Digital cables having a standard impedance, for instance 75 ohms for SPDIF coaxial and 110 ohms for AES/EBU cables, are not only influenced by factors in the cable itself, but also by factors within the connector used. My experience shows that manufacturers often tend to comment very loosely when asked about the technical specifications of the RCA and XLR connectors they use. I get comments along the lines of “that doesn't really matter much”. When I asked JIB about the connectors they use, I was informed that the specifications of the 24 carat gold plated connectors are integrated in the engineering of the total technical concept. Their connectors give a remarkable impression. Their individual parts fit solidly together and confirm an elaborate construction. The connectors on the SPDIF cable can be tightened with a twist onto the audio component's jacks which guarantees a solid, tight, proper connection. The two SPDIF cables are constructed with different materials. The least expensive Digital Diamond SPDIF cable from the Premium Line is made using high value OCC-6N copper stranded wire and has the largest gauge among all three cables. JIB quotes all wire sizes in their products in AWG. This stands for American Wire Gauge and the specification is used in markets worldwide. This is a somewhat confusing specification for those living in countries with the metric system standard as a lower AWG number means a larger wire diameter. The 20 AWG in the Digital Diamond is achieved by weaving seven times eight single strands each having a diameter of 0.12 mm. Applying a special production process created by Professor Ohno in Japan, the high purity OCC-6N copper takes on a structure in the whole wire which comes close to being a single crystal. This mono-crystalline structure guarantees excellent conductive properties.

Both the higher priced SPDIF Silver Carbon as well as the symmetrical Silver Digital Krypton cables profit from the better conductivity properties of silver. The 22 AWG wire used in the coaxial Silver Carbon is interwoven using 40 mono-crystalline single strands each having a 0.12 mm diameter and individually silver coated. As higher frequencies in AC current tend to flow along the outer surface of a conductor because of the skin effect the silver coating on the OCC-6N copper strands improves the current flow through better conductivity. The symmetrical AES/EBU Silver Digital Krypton cable has twin conductors; each having 24 AWG dimensions. Each conductor is interwoven from 19 single strands having the same properties and quality as used in the Silver Carbon. The effective mass of the conductors is hereby less, however, the symmetrical architecture applied guarantees an identical flow of current in the opposite direction as it doesn't flow through the shielding. The inner conductors are not soldered but are affixed using screw type clamps. This improves quality by eliminating the undesirable oxidation influence of solder. PVC is used for the conductor insulation material. White PVC insulation is used for the pure copper SPDIF cable while black PVC is used to insulate both higher priced silver coated conductors. Shielding is always double and consists of a layer of rolled aluminum surrounded by a mesh layer of zinc coated copper. Screw clamp connectors are also in use here to make contact to the shielding. Renderings provided by JIB clearly show all the cable components. The distinct optics are achieved through applying a uniquely designed nylon web outer layer. The blue/green web used on the Silver Digital Krypton is a nylon/cotton mix..

My set-up for the listening tests is comfortable and not complicated. The Melco Network Player is connected to a Mutec Smart Clock using an Audioquest USB cable. This makes AES/EBU and SPDIF outputs available. The same connection possibilities are on the Audio-gd D/A Converter. For the first sound comparison I let the Digital Diamond SPDIF compete against my proven Sommer Cable Carbokab – AES/EBU. I only have to switch the input on the D/A Converter to do a direct A:B comparison. The Carbokab comes from the pro segment and behaves very neutral in my set up. Cables of several well respected brands tested in the past have not been able to deliver a more convincing performance. In comparison to the inexpensive SPDIF from Boaacoustic, the Carbokab had to experience defeat. The Digital Diamond was convincing in many music genres and definitely superior in reproducing classical and other technically good recordings with better structured bass and foundation. The cable presented the sound stage with more depth and the music was performed more lively. Only the digitally remastered Rolling Stones album Aftermath from the 80's sounded thin and somewhat nerve irritating. The Carbokab made the questionable tonal balance of this recording a bit more tolerable.