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  1. #1

    digital cable of choice for N10 coaxial vs USB

    Hi there
    New owner of a N10 here, wondering what do you guys use as digital cable to your DACs.
    Do you prefer USB or SPDIF interface?
    Of course using USB the DAC's clock takes control and on coax the N10's clock steps into action.
    If you also can name your cable brand of choice, that would be very interesting.
    I for myself compared an Ultra USB from Transparent vs a (borrowed, unknown brand) coaxial. The results are mixed on my side, to be honest, that's why I want some advise from your experience.
    I use an Accuphase DC37, don't know which clock is more refined, Accu's vs N10's.
    Cheers, thanks in advance.

  2. #2
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    Re: digital cable of choice for N10 coaxial vs USB

    Welcome to the forum, thank you for joining.
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  3. #3

    Re: digital cable of choice for N10 coaxial vs USB

    Nice to meet you

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    digital cable of choice for N10 coaxial vs USB

    Thanks for your question. Clearly each person will have his/her own preference here and it’s important to draw your own conclusions based on the unique attributes of your own system and listening environment. This said...

    I have a N10 and have been using both the USB and the AES/EBU outputs for quite some time.

    In the past I think I preferred AES/EBU when listening to PCM. Today however I use an Ansuz D2 USB cable exclusively going to my dac, a Lampizator Pacific. I also use a Kubala Sosna Realization USB cable from time to time. Another top performing cable in my opinion...

    I’ll leave you with this thought... if you feel you have a world class dac and are confident in its clock you may satisfied with the USB connection. If however you feel you want to derive max benefit from the capabilities of the N10, coax may be your preferred choice. Hope this helps and congrats on a great component such as the N10!


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  5. #5
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    Re: digital cable of choice for N10 coaxial vs USB

    AES should have a more consistent sound , due to there being less non spec compliant makers.
    what most don't know or don't care is that there is specs for all we use . What makes them sound diffent mostly has to do with jitter caused by a host of reasons . The Dac and your aurendar each have an imp the difference of them and what the cables change by being off spec make the sound vary greatly .
    If your dac does not need usb power , use a power cutter. Next I would buy a simple sub 2.0 and 3.0 printer cable. They will give you a baseline to use.
    After this if usb try one that has the least effect again a baseline to guide you.
    After this begins what you feel you need. Others may have other views on this too.

  6. #6

    Re: digital cable of choice for N10 coaxial vs USB

    @La_Dolce_Vita, @Alrainbow: Thank you very much for your input. I use an Accuphase DC37 DAC, unfortunately no AES. Still experimenting, for me USB has more detail, but Coax it's more... musical, should I say.

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    Re: digital cable of choice for N10 coaxial vs USB

    Quote Originally Posted by ctzzzz View Post
    @La_Dolce_Vita, @Alrainbow: Thank you very much for your input. I use an Accuphase DC37 DAC, unfortunately no AES. Still experimenting, for me USB has more detail, but Coax it's more... musical, should I say.
    Please do let us know how you are making out here...


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  8. #8

    Re: digital cable of choice for N10 coaxial vs USB

    I use both digital cables for my N10 , USB and AES/EBu.
    i find both giving something to music on different resolution files or streaming.
    USB allows for more flexibility playing all DSD files and high 24/384Khz pcm.

    i am using Stealth usb cable and have on loan Ansuz D2 which also sounds great.
    for AES/EBU I use Jorma Digital 110Ohm .

    also have on loan a bnc new cable. All have their strong points.
    other favor streaming and other internal collection.

    so no clear winner on USB vs Coaxial for N10.

  9. #9
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    Re: digital cable of choice for N10 coaxial vs USB

    I’ve been playing around with this recently. I think AES sounds better than USB. I get more weight in midrange and bass.


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  10. #10
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    Re: digital cable of choice for N10 coaxial vs USB

    ctzzzz......I am enjoying the Shunyata Sigma digital coaxial cable between my Aurender N10 and the DAC input to the Esoteric K-01X. I recently replaced a Wireworld Platinum Starlight digital coaxial cable with the Shunyata cable. I am pleased with the improvement in overall resolution, clarity, and dynamics. It is an excellent digital interconnect.

    I also have the Aurender N100H music server in a second system. That music server is connected to a Schiit Audio Yggdrasil DAC with a Shunyata Sigma USB cable that replaced a Wireworld Platinum Starlight USB cable. The Shunyata USB cable delivers a big performance bump, almost like a component upgrade.

    In my opinion you cannot go wrong with Shunyata cables, and the Sigma level cables are truly astonishing.
    Dan

    STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital coax,
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digital cable of choice for N10 coaxial vs USB

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