1.0 or 1.5 m digital interconnect, does it matter?

Steve, if the cable length is not the optimal "sweet spot" length for a given CD-transport, what is exactly the sonic effect? Does one hear a grittier sound with less air? What is what some experts mean when they say the sound is getting less (with regard to this matter). Can one always hear this sound degradation? Btw, a 0.5 m cable length difference is not very significant for interconnect cable in my opinion. It is therefore difficult to believe that it could make any difference at all.

Chris

Whether you can hear a degradation depends on how well the cables are terminated and whether the connectors and cable is 75 ohms etc.. If everything is matched perfectly, then the cable length is less of an issue. It is when there are reflections on the cable that the length comes into play. Most S/PDIF outputs are not 75 ohms, but most S/PDIF inputs are 75 ohms. The cables and connectors vary a lot.

The comparison to an analog cable is not a valid one. Transmission-line effects on an analog cable are usually inconsequential or have small impact. The same effects on a digital cable can make a big difference in jitter.

The degradation is a lot like the sound of jitter. It is high-frequency noise layered on the music that can be described as echoes, halos or sibilance. I do a demonstration at CES each year and most people dont hear anything until the jitter is gone. Then they realize what they have been missing and what the noise is that they have grown accustomed to listening to.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio
Manufacturer

Hi Steve, so according to you one can getting accustomed to jitter? I've read jitter can give the sound an euphoric coloration, is this true? Does jitter also make the sound gritty? So, the companies/experts who are recommending 1.5 m instead of 1.0 of digital cable are talking bullshit?

Chris

Can this length be longer for a BALANCED digital cable? Say 3m or 4m?