Optical/Tosslink vs. Coax, which has the best sound?

[PHANofPHUNK]

Wil they both pass PCM, HDCD?

HDCD is the only time I go digital, the rest of the time Im going analog. With the exception of BLU-RAY viewing.

Thanks!!

 

[j_garcia]

For all intents and purposes, they are identical in what they will pass since the specs are the same; only the connection types are different. Exactly what a given player will send depends on the player - some will internally decode HDCD and others will not. I think in my whole collection I only ever had one disc show up as HDCD.

 

[PHANofPHUNK]

Thanks, Garcia.

So I take it they would sound the same?

Also, is your handle a ode to Jerry Garcia? The only reason I ask is, well the obvious, but also the fact your from California and the dead being from the bay area and all.

 

[HexOmega]

Wil they both pass PCM, HDCD?

HDCD is the only time I go digital, the rest of the time Im going analog. With the exception of BLU-RAY viewing.

Thanks!!

As j_garcia mentioned above, they will both pass the signal more or less the same.

There is one difference between the formats, and that's the maximum usable cable length. A high-quality coaxial 75ohm cable should transfer signal accurately up to 15 meters, while an optical Toslink cable is limited to less than 10 meters because of high attenuation.

 

[Seth=L]

Unshielded coaxial cables are susceptible to electromagnetic interference.

Other than that, their sonic qualities are the same in the sense they're are none since the same data is transferred with minimal loss on both connection types. Both cables are capable of handling a bitrate that exceeds SPDIF standards (the format that Coaxial [RCA] and Toslink use). In order to achieve higher resolution you would need to look at HDMI or other connection/format schemes such as AES/EBU which offer 24 bit depth and longer cabling lengths. These other formats present in both balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (BNC) as well as glass optical connection schemes.

 

[PHANofPHUNK]

look at HDMI or other connection/format schemes such as AES/EBU which offer 24 bit depth and longer cabling lengths.

So, If Im playing a disc that is 24 bit, I need to use HDMI to get the 24 bit sound? Digi coax/tosslink will only pass 16 bit??

 

[Seth=L]

Standard redbook CDs are recorded at 16 bit depth and SPDIF has a wall of 20. HDCDs are encoded at 20 bit depth, so SPDIF will allow 20 bit from HDCD.

HDMI will pass 24 bit. I'm assuming this content is on DVD/Blu-ray or some specialized format such as SACD.

Edit: I don't know why I mentioned SACD, I forgot that DSD is 1 bit only.

 

[j_garcia]

Given a choice, I always go with coaxial because it is a more positive connection. HDCD came out prior to HDMI on audio gear, so it can definitely be passed via SPDIF.

Also, is your handle a ode to Jerry Garcia? The only reason I ask is, well the obvious, but also the fact your from California and the dead being from the bay area and all.

Nope, my name happens to start with a J too I've gotten that question a few times.

 

[rnatalli]

I prefer coaxial myself as the connector on the end of the cable plugs in tighter to the input. I've had toslinks fall out on occasion.