Interconnect Cable Questions
General Questions
Q: What type of solder do you use for
terminating interconnect cables to connectors?
A: Mundorf Silver-Gold Supreme solder is used for the Testament and
Statement interconnect cables. Mundorf Silver-Gold solder is used
for the Impact interconnect cables. Mundorf solder was chosen after
evaluating a number of other solders including:
- Cardas Tri and Quad Eutectic
- Oyaide
- WBT
- Wonder
A number of blind listening tests were performed using unbalanced and balanced interconnects of identical materials and construction, where the only difference was the solder used. Test participants were surprised at the differences in sonic signature (warmth, detail, dynamics) of the interconnects when the different solders were used. The general comment was that the cables using the Mundorf solders provided the most balanced presentation (least coloration) of music.
Unbalanced Analog (RCA) Interconnects
Balanced Analog (XLR) Interconnects
S/PDIF Digital Interconnects
Q:Why is 1.5m the ideal length for a
digital cable?
A: Using a digital cable of at least 1.5m in length dramatically
reduces the effect of signal reflection (from the receiver back to
the transmitter) in typical audiophile equipment. Reflection
contributes significantly to jitter in the digital signal. And of
course jitter reduces the fidelity of digital music.
In a perfect world where the impedance of the digital source transport (transmitter), transmission line (all wiring, cables, and connectors in between), and the input receiver (DAC) are all identically matched at the S/PDIF standard of 75 ohms, signal reflection is not an issue. But the reality is that this is almost impossible to achieve, particularly in the transmission line.
The choice of 1.5m is just a practical guideline since no one wants a cable in their system that is too long.
For more technical information on this subject consult the following technical article written by Steve Nugent of Empirical Audio.
AES/EBU Digital Interconnects