Are DIGITAL COAX Cables specific? newb..sorry

[gentlejax]

I want to use the Digital Coax inputs and outputs on some of my components...


I searched for this , this morning, but not 100% sure on the answer...

Is there a difference in a regular RCA cable and the single Digital Coax cable?

I dont want to buy more cables if I can use what I have already ...

thanks
Mike

 

[MDS]

A coax cable used for digital audio should have a characteristic impedance of 75 Ohms. That's pretty much the only requirement.

You can use RG6 (the type that carries the cable signal into your home), a cable specifically labeled 'digital coax', a composite video cable, any one of the component video cables, a cable labeled 'subwoofer' cable, etc. All of those are 75 ohm cables with RCA connectors on the end.

Note too that nowadays even cables labeled 'analog audio' are often 75 Ohm cables as well. It's cheaper for the manufacturer to make all the same cables and just change the colors of the RCA connectors.

 

[jonnythan]

Try any old RCA cable you have lying around. As MDS notes, any video or subwoofer cable will be of the right spec.. but if you don't have any, try any old RCA cable.

The nice thing is that if you get sound, your cable is good enough. There is no improvement to be gained from upgrading the cable. If it works, it works.

 

[skriefal]

If you do elect to use 'any old RCA cable', then watch for dropouts or other interruptions of sound. If you encounter anything like this, then get a standard composite video cable or 'digital' cable to replace the 'old' cable.

 

[mtrycrafts]

If you do elect to use 'any old RCA cable', then watch for dropouts or other interruptions of sound. If you encounter anything like this, then get a standard composite video cable or 'digital' cable to replace the 'old' cable.

If his distance is not long, even a coat hanger would work So, any interconnect should work just fine.

 

[markw]

Agree.

If you do elect to use 'any old RCA cable', then watch for dropouts or other interruptions of sound. If you encounter anything like this, then get a standard composite video cable or 'digital' cable to replace the 'old' cable.

But considering I used a yellowed, cracked, and stiff audio interconnect I bought from Lafayette in the early 60's for this and didn't encounter any problems, I think he'll most likely be fine.

The only reason I wound replacing it was simply because it was utt bugly and it wasn't flexible enough for my tastes.

 

[pikers]

A 75ohm video cable is just as capable, and likely to be cheaper.