# Best XLR between DS MK2 and BHK Pre? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cables\ **Tags:** dac\ **Created:** [January 16, 2023, 8:30pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/best-xlr-between-ds-mk2-and-bhk-pre/31954 "2023-01-16T20:30:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Job\_Jalink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9a140/32.png) [@Job\_Jalink](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Job_Jalink)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2023, 8:30pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/best-xlr-between-ds-mk2-and-bhk-pre/31954/1 "2023-01-16T20:30:08Z")
I’ll be expecting a MK2 shortly and planning to have an AQ Dragon PC providing it some juice. I’m wondering about what relevant XLR cords of similar SQ could be be added into the equation. Currently, I’m having the Grimm SQM between the Pre and BHK 250. That sounds pretty good, but perhaps I may achieve just a another step higher on the stairs of our Rabbit Hole with just the right investment. Your thoughts, considerations and/or suggestions are highly appreciated! ---
**Author:** ![shankha](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/shankha/32/153968_2.png) [@shankha](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/shankha)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2023, 8:37pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/best-xlr-between-ds-mk2-and-bhk-pre/31954/2 "2023-01-16T20:37:39Z")
Iconoclast. Any of them. Whatever falls on your budget ---
**Author:** ![luca.pelliccioli](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/luca.pelliccioli/32/93681_2.png) [@luca.pelliccioli](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/luca.pelliccioli)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2023, 8:42pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/best-xlr-between-ds-mk2-and-bhk-pre/31954/3 "2023-01-16T20:42:41Z")
Iconoclast UPOCC vs Dragon XLR. I compared them from MK I to BHK Pre, I preferred AQ. Now from the MK II they are sounding great. While from SPP to BHK Pre and from Pre to M1200s my choice was Iconoclast. ---
**Author:** ![Job\_Jalink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9a140/32.png) [@Job\_Jalink](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Job_Jalink)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2023, 9:21pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/best-xlr-between-ds-mk2-and-bhk-pre/31954/4 "2023-01-16T21:21:18Z")
To elaborate a little: I must confess that I’m impressed everytime about the sonic performance of the Dragons. Nevertheless, I’m curious if there are other cables out there that have a similar sonic benefit, or maybe even better. Just asking for some guidance from enthusiastic owners of like equipment. ---
**Author:** ![luca.pelliccioli](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/luca.pelliccioli/32/93681_2.png) [@luca.pelliccioli](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/luca.pelliccioli)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2023, 9:28pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/best-xlr-between-ds-mk2-and-bhk-pre/31954/5 "2023-01-16T21:28:03Z")
The supreme authority in this camp is @aangen, I just compared Invictus Ricable and Nordost Valhalla before my marriage with Dragons. ---
**Author:** ![twablt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df788c/32.png) [@twablt](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/twablt)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 12:02am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/best-xlr-between-ds-mk2-and-bhk-pre/31954/6 "2023-01-17T00:02:32Z")
After 3+ days of break-in on my AudioHarma CableCooker I can proudly say this Tubulus Concentus HDMI i2S cale BEATS my top tier Audioquest Dragon 48 which costs a hell of a lot MORE then $649. > **[Tubulus Concentus I2S Cable – High End Cable Shop . com](https://www.highendcableshop.com/product/tubulus-concentus-i2s-cable/)** You NEED to audition this cable ! ---
**Author:** ![scotte1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/scotte1/32/147_2.png) [@scotte1](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/scotte1)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 12:20am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/best-xlr-between-ds-mk2-and-bhk-pre/31954/7 "2023-01-17T00:20:56Z")
Oh, this is an interesting observation. Any chance you have compared the Concentus with the famous (some say infamous) RAL HDMI/I2S cable…? I currently use an RAL the I purchased second hand and found it to be better than the other I2S cables I had on hand and tried, but only incrementally so. I have avoided the truly, high-dollar (north of US $1000.00) I2S cables thus far and might be tempted by something in the Concentus’ MSRP price range if it offers a bit more performance. (DMP to DS MK I, by the way…) TIA. ---
**Author:** ![spacedghost](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/spacedghost/32/173182_2.png) [@spacedghost](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/spacedghost)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 1:21am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/best-xlr-between-ds-mk2-and-bhk-pre/31954/8 "2023-01-17T01:21:53Z")
Is this the cable you were having a connection issue due to the screws on the MKII? Did they (PS audio) figure out a path? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![spacedghost](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/spacedghost/32/173182_2.png) [@spacedghost](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/spacedghost)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 1:26am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/best-xlr-between-ds-mk2-and-bhk-pre/31954/9 "2023-01-17T01:26:15Z")
Another vote for iconoclast (xlr) ---
**Author:** ![straightwire](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/straightwire/32/123306_2.png) [@straightwire](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/straightwire)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 1:43am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/best-xlr-between-ds-mk2-and-bhk-pre/31954/10 "2023-01-17T01:43:06Z")
Count me in as an Iconoclast fan as well, but taken into context, a same length Dragon is considerably more expensive that the Icono. I have not done this comparison with interconnects or speaker cables for the very fact that if I fell in love with a full House of Dragons I couldn’t send them back. I don’t demo what I can, or don’t want to, afford. Whether self preservation or silliness, I don’t want to pine over the one got away. ---
**Author:** ![vkennedy61](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/vkennedy61/32/41241_2.png) [@vkennedy61](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/vkennedy61)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 3:36am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/best-xlr-between-ds-mk2-and-bhk-pre/31954/11 "2023-01-17T03:36:29Z")
Amen. ---
**Author:** ![twablt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df788c/32.png) [@twablt](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/twablt)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 4:48am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/best-xlr-between-ds-mk2-and-bhk-pre/31954/12 "2023-01-17T04:48:13Z")
No idea what/whom you are referring to but it’s not me. Tom ---
**Author:** ![twablt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df788c/32.png) [@twablt](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/twablt)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 4:49am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/best-xlr-between-ds-mk2-and-bhk-pre/31954/13 "2023-01-17T04:49:21Z")
I also use ALL Iconoclast top XLR i/c’s and LOVE them. Tom ---
**Author:** ![aangen](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/aangen/32/295709_2.png) [@aangen](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/aangen)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 7:28am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/best-xlr-between-ds-mk2-and-bhk-pre/31954/14 "2023-01-17T07:28:18Z")
If an interconnect costs less than $30K why even bother? You will live with doubt and regret each and every day. ---
**Author:** ![aangen](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/aangen/32/295709_2.png) [@aangen](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/aangen)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 7:28am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/best-xlr-between-ds-mk2-and-bhk-pre/31954/15 "2023-01-17T07:28:50Z")
Did I say that correctly? ---
**Author:** ![spacedghost](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/spacedghost/32/173182_2.png) [@spacedghost](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/spacedghost)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 9:10am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/best-xlr-between-ds-mk2-and-bhk-pre/31954/16 "2023-01-17T09:10:40Z")
My apologies, same cable wrong person. [https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566/225](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566/225) ---
**Author:** ![Job\_Jalink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9a140/32.png) [@Job\_Jalink](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Job_Jalink)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 10:19am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/best-xlr-between-ds-mk2-and-bhk-pre/31954/17 "2023-01-17T10:19:22Z")
I’m understanding, I will do without an interconnect in the meantime. 😉 Edit: … and am also suggesting this to those wanting to improve galvanic isolation. ---
**Author:** ![pixelm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e0b2c6/32.png) [@pixelm](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/pixelm)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 12:29pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/best-xlr-between-ds-mk2-and-bhk-pre/31954/18 "2023-01-17T12:29:47Z")
‘Tis I to whom is being referred to. I absolutely love the Concentus on my MK1 dac. But cannot connect it to the MK2 due to the reason stated in the other thread. Are you using the Concentus on the MK2? Have not yet heard back from PSaudio about the screws yet. ---
**Author:** ![gazjam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/258eb7/32.png) [@gazjam](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/gazjam)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 5:14pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/best-xlr-between-ds-mk2-and-bhk-pre/31954/19 "2023-01-17T17:14:44Z")
Can easily spend a LOT of money here… A more budget friendly option for ya. Best XLR hands down I’ve had in my system (not had cables costing the same as a car to be fair) Experimented with “Pro” XLRs (Mogami and the like) this easily bettered them all. California based Grammy award winning Mastering engineer looking for the" ultimate" XLR cable for his Studio, 6 Year research and prototyping before coming to market. A good Hifi story. > **[Our Story](https://ghostcable.com/pages/our-story)** > > Ghost Cable originated in 2015 when two professional mastering engineers, Giancarlo Camera and Robb Robinson, discovered an Italian made cable that effortlessly surpassed any other cable they had tried prior. After rewiring their mastering... Use my Ghost+ between BHK Pre and my big Meridian power amp. Wanting for nothing. Highly recommended. ---
**Author:** ![Job\_Jalink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9a140/32.png) [@Job\_Jalink](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Job_Jalink)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2023, 6:11pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/best-xlr-between-ds-mk2-and-bhk-pre/31954/20 "2023-01-17T18:11:54Z")
Thanks. The price is definitively OK. Sounds a bit like Grimm and that it’s iteration is something to be waiting for. [Next page](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/best-xlr-between-ds-mk2-and-bhk-pre/31954.md?page=2)