10 June, 2014

Brief Review: Belden 1694A and Canare L-5CFB 75 ohm cables

Belden 1694A HD/SDI 18AWG RG6 Serial Digital Coaxial Cable pic: Belden 1694A

Letter from NYC (34) 2014 (6): Belden, Canare
Brief Review: Belden 1694A and Canare L-5CFB 75 ohm cables
Brief Review: Belkin PureAV Coaxial Digital Cable, Part II
Review: Ensemble Dirondo and Dichrono HiDac, Part IV

Revised Dec 26, 2014 (Part C added, see last part of article)
Revised June 18, 2014 (Part B added, see second half of article)

Part A
This article continues my saga of testing out digital cables for my Ensemble  (last installment here).

After the surprisingly good result I got from my Belkin coaxial I was eager to test out 2 cables I had bought a long time ago. Opting for BNC connection, I finally got some BNC connectors and assembled them. But not without encountering some headaches.

Caution on BNC connectors: there are so many types. Aside from the rarer solder-on and screw-on types, most are crimp-on types of various diameter and construction, designed to fit various RG type cables. The Belden and Canare under discussion are both RG-6 types. I made the error of buying RG-59 connectors (Parts Express), and they prove not a good fit and I had to improvise the assembly. So, make sure you get the right RG type connector.


Canare L-5CFB 75 Ohm Digital Video Coaxial Cable RG-6 Type 984ft Roll - Black-by-Canare pic: Canare L-5CFB

Canare L-5CFB (official pdf)
Belden 1694A (official pdf)

Both are stiff RG-6 types, and the diameter is a little too big for the cable to thread through the RG59 connectors that I got.

The Belden 1694A has a long history and is a well proven favorite of professionals and DIYers alike. I got it in the USA, where it typically retails for less than $1/ft. After some hard work I finally improvised the assembly with my misfit RG-59 connectors.

The Canare L-5CFB is perhaps somewhat lesser known, but I have always had good sound from this company's offerings (see the 2T2S interconnect). I actually got this in HK, from the great people at 工程有限公司(深水埗欽州街66号).I happened to have a pair of screw-on connectors so fitting was easy, but if you buy anew, I'd advise you to use Canare's own connectors.

So both cables were assembled without solder.

Sonic Characteristics (Belden vs Canare vs Belkin)
  • Even not run-in, I was shocked by the Belden 1694A's superb transparency, easily a notch or two above the Canare L-5CFB and the Belkin PureAV (coaxial). This is easily the best link the Ensemble setup has enjoyed.
  • The Belden 1694A's transparency comes at no cost that I can detect. It is superbly musical, with utterly natural treble, a huge soundstage, excellent dynamics and rhythm.
  • Although lacking the last degree of transparency, the Canare L-5CFB is very musical and natural sounding, possibly an even better match with a DAC that is on the bright side. I also wonder if my screw-on connector is of lesser quality (nickel type, not as polished) or if it requires more run-in. I have left it connected and will be watchful.
  • In many ways the Belkin coaxial is still excellent and resemble the Canare L-5CFB, but now I can confirm my previous minor reservations (..."Belkin's treble lacks just the ultimate in extension and air; the mid-bass is just a tad too full on certain material and the midrange is slightly recessed...").
  • If forced to compare, the Belden 1694A comes out on top; the Canare L-5CFB second, and the Belkin PureAV a very closed third. But the Belkin can save you the hassle of DIY. In conclusion, all three are incredible bargains.
Part B
After the article was posted, I was delighted to have heard from an old friend, gbronn/GaryB, who contributed the very useful info below:

There are several sources for pre-made cables using Belden 1694a or Canare L-5CFB so people can avoid having to add their own connectors.  One place that is very popular is Blue Jeans Cable.

I've bought 1694a from them and it's reasonably good but only if you are using BNC connectors on both ends.  When I mixed BNC on one end and RCA on the other I thought it was pretty bad.  I've heard others report that mixed BNC and RCA is always bad and that if you can't do BNC on both ends then RCA on both ends is better than mixed.  But I haven't tried this myself.

Markertek also sells premade cables using Belden 1694a, Canare L-5CF and others that I like. Search for BNC to BNC video cables.  Here a direct links for Belden 1694a and Canare L-5CF cables

My favorite cable these days is RG179, which is a very thin 75ohm coax.  Markertek sells a premade version with high quality Trompeter BNC connectors.

It's worth playing with the length of digital cables as well.  Try a 15ft or 25ft cable.  You'll be surprised to find that long cables often sound better.  The thin RG179 is good for this since it's easier to coil up and hide, unlike bulkier cables.


Part C
Recently, during a visit to my friend WSS (here) I got the feeling something is not optimal with his digital setup. Later, I made a Belden 1694A cable for him and also lent him my trusted Kimber D-60. He invited a bunch of friends to the shootout (I was not present) and all declared Belden the winner over even the mighty Kimber, not to mention the resident AN UK digital cable.



18 comments:

  1. Hi Carl! Thanks for the feedback. I am always willing to try professional cables when I have time! Will keep that in mind.

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  2. Amazing how people can describe differences in cable, including nuances, worthy of those of fine wines, but with audio terms - but, when double blind tests are made, they get very confused, and they attribute such descriptions to plain wire when that is included in the tests. Truly a demonstration of the power of suggestion and the placebo effect. When people ask me that cable is considered best, I say the cable that has the best marketing and the coolest name, usually Grecian. The price does not matter because cables are not musical devices and electrons always travel the same speed and the same way. But, , hey, people will believe anything, especially when they don't know anything about it, and having a little knowledge can be worse than none at all when it comes to fooling themselves. Of course, cables must be mechanically sound, with good connections, and sufficient shielding. Just ask the owner of Blue Jeans Cable, be sure to say you want the true skinny. Dave Ladely, Bob Carver Corp LLC.

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  4. This is always a sticky issue. I have heard so many conflicting things like the rca connectors are actually the more critical factor in maintaining a 75 ohm connection needed in digital audio and video, but many seem to agree oddly that belden 1694a is also excellent for analog audio which makes it a cable for everything and flies in the face of all complex braids, dialectrics and other analog tricks.

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    1. My own experience is that coaxial designs (even non-75 ohms) usually sound pretty good. Otherwise I prefer thin and flexible cables with few conductors of lower awg. Large awg stuff and stiff concoctions so beloved of audiophiles usually sound just like that, stiff. Keep it simple indeed.

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  5. Hello, what audio note cable was it, because i want to buy an digital cable, but maybe i buy better the belden, thanks

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    1. Don't know the model number but, yes, the Belden is a SURE bet!

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  6. AnonymousJuly 05, 2023

    Those who claim to be able to hear the difference are a study of the power of subjecting thinking, the power of suggestion. True double blind tests have proven that they fool themselves very effectively. The cable marketers have been very clever, and audiophiles have fallen under the spell of marketing. I have gotten so tired of dealing with this that, if they are so determined to fall under the spell of those who have a vested interests, in the name of monetary gain, that I have replied, under questions, to say "the best cables are the most expensive, with the prettiest outer layer, and with the loveliest Greek name." Too bad they aren't seen, once installed. I did order sanely priced cables from blue Jean Cables in Seattle, WA, each a different color, so that I could easily trace each cable. And I had them cut at lengths that avoided drooping cables. I have found that, concerning audio, they prove that a little knowledge is worse than none at all. I have degrees in electronics and technical arts, three years of college physics and chemistry. Back in 1966, I commissioned Bob Carver to build me the world's most powerful amplifier, over 400 watts per channel as tested at the McIntosh Clinic when they were at Seattle Stereo in Seattle, WA. Dave O'Brien said our amplifier, on three large chassis, was several times as powerful as the most powerful amps available for audiophiles at that time. Mr. O'Brien was amazed at the power and also at the distortion lower than any amp available. Solid state devises of significant power were not available for a few more years. When they did become available, Bob designed a solid state version of my tube amp and started Phase Linear. Bob's solid state amp was tested at the McIntosh Clinic in early 1970, and again blew every amp away, both in power, higher than rated, and super low distortion. Hirsch-Houk Laboratory also tested the Phase Lineaer 700, discovering that, not only was the Phase Linear the most powerful on the market, by far, with the best specs, Dr. Hirsch discovered that, to his surprise, Horowitz on the piano actually did need a significant amount of the Phase Linear power of over 700 watts, an amount of power no other amp at the time could provide. The rest is history, a whole new look at power needed for truly rich and musical sound, far more realistic than previously available to anyone. cheers, Dave Ladely

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  7. Thank you, DJ, for your review on the classic Belden 1694A cable. Further on your review, I have made a 1-meter long cable as my digital interconnect for my Altis CDT-1 and my el-cheapo DAC, it actually sounded exactly like what you described above (amazing transparency, vibrant but natural treble, with, nice tonal balance, and huge soundstage with great details). This is based on SET amplification system with full range single-driver loudspeakers… And now I prefer this Belden cable over my previous favourite Gotham 10070 GAC-1 for last few years! That’s an excellent recommendation from you, DJ. Thanks again for your good works. Cheers /James C

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    1. An old article! Since then I have used the 1694A to even greater effect (with soldered RCA termination) and indeed it maintains its position as top of the heap. Yes, I have the Gotham 10070 but the Belden is just even more natural. The only downside is its stiffness.

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    2. I see the Belden 1694A on eBay, being sold with the Canare RCA RCAP-C53 75 ohm type Crimp Plugs (no soldering is used). This makes sense to me since both, the cable and the plugs are 75 ohms. I wonder if that makes a difference in terms of sound quality.

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    3. Don't know. The Canare plugs have good reputation. Seems cannot go wrong though.

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    4. It seems that the inferior performance of coaxial cables with RCA can be overcome with the cable length of 1.5m. It's the band-aide for the impedance mismatched connectors. Look up John_Siau comment. Here is the link: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/technical-article-digital-audio-cable-reflections-and-dacs.7159/

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  8. Hi DJ, I also use soldered RCA plugs as I don’t really like huge chunky RCA’s with screws! Love listening to my CD music collection more than ever… Thanks again, DJ /James C

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  9. Hi DJ, Can you share your take on RG179 pls? Is it more focused, polished and slightly brighter as compared to Belden 1694a? /JamesC

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    1. Hello old friend. Season's Greetings. I know people swear by the RG179, but I don't have experience myself!

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    2. Noted with thanks! Merry Christmas and happy new year to you, DJ!

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