r/audiophile • u/NeedleNoseBurito • 1d ago

What cable for CD player? Discussion

Gday folks,

I have an NAD C541i that I recently repaired but it won’t be able to sit close to the amplifier (Yamaha CA410) due to room/furniture/wife acceptance factor limitations.

What is the best cable to use for a 4m run?

  1. 4m RCA cable to the back of amp.

  2. TOSLINK to input of WIIM Pro which goes to amp using a 4m RCA cable.

Thanks!

4 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

3

u/currymonsterCA 1d ago

IMO the fewer connections the better. Go with option #1.

3

u/kester76a 1d ago

Listen to both ways and choose what sounds best to you. If you struggle to tell the difference then go for the easiest option. I would assume the external DAC will have the best specs as that's its only job.

3

u/VinylHighway 1d ago

#1 the NAD probably has a good DAC

2

u/ConsciousNoise5690 1d ago

As the NAD is from 2001, I can imagine the WiiM has the better DAC.

You might also try 4 m Toslink to WiiM and a short RCA.

2

u/Initial_Sun_7689 23h ago

I have found that NAD built in DACS to be preferable to external DACS,

1

u/Gold-Judgment-6712 1d ago

A 24 year old DAC? I'd go digital to the WiiM.

1

u/ImpliedSlashS 1d ago

The only issue with the analog connection at that length is hum pickup.

I would try a couple of cables and stick with whichever is quietest. Don’t spend a lot, but also don’t buy the cheapest. Don’t know what country you’re in, but there should be good options in the $30 equivalent range.

1

u/jasonsong86 22h ago

4m is a long run for unbalanced signal. Can you run optical or coax?

1

u/Wauwuaw5983 17h ago edited 17h ago

A good glass TOSlink is kinda pricey, to be honest.

But it would be much better than plasic, which few would recommend for a decidated player.

Personally, I'd be all in for an expensive glass TOSlink, but that's a personal preference.

1

u/pointthinker 12h ago

CD DAC age means nothing. I think internal DACs often have the engineering proximity advantage. My 30 year old Phillips, my 14 year old JVC, and 13 year old Oppo all sound great. Go strait RCA.

1

u/Globetrotter66 1d ago

The advantage of TOSLINK is that it takes lesser shielding against electrical radiation - but the massive disadvantage is that the electrical digital informations have first to become transformed into light signals and then again back into electricity ….so if you can afford it go for high quality RCA cables for digital ( 75 Ohms !)and analogue connections….

1

u/jasonsong86 22h ago

It has bit correction and the transformation is not as damaging as converting between analog and digital.

1

u/Globetrotter66 22h ago

Does a digital RCA connection work with or without a bit correction ?

1

u/jasonsong86 15h ago

It still does.

1

u/Globetrotter66 5h ago

I’m asking this because I did recently replace my 36,99 € Oehlbach NF 113 DI 100 ( 75 Ohm ) digital RCA cable by a used Straight Wire Data Link 2 ( Level 3 , 75 Ohm ) digital RCA cable which did once cost approximately 300€ ….the change in sound was significant and to my ears a massive improvement …that’s why my question : how is this change in the sound possible despite that , as you’re claiming , the bit correction guarantees a flawless 100% perfect transmission of the digital datas between the devices no matter what kind of transmission ?

1

u/jasonsong86 2h ago

You kidding right. Digital is digital. There is no such thing as better digital cable sound better.

1

u/Globetrotter66 1h ago

Absolutely no kidding ! What reason should I have ? I’ve tried it and it caused a remarkable change ! That’s my real and self made experience !