When I got my Lumin U2 Mini, which, by the way is simply outstanding, I also changed my DAC.  After much research I felt that the only way to really know what would be the right DAC for me was to acquire a pre owned unit and go from there.

I decided to start with the Chord DACS and bought a mint Qutest.  Shortly after I acquired a mint M Scaler.  With this combination I decided that this was exactly what I wanted.  Then came the itch... Hugo TT2 or Dave???

Fortunately, before buying any more components I decided that I should give the system cables that would be at least at the same level as the Lumin/Qutest/M Scaler.  Feeding the Lumin is the Muon System, from the Lumin is the Vermouth Reference USB cable.  Couldn't be happier with those choices.  What was left was the BNC cables that came with the M Scaler.  

Tonight I removed the stock BNC cables and installed my newly acquired pair of Wave Storm Reference BNC cables.  I started off with Melange, compilation of J L Duport and N Bochsa.  On the cello, Donald Moline and on the harp, Rachel Ferris.  Pressed play and was completely stunned at what I was hearing/feeling.  Long description in brief: gloriously RICH and incisive music!! (not to be confused with warm)

I posted this so that if you are on a similar path I would strongly advise that you don't short change yourself on the cables.  They are just as important as the components.

I strongly believe in cabling, in all areas (digital, phono, interconnects, power). When I had a lot of money to spend as a widower I got great cabling, and to be honest, it took a long time for my sources etc. to catch up, they showed me everything, which for a while was not the best thing! But when you get to the point that your components are great and cabling is showing the really good things it's an amazing experience.

At the moment my digital cabling is either HDMI via I2S or glass Toslink. I'm using long discontinued PS Audio HDMI AC-12 silver cabling--I've tried about six other HDMI cables and prefer these for my two DSD DACs between the DMP and PST transports. And though I haven't gone way up the chain in optical cabling I am using Lifatec for Toslink--I think it's the most neutral I've found.

I'm not using AES/EBU at the moment but I have a Van de Hul cable that is excellent imo that I can use. Nor am I using Coaxial RCA at the moment but I have a Take Five Audio Neotech "Deluxe" that I have used and really like--meaty sound.

I never use USB.

The digital cabling journey has been a bit of a bumpy ride for me and I am certain that it is not over yet.

What I have found works best for me is trying to minimize digital cabling as much as possible.

Ghent Audio JSSG Ethernet cables work in my system as well as $1000 dollar plus Ethernet cables.

USB when implemented well on both ends works best for me, but cabling does matter with regards to sound quality, I hate to say it, but here the $1000 plus cables make a difference.

Fiber optic cabling can make an enormous improvement, while the cable is cheap, you will spend close to $1000 for a high quality FMC and power supply, which needs to be placed directly before the destination.

Digital coax is another area where you get what you pay for and the more you pay the better it gets, I try to avoid digital coax.

So what is currently working in my digital/streaming system is as follows;

Ghent JSSG Ethernet from ISP to a Dual fiber media converter.
2 - 20 meter multi mode fibers form the FMC, 1 - to my sonicTransporter i9 and 1 - to the "A" side on an EtherREGEN.
Ghent JSSG Ethernet from "B" side of the EtherREGEN to a Sonore opticalModule Deluxe.
Single mode 1 meter fiber from the opticalModule Deluxe to my Sonore Signature Rendu SE.
Signature Rendu SE out via USB to Holo Audio KTE May.

I do have an external clock for the EtherREGEN which requires a 75 Ohm coax and this cabling is the most finicky that I have ever had to work with.

Quote:


I'm curious what cable you are using for it because upgrading my BNCs (also used for clock signal) is probably my next move. ATM I'm thinking Kimber D60 based on other's experience.

CAJames,

I am using a 12" Belden 4694R Cable with a Mini Circuits BLP-10.7-75+ filter.

I will try to send you the John Swenson white paper.

No luck with email, hopefully this link will work;
https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/topic/62477-john-swenson-tutoring-paper-consi...
derations-regarding-usage-of-external-reference-clocks-etherregen-and-other-sine
-vs-square-impedance-cables%E2%80%94and-a-money-saving-surprise-at-the-end/#comm
ents