New Poll - CD, Streaming from PC/NAS, Streaming from Web only?

[Richard]

Originally Posted by Phil Y

Hello Richard,

When I get a minuite, I will try the RG59 again and check that I can still hear a difference. I didn't swap back and forward at the time, I just said to myself "OK, so I need to order a cable along with the DAC"
You never know, it might have been a dirty connection or something.

Phil.

Thanks Phil, (sorry just noticed you'd posted before Col)
Be interesting to hear what you find re-visiting this.

I think a ground connection via the braid both ends is the usual way for a coax SPDIF cable but it can sometimes cause an earth loop if the units are already earthed or grounded.

The AES standards and some better gear provide a transformer coupling to stop this, otherwise we're back to disconnecting one of the grounds or using TOSLINK.

If it's not a safety issue I'd keep the coax cable intact, to ensure a good signal and ground for the digital signal, then isolate the offending unit's extra earth/ground connection elsewhere (probably mains or to another unit).

Fortunately SB and many dacs aren't mains earthed so keeping the ground connections linked in a single chain is often possible.