since the AC 12 was considered PSA’s best HDMI cable will it ever be offered again? Sorry if this topic has been covered elsewhere I looked but couldn’t find it
Since on one else replied … I believe it was discontinued due to low demand and high cost. That cable used silver wire, the price of silver being more volatile than copper. I know there are a number of other high end HDMI cables available, so perhaps it wasn’t worth the effort. Another possible contributor is the new DS is more immune to source differences, the need for high end cables being less important.
Thanks was just wondering, I do hear the differences between USB and power cables with the DS, I guess HDMI input is more immune to differences
Sorry, I had wanted to reply but got waylaid. At this point I suspect we will not again make the cable. We originally did because at the time there were no well designed high end HDMI cables on the market. Yes, there were some that had better specs but none paying attention to the things we felt were important for audio. And it’s instructive to remember that when we invented the HDMI I2S protocols, now in use by several fellow manufacturers, no one in the industry was using HDMI for such purposes.
But now, after several years of use and acceptance, there are numerous fine models of HDMI cable available. Thus,. there’s little reason for us to also build one.
Thanks let me know if you have any good recommendations
One that is available and has been specifically designed for digital audio HDMI applications like the PS Audio PWT is the Harmonic Technology Magic Audio Only HDMI cable.
mb1534 said Thanks let me know if you have any good recommendationshttp://www.psaudio.com/products/ac10-hdmi-cable/
I’ll second Mark’s recommendation. I have two AC-12 HDMI that are the best I’ve ever heard. Next best are these AC-10 HDMI cables, though that 3 meter length is often impractical. The AC-10 are fantastic for video, I don’t really see a difference between them and the AC-12 for video. I’ve used a Mapleshade Audio HDMI cable and a VooDoo Cable HDMI cable with the DirectStream as well and they are almost or perhaps about as good as the AC-10.
Unfortunately, I can’t support the AC-12 HDMI followers. I used to have it as connection in my PWT/PWD MK.II combo and wasn’t impressed at all. The sound was edgy, flat, somewhat “sharp” and the resolution was so so… Okay, the price tag of the AC-12 HDMI wasn’t that high. Now, I’m using a specifically made Heaven’s Gate Audio Ultra Extreme HDMI cable, which I bought pre-owned. This cable is awesome; fast, very good soundstage and detailed. You are giving away a lot of SQ if you are using an AC-12 HDMI cable, in my opinion… 
@arcus7, what was the price new on that cable?
~ $1,600
I have used the AC 10, AC 12 and the Harmonic Technology Magic HDMI cables. Currently I am using a Pink Faun IL2 HDMI cable ($800.00) with very good results. The difference is a much larger soundstage in both width and depth.
Unfortunately, I can't support the AC-12 HDMI followers. I used to have it as connection in my PWT/PWD MK.II combo and wasn't impressed at all. The sound was edgy, flat, somewhat "sharp" and the resolution was so so…
I believe with the DS the cable is not as important.Ted Smith has stated this a number of times. I have the AC10 hdmi that I use with my DS and have compared it with coax and optical. I can not hear a appreciable difference in sound quality between any of the three. I never owned the PWD and have read that the type of connector used with it can make a discernible difference. To spend big money on a hdmi for the DS seems a bit like overkill.
Just picked up a used HDMI AC12 for $200 on audiogon. Getting ready for a shootout against el cheapo cable, and nordost silver screen (recommended by Ted B0. If the cables in the $200 range used (Nordost, PS audio) beat the el cheapo in an A/B shootout, I’ll keep them and may even try moving up the HDMI cable food chain. If not, they go back on audiogon.
I’m looking forward to your results.
edorr said Just picked up a used HDMI AC12 for $200 on audiogon. Getting ready for a shootout against el cheapo cable, and nordost silver screen (recommended by Ted B0. If the cables in the $200 range used (Nordost, PS audio) beat the el cheapo in an A/B shootout, I'll keep them and may even try moving up the HDMI cable food chain. If not, they go back on audiogon.+1 also looking forward to the results. About to go down the path of researching the forums and determining about these cables.
I just stumped up for a second hand USB cable that is silly expensive (my books) new, and still silly expensive second hand, for a digital cable sending digital information…
… unless there is something else going on, which I don’t understand, related to the RF / Noise or Power aspects that I don’t appreciate and won’t be able to explain…
… I’ll A/B and see what I hear. I’ll have to get a good cheap USB for comparison purposes as well. Also, I don’t have power cords / filtration at this point, either, so the results could be confounded, I suppose…
… I don’t mind overpaying for 1 second hand USB to resolve the query … fool me once, shame on ‘them’, etc…
Has anyone here tried the Blue Jeans/Belden HDMI cable? I know PS doesn’t use it as an HDMI cable, but wonder if one that meets HDMI spec can sound good in this application, too. http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/hdmi-cables/hdmi-cable.htm
The PS Audio HDMI are HDMI spec, they work wonderfully (!!!) as video cables as well. I tried a number of HDMI cables (cheap, expensive) on the PWD Mk II and they all sounded different, the AC-12 being a clear winner. So I’ve just stuck with that. I believe that with the DirectStream cable differences are far less pronounced, but I haven’t tried any other, so happy with the AC-12. But Ted worked hard to make each input sound the same, with little impact from cabling, and it sure wouldn’t hurt to try a Blue Jean.
lonson said The PS Audio HDMI are HDMI spec, they work wonderfully (!!!!) as video cables as well. I tried a number of HDMI cables (cheap, expensive) on the PWD Mk II and they all sounded different, the AC-12 being a clear winner. So I've just stuck with that. I believe that with the DirectStream cable differences are far less pronounced, but I haven't tried any other, so happy with the AC-12. But Ted worked hard to make each input sound the same, with little impact from cabling, and it sure wouldn't hurt to try a Blue Jean.Best HDMI I have ever used with my Pioneer Kuro plasma. AC-12 cable. Magnificent for video.
davidkak said Has anyone here tried the Blue Jeans/Belden HDMI cable? I know PS doesn't use it as an HDMI cable, but wonder if one that meets HDMI spec can sound good in this application, too. http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/hdmi-cables/hdmi-cable.htmI've got one but haven't tried it yet. I will give it a go today and report back.