Pro connectors

[jared555]

Why is it that with all the work trying to make higher quality connections between sources, processors, and outputs usage of existing 'pro audio/video' connections, etc. has not become a lot more common?

I understand that digital is making the actual signal connections less important to some degree, but lossless digital still will loose quality (although I use digital connections for 90% of what I listen to). Digital at 40-50khz (depending on the source) gives you 2 samples per cycle at 20khz. At 20hz you have 2000 samples per cycle.

Again, I know most people don't hear things outside of the range of 20-20,000hz but I still have not seen definitive proof that sounds above 20khz (or hey, even 100khz) doesn't affect the sound quality.

An extreme example: what about those ultra directional speakers they have been developing for years now where they use ultrasonic sound waves to restrict if you can hear the sound by not only direction but also distance from the speaker. (it has been over a year since I last saw something about these so I may be wrong on those details....)

 

[markw]

I really think the difference between "pro" and "consumer" connectors deals more with ruggedness than sound.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I understand that digital is making the actual signal connections less important to some degree, but lossless digital still will loose quality (although I use digital connections for 90% of what I listen to).

How do you think, or why do you think this to be so? How would that loss manifest itself?

Digital at 40-50khz (depending on the source) gives you 2 samples per cycle at 20khz. At 20hz you have 2000 samples per cycle.

And, that 2 samples is sufficient, regardless what some think

Again, I know most people don't hear things outside of the range of 20-20,000hz but I still have not seen definitive proof that sounds above 20khz (or hey, even 100khz) doesn't affect the sound quality.

Have you really looked? So far, experiments show otherwise, that people just cannot tell under controlled conditions, period.
Do you know what levels would be needed to make your supposed differences? You think that level is enough to register somehow in the brain?

An extreme example: what about those ultra directional speakers they have been developing for years now where they use ultrasonic sound waves to restrict if you can hear the sound by not only direction but also distance from the speaker. (it has been over a year since I last saw something about these so I may be wrong on those details....)

Maybe it is a trick?
But, those work on a different principal, perhaps than just ultrasonic sound waves, otherwise you'd hear them no matter what.

 

[bandphan]

id love to see a "pro" grade hdmi cable instead of the flimsy arese crap thats out now.

 

[markw]

id love to see a "pro" grade hdmi cable instead of the flimsy arese crap thats out now.

The problem with HDMI cables is the design of the connector itself. They are too prone to be loose and make poor connection.

Now, if they had designed in some sort of built-in securing device, like DB-9 & DB-25 (or even BNC*) conncetors have, then we might have a winnah. The funny thing, though is that DB connectors fit snugly enough on their own and often work for years without these fastening devices being used!

I don't think it's too late to correct this and have current cables still function, though. The problem is if anyone in a position to do this actually cares. It would take design issues on both the cable end and the device into which it's inserted.

* I know. These won't work because they have to be twisted and this is fine for a coaxial connection but not a multi-wire configuration, but you get the idea. Actually, I wish BNC was the audio standard instead of the RCA "phono plugs" we currently use.