2. digital
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How much better is direct BNC vs adapter

Just got my new Chord CuTest and it uses BNC coax and my Bluesound Node2 uses RCA. So I am currently using a RCA to BNC adapter with. Kimber AGDL RCA/RCA cable. I am considering buying a new cable and have it terminated RCA/BNC, but wanted some opinions from fellow Audio-goners, is it worth any further concern  to eliminate the adapter. 
2nd part to this question, is what cable under 500.00 would you pick?

Thank you in advance
128x128theo
12 responses Add your response
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
2,164 posts
 
I have a Nordost Silver Shadow 2 which is terminated BNC on both ends, NAIM server is BNC but Aesthetix Pandora is SPDIF coax, so I use the adapter....IT sounds fantastic and is quite close to my reference AudioQuest Eagle eye which runs adapter free....

the provided Nordost adapter works fine.

Ron Buffington here on Audiogon sells the Silver Shadow II, contact him for a quote...a fantastic cable IMO
tooblue
787 posts
 
I used a bnc adapter for a digital set up from dac to transport and later bought the identical cable with the bnc connector installed by builder, as much as I wanted to hear a difference, I could not. I did have peace of mind on the matter and am sure there are some here with more acute hearing can detect a difference/improvement. A very good cable and for half of your budget is the Acoustic Zen MC2, give it a try. Happy listening.
theo's avatar
theo OP
2,331 posts
 
Thank thank you both, for your responses. You have added to my belief that the adapter really isn’t hindering performance. I am curious to try a few different cables, I brought home a Cardas Clear, but the connector won’t go into the Node2. They have a little guard around the connection although I can use my Golden Ref’s on the analog outputs. And toolblue, I have plans to try the Acoustic Zen, recommended by The Cable Co, thru their lending library. 
marco1's avatar
marco1
124 posts
 
Audio Engineer who participates in these forums sells a $275 BNC cable with RCA adaptors.  I purchased one a few months ago.  Beats the pants off RCA coax cables I have tried for twice the price.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 

Don't do BNC-RCA cable.  Use the BNC-BNC cable with a 75 ohm adapter, not 50 ohms.  For 99.9% of systems you will not hear any degradation with the adapter. You can get them at Markertek.com

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

theo's avatar
theo OP
2,331 posts
 
Audioengr, if I understand you correctly, you are stating that BNC to BNC with an RCA to BNC adapter is better than a cable terminated as required? So the 75ohm properties of the signal are corrected by simply adding a second BNC connector? Just trying to learn.
sun-warrior's avatar
sun-warrior
28 posts
 
The way I understand it - and Audioengr please correct me if needed - that a natively BNC terminated digital cable, 75ohm, with an adapter for RCA, is better than a natively RCA terminated cable, 50ohm, with an adapter for BNC connections.


facten
931 posts
 
the question is why is that the case
bar81
754 posts
 
You should be doing BNC to BNC that is a proper 75ohm with an RCA adapter.
theo's avatar
theo OP
2,331 posts
 
I see now that there have been a couple posts favoring BNC to BNC and using a RCA to BNC adapter. So to echo facten’s question, why? I would like to learn the reason or logic as why this benefits the signal path more than a RCA to BNC terminated cable. Not arguing just learning.
audioengr
3,282 posts
 
Audioengr, if I understand you correctly, you are stating that BNC to BNC with an RCA to BNC adapter is better than a cable terminated as required? So the 75ohm properties of the signal are corrected by simply adding a second BNC connector?

I have explained this many times on this forum.  RCA connectors cannot be properly terminated to coax cable, I don't care what RCA you use.  Coax cables have BNC connectors specifically designed for each type, so that the impedance discontinuity is minimized.  Using RCA terminated to a coax will cause unwanted reflections, resulting in jitter at the receiving device.  Adding a BNC to RCA adapter is usually harmless and does not result in compromised SQ.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

theo's avatar
theo OP
2,331 posts
 
Thank you, Steve
That helps me understand it better. 
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