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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

Showing 2 responses by audioengr

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

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

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