I'll try not to make a habit of starting cables threads but the search function here doesn't really aid too much.
So, the new Streamer/Dac wont be too far away in the future. Leaning towards the CA CXN. A couple of questions before I splurge on a bunch of unnecessary accoutrements.
To connect my CD player via the digital coaxial socket I'll need a Digital Coaxial cable. But isn't this fairly much identical to a regular RCA cable, just nominally able to perform at 75ohms. I've a couple of different RCA cables including ones by Van den Hul called The Name which even claims to be capable of 75ohm but no dedicated Digital Coaxial. Will any single RCA be up to the task or will it be left wanting? Or is there a minimum standard that must be met?
When I bought my house 8 years ago I fitted Cat5 cable throughout, future-proofing (!) my connectivity. Now there is Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6A and even Cat7 that all exceed its performance. I'm aware the Cat5 is going to limit any wire that comes after it in the chain so I'm not looking to go nuts. However, is the quality of cable between the socket and Streamer of much importance? Currently I've some supermarket cable, probably picked up for under a fiver, of unknown capabilities but probably built to the absolute minimum standard. It is all a bit twisted and wrinkled but seems to connect fine to my laptop. Would the entry level ethernet cables from say QED or Audioquest be a step up in terms of shielding, speed, etc or is that a foolish path to be wandering? Would going wifi avoid this possible pitfall or does that bring its own complications?
So, the new Streamer/Dac wont be too far away in the future. Leaning towards the CA CXN. A couple of questions before I splurge on a bunch of unnecessary accoutrements.
To connect my CD player via the digital coaxial socket I'll need a Digital Coaxial cable. But isn't this fairly much identical to a regular RCA cable, just nominally able to perform at 75ohms. I've a couple of different RCA cables including ones by Van den Hul called The Name which even claims to be capable of 75ohm but no dedicated Digital Coaxial. Will any single RCA be up to the task or will it be left wanting? Or is there a minimum standard that must be met?
When I bought my house 8 years ago I fitted Cat5 cable throughout, future-proofing (!) my connectivity. Now there is Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6A and even Cat7 that all exceed its performance. I'm aware the Cat5 is going to limit any wire that comes after it in the chain so I'm not looking to go nuts. However, is the quality of cable between the socket and Streamer of much importance? Currently I've some supermarket cable, probably picked up for under a fiver, of unknown capabilities but probably built to the absolute minimum standard. It is all a bit twisted and wrinkled but seems to connect fine to my laptop. Would the entry level ethernet cables from say QED or Audioquest be a step up in terms of shielding, speed, etc or is that a foolish path to be wandering? Would going wifi avoid this possible pitfall or does that bring its own complications?