It shouldn't, but it does: AQ Cinnamon

Well done. 

Digital interconnects are as important as the analogue ones. Happy to hear AudioQuest works for you.

Adam -

Thanks.  I've opened a can of worms, though - I'm now wondering how much more music I can get if I take a couple of steps up the AQ line.  I'll live with it for a while and see how it goes . . .

Bob... Yes you have opened a Pandora's box  Let's put it this way - even a streaming cable makes a difference. Let alone a fundamental piece like a digital interconnect.

With digital cables it's more about how well they 'shield' against interferences from 'the outside world' (it's a bit of an oversimplification, but illustrates a principle quite well I think).

I found AQ Vodka to be well suited to my setup but I've now moved onto Chord C-Stream, which to my ears gives a superb presentation. Don't know why and don't care. If it sounds good, it's good.

Have fun.

I'm not surprised at all - my experience upgrading Ethernet cables has been similar. Will be trying the AQ Cinnamon soon.

I heartily recommend Cat 6a cables by bluejeanscable. They're as good as the audioquest at non-audiophile prices.

Bob - see what I mean?

Other forum members also report very good results with streaming cables too. It's a nice add on to your other thread on starting a streaming experience.  I use Chord C-Stream and Chord Signature Tuned Aray.

MangoMonkey posted:

I heartily recommend Cat 6a cables by bluejeanscable. They're as good as the audioquest at non-audiophile prices.

 

Yes, I am using that too and am very happy with it.

Hi Bob, can you please clarify what AQ Cinnamon "digital" cable,  it seems its the replies are assuming its Ethernet, but AQ have a number of cables called Cinnamon,  mostly all digital & only one is Ethernet,  &  your profile doesn't  seem to be clear what box this cable connects with.         

Mike - I assumed it was a regular coaxial - hence my first reply. I also mentioned that other digital cables e.g. streaming cables also make a difference. That's how the post drifted...

But you are right - it's not clear from Bob's post which cable he refers to.

Adam

Logically cinnamon connects the bun to the raisins. What else.

Adam Zielinski posted:

Mike - I assumed it was a regular coaxial - hence my first reply. I also mentioned that other digital cables e.g. streaming cables also make a difference. That's how the post drifted...

But you are right - it's not clear from Bob's post which cable he refers to.

Hi Adam,  if its from the Meridian 263 shown in Bob's profile, the RCA (coax) digital input is the only possibility.    But the other posters do seem to be assuming otherwise.

Adam Zielinski posted:

Bob - see what I mean?

 

Adam -

Yep!

For clarification - it's a coax .75m cable.  Connects the DV09 to the 563 DAC.  (My profile is out of date already.)

A day later, it sounds better still, and I'll assume a digital cable still needs burn-in time on the basis I have never heard a cable that didn't. 

Bob Edwards posted:

The AQ is substantially better - even my hearing aid wearing mother in law noticed it.

 

If only all listening tests were performed by hearing aid-wearing mothers in law.

Sounds like as good a control group as any.

MangoMonkey posted:

I heartily recommend Cat 6a cables by bluejeanscable. They're as good as the audioquest at non-audiophile prices.

 

I am confused they seem to have 2 versions of a cat 5E cable, but no 6A.

Hi Claus,    I think you might be looking at UK Blue Jeans   (.co.uk)   You need to go to USA Blue Jeans (.com).  

But don't assume Cat6A will sound better than Cat6,  it might, it might not, but then again it more than likely will not be any different.      The different Category numbers are an indicator of the bandwidth (MHz) where the cable crosses the compliance specification limits for cross talk, return loss & various other parameters.  The minimum spec for an audio network is Cat5 / Cat5e & has a 100 MHz bandwidth to comply 100Base-T(X),  Naim & other audio streamers work at 31MHz.      Cat6 has 250 MHz & Cat6A is 500 MHz,  so although not needed, in theory all these cables will give is more headroom over 100 MHz (31MHz).     That in itself is no bad thing as Cat5e can more easily drift out of spec with bend or crush deformation, whereas the more robust construction & 250 MHz of Cat6 - in theory at least – will better maintain its construction form & still perform to 100Base-TX at least.    While you're in BlueJeans have a look at the article on ethernet cables failing to pass the category compliance tests,  its called something like "Is your Cat a Dog",  shocking to see the vast majority failing,  it makes me wonder how the cost-a-packet boutique Cat7 "audio" cables would perform.  Cat7 is not a EIA/TIA standard BTW. 

Re SQ,  I use MeiCord Cat6 & the manufacturers do not produce a Cat6A (500MHz) because it does not sound better than Cat6 (250MHz)  although they say that they are constantly looking to find something.    

For fair comparisons sake, was the previous cable installed for a long time?  Did you uninstall/install it before the swap for a better comparison?  If the old cable has been installed for some time, you could just be hearing the difference of cleaning the contacts from uninstalling/installing cables.

 Also why the .75 length?  If it's a digital coax, should be using a 1.5m length to prevent reflections (that is, if your using rca ends) from impedance miss match.