optical cable
- Thread starter nandac
- Start date
corElement
Well-Known Member
Optical cables do not benefit from audiophile grade material improvements as the data over the cord is encoded in 0 and 1's. So any will do really.
Thad E Ginathom
Well-Known Member
As with all cables, they would benefit from being made well from decent materials. It's actually easier to conceive of those 1s and 0s getting interfered with by poor quality fibre than by poor quality copper: one can't see clearly through dirty glass!
On the other hand, although it is almost a decade since I used optical cables, I never had one that did not function perfectly, including a couple that were several metres long. The only difficulty I experienced was when a unit had been pushed back against the wall and the optical cable was bent. Even if it is not broken, there is a limit to the radius that a toslink cable can be bent: after that, the light transmission is reduced. Someone who actually listened in physics class might be able to explain this
On the other hand, although it is almost a decade since I used optical cables, I never had one that did not function perfectly, including a couple that were several metres long. The only difficulty I experienced was when a unit had been pushed back against the wall and the optical cable was bent. Even if it is not broken, there is a limit to the radius that a toslink cable can be bent: after that, the light transmission is reduced. Someone who actually listened in physics class might be able to explain this
baijuxavior
Well-Known Member
I am using a Belkin optical cable and I since the cable is 6ft, I have coiled it in perfect circles. Never found any problem with audio.
Thad E Ginathom
Well-Known Member
As long as the circles are big enough, there should be no problem. It is only if the bend is too sharp. This happened to me: I thought I'd broken the fibre, but as soon as stopped the box pushing it against the wall, it became normal again.
My PC <--> Hifi long opticals passed, under a carpet, across a busy doorway. They never suffered at all from being walked on.
My PC <--> Hifi long opticals passed, under a carpet, across a busy doorway. They never suffered at all from being walked on.
ranjeetrain
New Member
There is no such thing as an "audiophile optical cable". But "audiophiles" beg to differ.
As have been said above already, unless the cable uses fiber of semi-transparent plastic (something I have never seen on the shelf), and unless one twists them beyond their "limit of tolerance", they just work. They are not susceptible to any kind of interference unless they are physically damaged.
Infact, optical connections are so good under normal usage conditions (so immune to interferences and other disruptions) that they work even without a physical connection. If you want to validate this, try this:
While the music is playing, disconnect the TOSLink and hold it facing the same direction as it was. Music will continue to play. Remove it out of the path so that the light transmission breaks, music will stop. Bring it back in alignment with the connector so that light transmission continues, music will resume. Play with it as long as you want, no harm. So, in a way, a TOSLink cable can be used as a MUTE button. But I strongly recommend not to use this feature as an alternative to MUTE button, as a number of "audiophiles" use analogue cables as "tone controls".
As have been said above already, unless the cable uses fiber of semi-transparent plastic (something I have never seen on the shelf), and unless one twists them beyond their "limit of tolerance", they just work. They are not susceptible to any kind of interference unless they are physically damaged.
Infact, optical connections are so good under normal usage conditions (so immune to interferences and other disruptions) that they work even without a physical connection. If you want to validate this, try this:
While the music is playing, disconnect the TOSLink and hold it facing the same direction as it was. Music will continue to play. Remove it out of the path so that the light transmission breaks, music will stop. Bring it back in alignment with the connector so that light transmission continues, music will resume. Play with it as long as you want, no harm. So, in a way, a TOSLink cable can be used as a MUTE button. But I strongly recommend not to use this feature as an alternative to MUTE button, as a number of "audiophiles" use analogue cables as "tone controls".
ranjeetrain
New Member
I want to add, the difference between a bad and a good optical cable for digital transmission can only be in terms of build quality, finish, aesthetics and such. Better material would make for a cable that can take some physical abuse, such as it can be cat-proof or so. Expensive ones may come in exquisite finish and complement a decor. So if the cable must remain in view the buyer may want one that looks great.
But, they all work the same, unless you twist/bend/damage physically by other means so that the light transmission breaks.
But, they all work the same, unless you twist/bend/damage physically by other means so that the light transmission breaks.
Using the same Belkin cable and no problems with it. Highly recommended and easy on the wallet too at Rs. 599 IIRC.
TheCoolestOne
Active Member
I have been using belkins since a year now and no worries at all. The quality of materials is good too. MX are also nice and affordable too. Though I havent used them personally, many friends are using MX and are happy with it.
The use of optical cables is a wise decision as it allows minimum loss of energy.
You should go for an optical cable that is quite flexible so that it relays impulses at 99% accuracy.
Thad E Ginathom
Well-Known Member
Flexibility has nothing to do with accuracy at all.
There is a bend diameter beyond which the signal will not be reliable passed. This is to do with the internal reflection. Or something... Google knows better than I do.
There is a bend diameter beyond which the signal will not be reliable passed. This is to do with the internal reflection. Or something... Google knows better than I do.
ranjeetrain
New Member
@^^
Congratulations! Prolink makes some good cables. Too bad they are not so well-known around here. But they will catch up soon I guess.
"if sq is good with it, why is it that stereo amps do not support such a connection? "
Because such a connection is for "digital data transmission". This connection can transmit data that will be decoded. A stereo amp is by and large an analogue equipment. It needs analogue signal as input and provides analogue signal as output.
Congratulations! Prolink makes some good cables. Too bad they are not so well-known around here. But they will catch up soon I guess.
"if sq is good with it, why is it that stereo amps do not support such a connection? "
Because such a connection is for "digital data transmission". This connection can transmit data that will be decoded. A stereo amp is by and large an analogue equipment. It needs analogue signal as input and provides analogue signal as output.
Stereo amps are just amplifiers and don't function as DACs. Only CDP/DVDP/Sound Card/External DACs will perform the function of converting digital signals into analog which will then be amplified by an amplifier.
But some equipment will combine features of both DAC and amplifier especially a headphone amplifier (Audioengine D1, Arcam rPAC). Also, some products from Cyrus (8 DAC), Peachtree (iDecco), Bryston, NAD (375BEE) function both as a DAC and an integrated amplifier. I've heard the Bryston and Peachtree and was impressed with both.
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