The Missing Balanced Link – ddHiFi BC30XLR Interconnect HiFi Cable Review
ddHiFi BC30XLR is a 129 USD interconnect cable and ddHiFi BC44XLR is a 139 USD interconnect cable, both serving a simple, but essential purpose for music lovers, connecting a DAP or digital audio player to an external amplifier, or connect a balanced DAC with XLR outputs to an amplifier using XLR inputs, and today we will see just how do the two cables sound and if they are fit to be part of your next audio system.
Introduction
ddHiFi is one of the companies I really still like reviewing products of, even in the entry-level range. This is because they can actually create relevant, fun accessories that music lovers use and can keep using even with high-end systems. To be honest, the ddHiFi BC30XLR has been part of my audio system for more than a year, and I use it even with some high-end DACs and AMPs, and in this review we will see why. As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases, and using the purchase links in my reviews helps me maintain this website and Youtube Channel. ddHiFi has provided the sample for this review, in exchange for my honest opinion.
PROs – Fully Balanced Design, Very ergonomic, flexible and high-quality, sonically transparent with a smidgen of warmth, no added noise or EMI / RFI that I can hear, outstanding value and performance.
Cons – No cons at this price point.
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3WHGqvE
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_okQVgP3
Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort
Once you go ddHiFi, you never go back, and this seems to be now true more than ever as with ddHiFi BC30XLR I have been using it for months now. This is a set of Pre-Amp signal cables with 3-Pin XLR balanced inputs and outputs. There’s plenty of reason to go XLR balanced, and after almost 1000 reviews written to date I have experienced plenty of times a cleaner, more controlled and more detailed output coming from the balanced output of most DACs.
While most cables have a netting wrapped around the signal to avoid them becoming loose and to give them structural integrity, ddHiFi uses two sets of signal wires arranged in a coaxial structure, with the + signal at the center, – signal in the outer part, and shielding in the outermost layer, to form a double-shielded coaxial structure with three layers of conductors and three layers of insulation. This provides an excellent tensile performance, and creates a better EMI / RFI isolation compared to entry-level XLR cables.
To give us the sound they created, ddHiFi used multiple conductors in the BC30XLR cable, including pure silver arranged in wires with different diameters, mixed with silver-plated OCC and Furukawa Silver-Copper Alloy.
The cross-sectional area of the conductor is up to 22.8AWG, which meets the needs of a large-power transmission, but is great for the DAC preamp signal too. To be more precise, the Plus signal has a diameter of 22.8 AWG, the – Signal has a diameter of 24.3 AWG and the Shielding has a diameter of 21.5 AWG.
With a weight of 120 grams, ddHiFi BC30 XLR is one of the lightest but sturdiest cables that exist out there, it is very flexible, beautiful in person, and even when placed on top of my wifi router and travels on my desk among planar magnetic headphones and power converters, it is fully isolated from the background noise, both EMI and RFI.
Sound Quality
Pairings – ddHiFi BC 30XLR has actually been the link between my DAC and my AMP in may of my reviews, including when reviewing the Musician Pegasus II R2R DAC and connecting it to the Sparkos Gemini, HIFIMAN Serenade and connecting to the Prelude, and when reviewing the Keces S300+ amplifier and keeping it connected to Keces S3 DAC.
Generally BC30XLR can be ordered in multiple lengths either 75cm or 145cm, and ddHiFi made this much longer than their RCA interconnect, the RC20A, because a balanced connection allows for much longer cables to be used with less interference. I would recommend buying the longer version and coiling what you’re not using rather than buying the short one and then somehow needing a longer variant as you upgrade your DAC and AMP.
Overall Signature – To explore the BC30XLR you need to also grab some entry-level cables that could compare, and in general I had a few pairs for which I lost the branding over the years, but using BC30XLR generally makes the sound a bit smoother, a bit warmer, and a bit richer than using the other entry-level alternatives. I am hearing top resolution and details, and while there are some very expensive high-end XLR interconnect cables that have some fluff added in the sonic performance, BC 30 XLR is one of the best examples of how you can get outstanding performance for the money.
The sound is wide, holographic, and a very good default sound, with no interference, no background noise, and with a good body, allowing the DAC and AMP to work together in a beautiful synergy without any other hassle. When comparing the BC30XLR with most cables I have in the same price point, the differences are generally mostly audible in the midrange, where BC30XLR is generally the cleanest and a touch more musical, while most alternatives have a bit more grain and a slightly more edgy sound.
I can settle using it and consider BC30XLR an excellent baseline for any system, and I would recommend it for systems up to a couple thousand dollars just fine, having enough resolution and clarity even for those who are sporting a high-end flagship DAC and AMP.
Value and Conclusion
As with most ddHiFi products, the new BC30XLR is a top performer, for a very low price, it can be the only cable you will need for a long time, and the value is exceptional.
At the end of the day, when a cable is transparent, works well and does not colour the sound much in any way, the review is short, and the takeaway is clear – if you do not have any quality XLR cables in your home, ddHiFi BC30XLR is the best interconnect cable I can recommend at this date, and what I personally have used for over half of the reviews I made over the last year, offering an excellent performance for a low price.
Product Link
Amazon – https://amzn.to/3WHGqvE
Aliexpress – https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_okQVgP3
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Full Playlist used for this review
We listened to more songs than those named in this playlist, but those are excellent for identifying a sonic signature. I recommend trying most of the songs from this playlist, especially if you’re searching for new music! The playlists are different for Spotify, Tidal and Youtube, and based on the songs I enjoy and are available on each!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_cjBXGmwSHSdGcwuc_bKbBDGHL4QvYBu
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5J3oloz8Riy9LxEGenOjQ0?si=979ba4f082414be7
https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/330fd544-8e5b-4839-bd35-676b2edbb3d5
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