Does a ripped cd onto a digital format sound better than the cd played on the cdp

A lot of expensive digital cables don't state whether they are controlled impedance cables or what that impedance is. I suspect some are but I don't buy them unless they have stated impedance. Granted, 44KHz is not overly fast for terminated transmission lines but termination is never a bad thing in data transmission.   Besides, a properly terminated line with the proper transmitter impedance and characteristic cable nullifies the capacitance in the cable and the line becomes a purely resistive circuit.

44.1 KHz is not the issue (~2.8MHz actually), it's the risetime that is the issue.  In the textbook case, a proper termination will cause the transmission-line to become resistive, however in real-life it never happens.  There are always reflections and impedance discontinuities.

There is a minor problem is the RCA connector - it isn't possible to get a 75 Ohm characteristic impedance and maintain the physical size of the RCA connector.   BNC's do it just fine but not RCA's.

The problem with RCA is not so much the impedance of the connector, but the inability to terminate it properly to a coax cable and maintain 75 ohms.  This is where the real performance is degraded.  If one uses only properly terminated BNC cables, this problem all but goes away.  75 ohm BNC to RCA adapters are actually quite good.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

Since signal moves in cable at about 5ns/m then 3ns corresponds to about 0.6m. Any cable longer than that (including all internal connections of the source and receiver) will behave like transmission line (might have reflections).

It’s not sufficient to have the cable acting as a transmission-line. The inevitable reflections must be avoided at the receiver by selecting optimum lengths. This is why I recommend always at least 1.25m length or 6 inches, nothing in-between that. See this white-paper I wrote years ago on the subject:

https://positive-feedback.com/Issue14/spdif.htm

Steve N.

Empirical Audio

if you do have a music server/Mac/pc in your audio room, the best interface is i2s which nobody uses. I use Ethernet with cat7 cables since my dac has a network card built in, IMO, the only way to go.

I use I2S and many of my customers do also. Most of my products have I2S outputs and inputs. The problem with I2S is the lack of galvanic isolation and expensive cables, otherwise I love it because it does not get reclocked in most DAC’s. My S/PDIF is just as good BTW.

I agree with you on Ethernet. It’s the only way to go. There are still hoops to jump through to get great SQ however, like:

1) AQVOX or SOtM switch

2) CAT8 cables, Wire-World Platinum

3) Ethernet cable isolator, EMO EN-70e

If you do all of these, it will make a huge difference.

Steve N.

Empirical Audio