Tim, yes it's certainly possible that the results you found will occur in many cases.
The cable lengths that will be optimal with respect to the signal reflection effects Steve addresses are dependent on the risetimes and falltimes of the output signal of the particular digital source, which are usually unspecified. They are also dependent on the propagation velocity of the particular cable. And note that 3 feet, which is essentially the same as the length of your 1 meter cable, is the length that he specifically cites as likely to be problematical.
Also, a shorter cable length may result in a reduction in jitter that occurs due to noise pickup, or noise that may be induced by ground loop effects (as opposed to jitter that is induced by signal reflections caused by impedance mismatches, which is what Steve's paper addresses). Whether noise-induced jitter or reflection-induced jitter will be the more significant concern in a given system cannot generally be predicted, IMO.
I should have added in my earlier comment, also, that the 1.5 meter length recommendation will probably be inapplicable if a very short length (perhaps 12 inches or less) is practicable. It is the intermediate lengths, such as 1 meter, that are the concern with respect to the signal reflection issue, assuming reasonably good impedance matches, typical risetimes and falltimes, and typical propagation velocities.
Regards,
-- Al
