Streamer is a Raspberry Pi into a Pi2AES HAT.
DAC is a Denafrips Pontus II.
Everything goes into a Luxman L509X out to either Harbeth 30.2XD or KLH Model 5’s (depending on whim…)
The Pi2AES allows for either AES/EBU or i2S. I’ve tried i2S with a few different cables (including a decent-but-not-crazy Audioquest Mocha), and I just don’t like the sound. Seems harsh, and I get the occasional click/pop. It’s weird. The Pontus allows for several different i2s pin configurations, but I can’t find an i2s setting/cable combo that’s as smooth AND detailed as the AES/EBU connection.
AES/EBU cable I’m using is a very modest Mogami 3080. Like $40 or something. As modest as it gets.
I want to try a higher-end AES cable, just to see if it makes any kind of difference, and wondering if anyone has opinions on what the sweet spot might be.
Is there an AES/EBU cable you’ve found that’s all that? Would you say there’s a price point for these that gives the best bang for the buck? Would you say that, with that particular streamer, the AES/EBU cable i have is as good as it will get?
I’ll buy used, for what it’s worth. Let’s keep the budget under $1000 as much as possible.
PS: I have a slight hankering to get a Lumin U2 Mini, which would employ the same AES/EBU connection.