Coaxial Cable

[Grimis]

I was wavering between using a digital cable vs an analog from my computer to my receiver (about a 20 foot run) and I think I am going to use analog. The wire will be in wall and If I understand correctly, the optical cable will be more durable. correct me if I am wrong. So my question is can I just use basic coaxial cable to make the run? Thanks

 

[Seth=L]

If you are going to use coaxial why not do a digital connection?

 

[Grimis]

So could I go to RS and buy a 25 coaxial cable and connect my computer to my receiver and get a digital connection? I guess for some reason I didn't think coaxial cable could carry a digital audio signal... even though my cable company does it. DUH!

 

[jcPanny]

Audio connection

Grimis,
Run one coax if you want to make a digital coax connection from the computer to receiver or two for an analog (left and right RCAs) connection. I wouldn't recomment optical for inwall because it is MORE fragile than coax.

 

[Grimis]

Thanks... I was a bit confused. makes sense now. I'm running the cable tomorrow probably. Any run of the mill coax work?

 

[agarwalro]

I was wavering between using a digital cable vs an analog from my computer to my receiver (about a 20 foot run) and I think I am going to use analog. The wire will be in wall and If I understand correctly, the optical cable will be more durable. correct me if I am wrong. So my question is can I just use basic coaxial cable to make the run? Thanks

That reads like a tongue twister for the mind . Just kidding. Like said, use Coax.

 

[captain_tinker]

Grimis,
Well, yeah, it will "work". Some grades of coax do have a little bit better sound though. But all in all it should be fine.

For example, I used an old yellow composite video cable as a digital coax cable at first, it was really thin, not much to it, but then I replaced it with a bit thicker cable that was meant for use as a component video cable, and the sound was noticeably different, I will not say it was worlds away better by any means, but you could tell there was a difference. I also did an A/B comparison with some optical cable, and there again there was a difference in sound, not a very big difference, nor can I say one was better than the other, but it was just slightly noticeable. So I would say go for it with some respectable coax, and you should have NO problem.

Don't get mixed up by some salesman trying to sell you exotic cables. While some of them may be able to quantify their claims on paper, the sound you hear may not be that noticeably different from a regular run of the mill cable. Or the differences that you may be lucky to hear won't be of such an immense improvement as to warrant paying the premium price for them.

-capT

 

[jonnythan]

Your PC has digital coax out?

 

[Seth=L]

Your PC has digital coax out?

Some sound cards do, spdif via rca termination or sometimes mini jack which also houses the optical out.

Grimis, if you get a Coaxial make sure you are using RCA terminations, not F-pin (the one that has threads and a copper wire in the center).

 

[jonnythan]

Some sound cards do, spdif via rca termination or sometimes mini jack which also houses the optical out.

I know. I'm trying to make sure his does, because Toslink is far more common on motherboards and sound cards.

Grimis, if you get a Coaxial make sure you are using RCA terminations, not F-pin (the one that has threads and a copper wire in the center).

That's kind of what I was getting at, but it's worth noting that regular F-pin (the screw-on type) is super cheap, can be run in wall, and only requires the use of an adapter on each end. It is very stiff though.

 

[Seth=L]

It is very stiff and shielded, good for long runs and cheap if you know what you are doing.