Digital Coax versus Analog Interconnect

[mwheelerk]

I read a couple of similar posts in this forum and in a couple of other forums regarding digital coax connection of dvd players to receivers/processors and "low" volume or "muffled" output from dvd sources. It made me wonder if some of the problems described might be attributed to using the wrong cable. Maybe I am overstating the obvious here but remember that all cables (even thought they may look the same) are not created equal.

Digital coax cables that should be used for digital hookup of dvd players have the same rca plugs as a standard analog interconnect but they are definitely not constructed the same. A true digital coax is constructed much like a 75 ohm video interconnect (whether it has rca or s-video connectors). If you are using 1/2 of a pair of analog interconnects for the digital connection buy a true digital coax cable and see if this doesn't indeed improve the audio results from dvd sources for you.

 

[markw]

A digital signal is pretty forgiving. There is really no need to spring for an expensive interconnect simply because it says "digital" on it.

Anything that is 75 ohm, and virtually all interconnects today are, will work although the need for that is even debatable. There's even a guy out there that used a coathanger with excellent results. Maybe Mtry can provide the link if you ask him nicely.

The same holds true for subwoofer connectors. Ain't no magic there either. It's simply another solidly built, properly shielded interconnect of the proper length.

 

[mtrycrafts]

A digital signal is pretty forgiving. There is really no need to spring for an expensive interconnect simply because it says "digital" on it.

Anything that is 75 ohm, and virtually all interconnects today are, will work although the need for that is even debatable. There's even a guy out there that used a coathanger with excellent results. Maybe Mtry can provide the link if you ask him nicely.

The same holds true for subwoofer connectors. Ain't no magic there either. It's simply another solidly built, properly shielded interconnect of the proper length.

Thanks, but that link went away some time back, not sure why.
But, that experiemnt was more than just using it. He measure the digital bits and found no errors. As you indicated, digital is robust

Anyone could experiment this out

 

[mwheelerk]

I Disagree

A digital signal is pretty forgiving. There is really no need to spring for an expensive interconnect simply because it says "digital" on it.

Anything that is 75 ohm, and virtually all interconnects today are, will work although the need for that is even debatable. There's even a guy out there that used a coathanger with excellent results. Maybe Mtry can provide the link if you ask him nicely.

The same holds true for subwoofer connectors. Ain't no magic there either. It's simply another solidly built, properly shielded interconnect of the proper length.

I will respectfully disagree. I have in several instances corrected problems with friends systems by using a cable "designed" for the job and I will strongly disagree that most cables are 75 ohm already.

 

[mwheelerk]

I Disagree

A digital signal is pretty forgiving. There is really no need to spring for an expensive interconnect simply because it says "digital" on it.

Anything that is 75 ohm, and virtually all interconnects today are, will work although the need for that is even debatable. There's even a guy out there that used a coathanger with excellent results. Maybe Mtry can provide the link if you ask him nicely.

The same holds true for subwoofer connectors. Ain't no magic there either. It's simply another solidly built, properly shielded interconnect of the proper length.

I will respectfully disagree. I have in several instances corrected problems with friends systems by using a cable "designed" for the job and I will strongly disagree that most cables are 75 ohm already.

With regards to subwoofer connectors you are correct. Any basic rca interconnect will do the job.

 

[markw]

I heard you the first time.

What sort of problems did you cure?

What type of cables did you need to swich out in order to correct the problem?

How can you be sure of the impedance of those cables?

There are differences between defective and non-functional cables.

The only reason I say this and ask these questions is that I've obtained excellelnt results using a 30+ year old analog interconnect from Radio Shack for digital connections. If anything, these were most likely not 75 ohm cables since at that time, 75 ohm interconnects were not the industry norm as this today. Audio cables were generally in the range of 50 - 110 ohms in those days.

 

[mtrycrafts]

What sort of problems did you cure?

What type of cables did you need to swich out in order to correct the problem?

How can you be sure of the impedance of those cables?

There are differences between defective and non-functional cables.

The only reason I say this and ask these questions is that I've obtained excellelnt results using a 30+ year old analog interconnect from Radio Shack for digital connections. If anything, these were most likely not 75 ohm cables since at that time, 75 ohm interconnects were not the industry norm as this today. Audio cables were generally in the range of 50 - 110 ohms in those days.

It would just make good production sense to make all interconnects 75 ohms as then you only have to make one type on the production line. It works for all applications in analog audio, video, digital, etc.

 

[mtrycrafts]

If you are using 1/2 of a pair of analog interconnects for the digital connection buy a true digital coax cable and see if this doesn't indeed improve the audio results from dvd sources for you.

How and why would that make a difference?

 

[3beanlimit]

Why must this argument span the length of the internet?

Those who believe, buy...

Those who don't or are too cheap to experiment, wrap a coat hanger in teflon tape, sit back and enjoy..

 

[mtrycrafts]

Why must this argument span the length of the internet?

Those who believe, buy...

Those who don't or are too cheap to experiment, wrap a coat hanger in teflon tape, sit back and enjoy..

Excuse me
The length of the internet?
Audio is based on beliefs, not science?

Oh, I thought this was a discussion board, no?

 

[markw]

Anything else to add? So far you're 0 for 1

Why must this argument span the length of the internet?

Boy, you must have a very small internet.

Those who believe, buy...?

Those who care, read. Those who don't, shouldn't.

Those who don't or are too cheap to experiment, wrap a coat hanger in teflon tape, sit back and enjoy..

Not to sound like a fortune cookie, but wise people learn from others mistakes. Fools and their money are soon parted. Actually, I'll spend whatever it takes to get great sound, but not a penny more.

People look for good advice here. When questionable or simply bad advice is given, it is questioned and challanged.

Now, aren't you glad you contributed absolutely nothing of value to this thread and wasted even more of your precious of bandwidth? Now, got anything of value to add here?