .

 

[Miller-8]

AES/EBU digital cables should only be used for a digital connection between to items that both have AES/EBU inputs and outputs . AES/EBU digital cables are designed and specified for digital signal transfer and use all three connectors they are 110 ohm (or should be) . In my view they are one of the best digital connections you can use with only fully specified 75 ohm BNC being better but sadly more difficult to find .

I²S?

 

[bencat]

No I2S is a communication between chip sets internally and has to be taken direct from a Chip to an output socket. This has no current standard so often it can mini 5 pin din , HDMI or other outputs . Given that it was only designed for internal chip communication it not very robust and any connections need to be kept as short as possible . When implemented and used correctly it can sound very good but it was never meant as a digital signal transmission between items so it can have inherent problems .

 

[Viz]

That’s very interesting, thank you.

 

[hifinutt]

I too use the BlueJeansCable balanced. Good quality and I’m not feeling the urge to try anything else.

Their website has a nice write up about choosing balanced cables.

Nice to see your name , I was watching YouTube vids of zermatt last night to persuade my wife to go

 

[Musical_Mainline]

I can't imagine one.

I've used Designacable for various bits and never had a problem. Quick delivery and decent value.

+1 Always reliable.

 

[ovlov854]

This guy has a first rate reputation and following on AOS forum and as you can see price is very reasonable
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222928135538?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Also look at RFC cable if you want to spend more, they also have good resale value

 

[chezi]

I bought a pair of these https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/372836206819?epid=1441345949&hash=item56cec508e3:g:jV4AAOSwSxpgabb4
Very well made and if your after that CRYO silver type cables , they are pretty good and don't cost the earth. They come certified cryo treated btw.

I have a couple of pair I would sell if you want to try them , Van Damme pro-grade XKE silver plated with Neutrik plugs 60cm , and QED Qnex 4S Quad silver plated 60cm . £40 and £30 , respectively posted .

chz

 

[StingRay]

Some time ago, about 2 years? There was a big shoot-out with XLR cables done by @Fourlegs. I will try and find it later.

I have read differences are less on XLR than on RCA.

I managed to find it: https://hifiwigwam.com/forum/threads/xlr-listening-test-into-atc-40-actives.88134/

 

[chezi]

Some time ago, about 2 years? There was a big shoot-out with XLR cables done by @Fourlegs. I will try and find it later.

I have read differences are less on XLR than on RCA.

I managed to find it: https://hifiwigwam.com/forum/threads/xlr-listening-test-into-atc-40-actives.88134/

wonder how long till the mud starts getting flung??

I keep away from cable threads , not a believer in night and day differences but I do like a good quality well built cable.


chz

 

[MartinC]

This guy has a first rate reputation and following on AOS forum and as you can see price is very reasonable
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222928135538?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Exactly the same cable can be bought more cheaply from designacable:

https://www.designacable.com/mogami...able-neutrik-gold-xlr-to-xlr-mic-lead-26.html

 

[CageyH]

Is there any benefit from using a “pure copper” conductor in the plug, compared to the plated brass connectors found in the Neutrik connectors?

I need to make up two sets of cables to fit my new preamp into my system. I will be using some OCC balanced cable I have in my cable box.

 

[Gray]

....someone told me that balanced topology makes a system immune to cable differences.

I doubt those that perceive the magical benefits of cables, would agree with that.

 

[Non-Smoking Man]

I run a fully balanced active 5 way horn system and I assert the following, based on experience:

1. Cables make a huge difference in general and balanced connections are no different in that respect;

2. Your average pro audio cables such as Van Damme, Klotz and Sommer are noticeably inferior in a system such as mine or even a lesser system.

3. (A separate but related point.) It pays to have a fully balanced system rather than partially balanced in order to reap the benefits of lower noise, though it may be the case that, in the case of vinyl playback, you could get away with RCA in, XLR out with the phono stage as the signal is said to be 'floating' from the cartridge.
4. Having said that, due to financial constraints given the system has 14 active electronic components, each requiring a mains cable, save the mains conditioner whose cable is captive, and interconnects, I can only go up one or two levels - Blue Heaven, Chord Chameleon, Chord Anthem 2, Cobra for I/Cs and for the speakers the least would be Van Damme Hifi, and the best Tellurium Q Black (early version). The Cobra is all set to be upgraded but that has to be 2m due to siting - so £200 used prices (!).

Jack NSM