AES/ABU connectivity

[LeRoy]

My Stello Transport has one AES/ABU output and the Stello DAC has one AES/ABU input and then two AES/ABU outputs (left & right).

I have a pair of Neutrik AES/ABU interconnects that I can use for the outputs from the DAC to the amp. However, I don't have "one" AES cable to go from the transport to the DAC.

I have never used Neutrik cables before- not even the one pair I just pulled out of the draw this evening. So, have you guys ever used this kind of connectivity before and if so did your rig gain in performance in any way?

I am not sure whether to pursue this type of connectivity as I don't know whether the gains, if any, are worth pursuing one cable.

Once again your input is always appreciated.

LeRoy

[frenchmon]

This is what I found on Wikipedia.

AES3 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AES3)


The low-level protocol for data transmission in AES/EBU and S/PDIF is largely identical, and the following discussion applies for S/PDIF as well unless otherwise noted.
AES/EBU was designed primarily to support stereo PCM encoded audio in either DAT format at 48 kHz or CD format at 44.1 kHz. No attempt was made to use a carrier able to support both rates; instead, AES/EBU allows the data to be run at any rate, and recovers the clock rate by encoding the data using biphase mark code (BMC).

[LeRoy]

Thanks Frenchmon.

[LeRoy]

Curiosity got the best of me so today I placed an order for a pair of 3 foot XLR's from Neko.
Neko Audio - uncompromising audio electronics (http://www.nekoaudio.com/index.php)

[frenchmon]

Curiosity got the best of me so today I placed an order for a pair of 3 foot XLR's from Neko.
Neko Audio - uncompromising audio electronics (http://www.nekoaudio.com/index.php)

I hope it works out for you. I could have sent you mine. Mine are cheapies though and I really did not hear a difference form RCA. IF you still want them let me know and I can send them to you. Mine are not 3 foot but about 2 foot. IF you want them let me know and I can go a check the length.

[Poultrygeist]

Before selling my Classe amp I used Monoprice XLR's to connect to a tube cdp. As I recall the Monoprice XLR's were good quality and inexpensive but sounded the same as rca cables. I did like their heavy duty pro-look and the nice click that tells you they're locked in place.

[LeRoy]

PG, thanks for the insight. I got word today that the cables were shipped today so I shall soon find out what the XLR's are all about.

[LeRoy]

You know...I guess this year it has started out a like a old movie title... How to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. I have unleashed my pent up Audio bucket list and am simply knocking them out one by one. So, about the XLR's...I put the XLR's on the Stello DAC yesterday and while they do sound very similar to RCA connecters there are a couple of things that sound better with the XLR: I get a very quiet background...not necessarily a dark backdrop but a quite one. On the RCA's I can hear grain and I don't hear that with XLR's. The other thing is I get better separation of voices and instruments and no perceptible congestion over the RCA's.