Coax versus Optics

[ARNOLD1305]

I will have the option of digital audio between the dvd player and the receiver,

what are the pros/cons of coax versus fiber optics ?

 

[markw]

http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/audioprinciples/interconnects/audiovideocables.php

Two excerpts from this link.

SPDIF (coaxial)

SPDIF is an acronym for Sony Philips Digital Interface and is a CD “Red Book” standard digital audio transfer file format. A SPDIF interface can transport either stereo left-and-right channel information or multi-channel sound. It is typically found on audio and a/v equipment such as CD transports, Laser Disc players, DVD players, some digital satellite products and computer sound cards where it is implemented using an RCA connector. A SPDIF interface is a 75-ohm connection, identical to composite video in specification. Years ago many audiophiles felt that SPDIF offered better sound than the TOSLINK interface discussed below. Improvements in TOSLINK conductors have closed this performance gap and made concern over the interface a moot point.

TOSLINK

Short for Toshiba Link, TOSLINK is also a CD “Red Book” standard that allows for digital audio (both left and right channels or multi-channel sound) to be transported between components using an optical conductor and light as the carrier. Contrary to popular belief, TOSLINK does not use laser light but instead relies on the output of a simple LED. The Achilles heel of TOSLINK is the optical quality of the interface. The plastic conductors used in cheap cables can damage data and compromise performance.

So, basically what it says is that when the electrical/optical connection on the unit is up to par, the connection on the source unit is secure,the TOSLINK cable is a good quality media such as glass or a high quality plastic and it's not bent or more than 20 feet long, the connection on the receiver is tight, and the optical/electrical inrterface on the receiver is up to par, then TOSLINK is just as good as coaxial.

your choice...

 

[MDS]

They are the same in terms of sound quality. One could argue that optical is better in situations where there might be alot of EMI/RFI interference because it is immune to that type of interference. On the other hand, coax cables are less fragile than optical cables and the RCA connectors used on coax is alot less fragile than the toslink connectors on optical cables. In practice, it doesn't matter one bit - use one or the other or both - whichever you have connections for.

The Audioholics links above describe the physical interface - the type of connection from source device to receiver (or decoder). BOTH of them use S/PDIF as the data and communication protocol; ie how the data is formatted and transferred over the cable. That's not really relevant to the question of 'which is better' but I'd like to see Audioholics provide more detailed info on this topic given that it is asked a few hundred times per month.

 

[ARNOLD1305]

Thanks for the insight, I assumed that optics would be better.

I am planning to connect a DVD and CD player to a new receiver, all 3 components can use both coax and optics.

The optics connection I found is,

Professional Metal Shell Toslink cables , POF-TT-MG-1M
from

www.ramelectronics.net/html/audio_toslink_cables.html

Does anyone have feedback on this particular Toslink ?

How would this connection compare to a coax ?

The distance between components is at max. 3 feet.


Thanks,

 

[ARNOLD1305]

Appreciate any comments or feedback on this option for TOSLINK versus coax. Thanks,

 

[MDS]

How would this connection compare to a coax ?

The distance between components is at max. 3 feet.
Thanks,

Those cables look fine. Don't be too concerned with the metal body or the gold plating as they will have zero effect on performance. The metal body will only come in handy if you pull it out, drop it on the floor, and then step on it.

For most practical distances there will be no difference between optical and coax and 3 feet is on the short side. The data rate is very low and the distance very short.

The easiest way to decide which to use is simply look at your available connections. If you have multiple optical jacks (the usual case) but only 1 coax then you might choose the optical to keep the coax available for a device that has only coax, like my digital cable box. I use coax for the cable box and optical for everything else.

 

[markw]

coax is cheaper, more reliable and virtually any old inteconnect will work fine.

Appreciate any comments or feedback on this option for TOSLINK versus coax. Thanks,

simple as that...

 

[Frustrated]

No real price difference anymore

Check E-bay...You can find a lot of good shops who will provide you with high quality cables for a lot less money than your traditional store.

I purchase coaxial for 4,99 Euro 1 meter (double shield, 9mm thick, gold plated) and Toslink optical for 4,99 Euro 1 meter 6mm thick. Both cables are excellent. Like the guy said above, with Toslink optical cables, metal connections and/ or gold plating are useless. The connection is optical, not electrical, so oxidation is not a problem.