Is using digital AES/EBU cable in place of an analog XLR cable between preamp and amp ok?

[voodooless]

So, back to bass issues: these can be real, but a cable won’t solve those. They occur if there a DC blocking caps in the signal path. If the impedance the cap sees is high, it acts as ar RC filter, and can cause audible bass rolloff. With a passive pre, you can even get a variable impedance based on level, meaning that bass rolloff will be variable as well.

 

[chaddawkins]

ALPS RK27 "Blue Velvet" or Khozmo ladder type, both quad 10K
Just one 1m pair between the Preamp and amp

 

[voodooless]

ALPS RK27 "Blue Velvet" or Khozmo ladder type, both quad 10K
Just one 1m pair between the Preamp and amp

I think that should still be fine with basically any 1m cable. If there is a bass issue, a cable won’t cure it.

A passive pre will degrade CMRR significantly though. It’s not a very good idea, particularly for a balanced signal.

Better use a proper pre, or the DAC volume control (if it has one). Thus can be had for the same amount of money as such a cable and will actually be transparent.

 

[chaddawkins]

I thought (read) a ladder type stepped attenuator (Khozmo) is suppose to overcome CMRR issues, it's suppose to have extremely tight channel-to-channel matching.

 

[chaddawkins]

The DACT CT2-4 looks like another nice stepped attenuator, I think that's what Goldpoint uses. I am considering the Goldpoint SA1X.

 

[voodooless]

I thought (read) a ladder type stepped attenuator (Khozmo) is suppose to overcome CMRR issues, it's suppose to have extremely tight channel-to-channel matching.

Yes, a ladder resistor should make this a lot better. But you'll still need very good matching (.1%) for the best performance.