What digital cable are you using with your Audio Note UK DAC?

Curious what digital cable everyone is using with their Audio Note UK DAC.

I have a small system consisting of the following: Audio Note UK AN-K/SPx SE speakers, Oto Phono SE Signature, DAC 2.1X Signature, and SoTM SMS-200Ultra Neo/tx-USBultra SE to stream.

I've had fun demoing quite a few digital cables over the past few months, and I'd like to see if there are others I should be considering.

Here's what I've tried so far:
AN Sogon 50
AN Brown Pallas
AN Black Pallas
AN-V or Vx (I can't remember which)
Nordost Valhalla 2 digital
Wireworld Platinum
Kondo KSL-LP
High Fidelity CT-2
Crimson Link
Silversmith Palladium
Snakeriver Boomslang

As it would turn out, I found the best sounding cables in my system were also the most expensive ones Valhalla 2 Digital and Black Pallas. Two different overall presentations, but both had it all: resolution, dynamics, tonal color, weight, speed. Whereas the others were all lacking in at least one of those aspects. The price tag on both is hard for me to swallow, so I settled with what I already own which is the Sogon 50....which is just ok in this position.

Curious if anyone has found any gems that are especially good in the digital position for AN systems?

 

Triode Wire Labs Spirit 75 S/PDIF is a great match. Seems to just stay out of the way.

 

You'll probably hate me, but I suggest you try Sootto. Alternatively, there is also a nice Stealth cable

 

I like Audio Note’s ISIS cable. I’m always impressed with its versatility actually. Peter recommended the white Pallas for my system, but it’s hard to justify the cost on paper. Perhaps if I heard it I’d think differently.

I suppose another option would be to seek out the guy who makes the Pallas cables for Audio Note. He does have his own range of products under the name Cut Loose Audio which pop up for sale used from time to time. I’ve never tried any of his products myself though. I hear you have to call him directly as he doesn’t have a website, he doesn’t sell through any dealers, and he doesn’t use email...

 

Having just taken delivery of an Audionote dac 0.1x l tried a Belden digital cable ( budget but good ) the leader loaned me some AN SPX ( l think) which is considerably more expensive and this thing is almost worth the money, it is superb- even non cable believers would be able to hear the difference in sound.

 

Maybe Vx, SPx is a speaker cable.

 

After recently auditioning 3 different digital cables I was astonished at the impact on the SQ

 

I too am looking for that gem between my AN Dac and AN transport. I am currently using a Brown Pallas and was interested in getting the Black Pallas but heard they are no longer made. Somewhere on this thread it was mentioned AN is coming out with some new digital cables but I have not been able to get any details from my dealer. How would you describe the different presentations between the Black Pallas and the Valhalla 2?

 

Guys,
You do realize that the AN DACs being talked about here (DAC 2.1X Sig) is based on old NOS chips with okay noise floor by today's standards, relatively high jitter and inherent ultrasonic noise on account of the absence of filtering.

It's not like there is a need for a great cable because you're not going to be transporting higher data rates to begin with (no 24/192+ for example). Considering many DACs these days can do high resolution with lower noise and not even pick up abnormal distortion from standard digital cables, to suggest that the AN DAC needs special, higher quality cables and that there are truly audible differences suggest that the DAC must be terribly sensitive to interference! That speaks rather poorly for the product if this is indeed the case. IMO, for those who like these kinds of DACs and feel that there is some "magic" in the AN DAC sound, it's not going to be found in your digital feed, and I do not believe the cable can improve the sound.

As I've said before, I have no problem with folks buying expensive stuff and enjoying it. Have fun!

However, if the money could be used elsewhere, before taking out that credit card (or proceed past the return period), I'd certainly invite a friend over or have your spouse attach an inexpensive cable vs. one of the fancy ones a few times unsighted and convince yourself that it makes a difference. The $$$ spent on some of these cables could buy some nice music or easily pay for a streaming subscription for the year...

 

From my streamer to my AN DAC I use something called NLE 61 from a small Danish one-man company, which is now closed. They are very well-made and are very good value if you can find them used, but they are not the best there is. A friend of mine is building a digital cable for me. I tried a prototype, and it sounded great but there were too many problems with the DAC not being able to lock on the signal.

 

I have the Oto Line SE Sig and DAC 2.1x/II Sig and am very happy with the ISIS digital interconnect albeit with some older UK AN-Es. I think the ISIS cables are a real value spot, the mains cables on my DAC, Amp & CDT Two made an instant difference, though I added them all together so can’t offer any insight into whether any more than other. I’m using AN- Lexus analogue and will probably try ISIS there too.

I’ve heard the Black Pallas cables with kit further up the AN ladder and thought the improvement was well worth the cost (if your DAC and Transport aren’t too far apart). I heard the chap who made them may have retired from this now though.

If you get chance to try the ISIS I’d be interested to hear your impressions against those you listed. Possibly the synergy of copper at that level may surprise (I hope perhaps unrealistically!). My speakers will probably be the next sensible upgrade before I change mine out but it would be interesting to have an interconnect upgrade in mind.

 

I did these comparisons almost a year ago, but I took notes!

Compared to each other. Both have a high resolution, powerful sound, with excellent tonal color. Black Pallas has a thicker, richer, weightier sound, but is still fast and very musical. I thought it smoothed over the micro details, but then realized the it was all there - just didn't draw too much attention. Black Pallas made it easy for me to focus on the music, rather than focusing on the details and all the other cool audiophile 'effects'. Valhalla 2 - a little higher resolution, very fast, tight, very detailed. More air and space. More incisive sounding and still musical, but it didn't capture my attention like the Black Pallas did.

That was just my observations with my system at the time. My experience with digital cables is YMMV, so I'd recommend finding a good dealer that will let you take the cables home for your own auditions. I'm fortunate to have some good dealers in my area.

 

Thanks Three quid, I appreciate your input

 

Same but XLR terminated.