TOSLINK Switch Problem

[GO-NAD!]

I've been attempting to connect my two CD changers in the 2-channel system to my HT receiver, which is at the opposite end of the house, on a different floor. This required a 75' toslink cable a switch/splitter and 2 short toslink cables.

For my first attempt, I used this splitter:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10423&cs_id=1042301&p_id=966&seq=1&format=2

That didn't work. I assumed the splitter weakened the light signal too much.

Then I tried this switch:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10423&cs_id=1042302&p_id=2946&seq=1&format=2

That didn't work either. Still too weak.

I have connected the 75' cable directly from each CD player to the receiver and it works perfectly. Does anybody know of any kind of switching device that will not degrade the signal? Or, a signal amplifier that will work reliably?

There doesn't appear to be any consensus on whether this will actually boost the signal, or not:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10423&cs_id=1042302&p_id=4748&seq=1&format=4#feedback

Different websites make different claims, so if anyone here can enlighten me, it would be much appreciated. If this connection requires something more sophisticated, please let me know.

If the distance is just too long, I will just have to pick one CD changer to connect to the receiver and leave it at that.

 

[Rickster71]

That seems far for Toslink.
I hate to recommend Coax since you've got money invested in the Toslink setup already.
At this stage it seems like you're on right track looking for a booster.

 

[GO-NAD!]

That seems far for Toslink.
I hate to recommend Coax since you've got money invested in the Toslink setup already.
At this stage it seems like you're on right track looking for a booster.

Well, the RCA outputs from the CD players are already going to the NAD C-372. That leaves just the Toslink outputs to go to the RX-V1800. If I converted to Coax, I'd need another short toslink cable and a toslink/coax converter, plus the coax cable and connectors. If I new for certain that it would work, I'd be willing to cough up for the stuff. Right now, I think I'll concentrate on the signal booster. If that doesn't pan out, well, I'll cross that bridge when I get there....

Thanks for the input Rick!

 

[markw]

"TOSLINK cables can temporarily fail (and may even suffer permanent damage) if tightly bent, and their high light-signal attenuation limits their effective range to 6.1 metres (20 ft) or so."

From this link. It might not be the highest authority, though.

Your best bet seems to be a booster, or repeater, but this one says it's good "up to" 75 feet. They look the same but those reviews aren't too encouraging.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

http://www.rane.com/note149.html

 

[GO-NAD!]

"TOSLINK cables can temporarily fail (and may even suffer permanent damage) if tightly bent, and their high light-signal attenuation limits their effective range to 6.1 metres (20 ft) or so."

From this link. It might not be the highest authority, though.

Your best bet seems to be a booster, or repeater, but this one says it's good "up to" 75 feet. They look the same but those reviews aren't too encouraging.

I don't have any problem with my 75' cable. It's just when I try to go through the splitter or switch that I loose the signal.

Yeah, I saw the same thing. I'm a bit leery about that unit as well.

 

[GO-NAD!]

http://www.rane.com/note149.html

Thanks for the reference, but you'll have to explain it for me. I don't see any mention of Toslink....

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Thanks for the reference, but you'll have to explain it for me. I don't see any mention of Toslink....

Basically Toslink is limited to 10meters (30ft)
http://www.epanorama.net/documents/audio/spdif.html - look for (Cabling details)
here:
http://www.rane.com/note149.html in differences b'ween spd/if and it's pro brother AES3 (AES/EBU) shown then the latter one can be used in much longer cables.
What I think - you could find toslink to AES/EBU converter or possibly toslink cat5 balun. I did found inexpensive coax spd/if cat5 baluns but not the optical one...