Optical cables- High end or cheapie?

[MikeMitchell]

$50 for a monster fiber optics cable (2 meters), $22 for a hosa (5 foot). I could see a difference in cables if we were talking about quarter inch or xlr runs here, but whats the opinion on optics? Should it really make any difference?
thanks

p.s. the question is really regarding the topic, is there really a 'high end' optical cable, or they all just the same?
p.s.s. I would never buy a monster cable anyway, maybe look for something better than the hosa or m-audio

[De chromium cob]

dfegad Monster.

[MikeMitchell]

yeah i edited the original post

[T_R_S]

If it's a portable system that gets moved around a lot get good cables as they probably will last longer. Otherwise go budget lightpipe will work or it will not.

[Toad]

The build of the Monster optical's is pretty impressive!

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by Toad

The build of the Monster optical's is pretty impressive!

I gotta admit, that is true...especially compared to the build quality of Hosa optical cables. I got a couple Monster LightSpeed fiber optic interlinks or whateverthefuk they're called (at dealer cost) to replace the sucky Hosa's I had previously. I haven't even bothered to think about whether there's any audible difference, but my sense of confidence & security when I'm moving the gear that they're attached to is much higher.

If you don't want to feed the Monster, check out the "high end" optical interconnects from StraightWire in Florida. Very nicely made heavy duty lightpipes from a company that is the complete antithesis of Monster; i.e., StraightWire is a small company made up of honorable decent guys with as high a level of moral responsibility as one can have while still selling exotic audio cables.

[GYang]

I heard that Apogee produces high quality glass fiber optical cables that can work in same path as plastic (usually glass FOC requires different transmitting technology due to optical differences).
I believe they are much costlier than any plastic FOC, but I would expect them to be much better, too.

Short info

TOSlink to TOSlink Glass Fiber Optical Cable

The first optical cable designed exclusively for professional use, Apogee’s new Glass PRO Optical Cable, combines the flexibility of a TOSlink connector with the transparency of glass fiber.

Features

TOSlink™ optical format
Compatible with all ADAT (TM) Devices
Superb Light transfer characteristics allow runs as far as 5 Meters with no loss or jitter transmission.
Super flexible cable - ultra low bend radius (±45º)
Superb jitter reduction and signal transmission
Compatible with all digital optical formats and sample rates
Also compatible with professional theatre installations

Price: around 55$ for 2 m.

I guess that would be high-end optical cable, compared to prosumer plastic types incl. mentioned Monsters.
Also, if longer than 2-3 foots all plastic optical cables ADD subtle, but audible degradation (call it jitter if you want). so I would not think twice when buying glass type.

GYang

[cdkelly]

I have one by Monster, and one by Calrad, both are pretty cool. Don't use either currently, just have them in the drawer. The Calrad has a neat feature in that the inner tip is spring-loaded, so that it is always pressing in to make the best contact with the female receptacle even after the barrel is inserted. There's an old joke around the building about 'the gold connector fiberoptic cables are better' but I think there are a few things to look out for. Glass fiber vs. plastic seems to be one issue, and jacketing seems to be another. I think Monster's best has a fabric outer layer and a thick teflon inner layer, but remember the heavier the cable the more strain it puts on the poor plastic female receptacle in the machine. To me, the most important issue is whether the barrel and tip are made of metal or plastic. The reason I say this is that the plastic ones smooth out and wear down with repeated insertion, where as the metal tip/metal barrel ones don't, guaranteeing a solid and straight connection every time. I have seen what happens to fiberoptic cables when they've been worn out like an old pencil in the soundtesting dept, they end up eventually not staying in, falling out, and angling upwards when they do stay in. I've seen some with metal barrel but plastic tip, and some with metal tip and plastic barrel, so if you can find one with all metal ends then you've got a winner. doesn't have to be gold. : ) that being said, if you're only gonna plug it on once then who cares : )

Chad
PreSonus

[RCM - Ronan]

I have not tested this myself, but I have heard that some of the heavy duty optical cables actually have too much weight on the end connectors and gravity actually makes for a less than ideal connection.

I used chepo optical cable for years and never had a problem.

[opentune]

Originally Posted by rcm

I have not tested this myself, but I have heard that some of the heavy duty optical cables actually have too much weight on the end connectors and gravity actually makes for a less than ideal connection.

I used chepo optical cable for years and never had a problem.

Same thing here. Been using cheap standard optical cables for
a very long time - no problems...

rcm is probably right with his comment about the weight of the cable. Although
i never used heavy duty cables i can imagine that the connection might get
worn out soon....