Do Digital Cables Matter?

[Nathan Wall]

I'm needing a bnc and 2 optical between a profire 2626 and fireface 800. I have all mogami cables elsewhere, and i like getting the most out of my stuff.

I thought the thing with using digital cables was you could get away with using cheap stuff. Does it matter?

-Nathan

[bassman]

Well, BNC and optical cables are different than audio cables. BNC you can use any old RG6 cable (think digital cable TV) and it will be stupid cheap. Optical cables are fairly all the same IMHO. Radio Shack....

-bassman

[Nathan Wall]

i was thinking more along the lines of hosa vs apogee.

[tINY]

If you plug them in once and leave them alone, then the Hosa is fine. They don't tend to hold up to a lot of handling, though.




-tINY

[Fast_Fingers]

Monoprice is a solid alternative for the ADAT cables. As in general, +1 to Tiny's remarks.

[Nathan Wall]

another question.

Anyone know where you can buy a 6 inch optical cable? Or is it possible to cut one down?

[chris carter]

The main issue with optical cables (besides build quality) is how tight of a curve you can make. There's a spec for it, but I can't remember what it is because it's been eons since I've bought optical cables. But essentially, the really cheap stuff can only be bent into a large loop (like 6" min. or so) and the better the quality the tighter the loop. This becomes a consideration when you have to do things like go around corners and stuff.

[tINY]

Check here:

18" Toslink Digital Optical Cable



-tINY

[mixedupsteve]

I have that very cable only I bought it from an Ebay store. It connects my Digimax to my Firestudio (about 8 inches) so I pretty much left it coiled up.
Works fine.
We'll see how long it lasts though.

[smoke]

or you can check Monoprice

I just got some opticals and hdmi the other day.

[aussie_techie]

radio shack optical cables always work fine, small enough connector (on some units you cant fit 2 of the fat connectors side by side that some optical cables use) and they bend fine.

for BNC any 75Ohm cable will do. it doesnt matter what name is on it or what its sold as

[Nathan Wall]

Thanks! I think I looked for an hour for that.

Originally Posted by tINY

Check here:

18" Toslink Digital Optical Cable



-tINY

[Sugarnutz]

I bought some of these, actually about 6 pairs of them:

NEW 6Ft Optical Toslink Audio CABLE

He's went up as I think I paid $7 a pair then (about $2 more it looks like). They're real thick like the expensive stuff, but work fine here. I got a bunch just to have 'em handy. I imagine if you stay in the 6 ft. & under lengths you should have no problems. Of course, if you got money to burn and want the best, get the Apogees for $50+ each.

[TVPostSound]

The main issue with optical cables (besides build quality) is how tight of a curve you can make. There's a spec for it, but I can't remember what it is because it's been eons since I've bought optical cables. But essentially, the really cheap stuff can only be bent into a large loop (like 6" min. or so) and the better the quality the tighter the loop. This becomes a consideration when you have to do things like go around corners and stuff.

That, and the quality of the lens polish. (The end of the optical cable)

[MarsBot]

Yes. Digital cables matter. I tested a lot of stuff and the best thing I've heard for a digital connection is metal cable: Mogami digital AES connection. It was far beyond the Hosa digital AES. This Mogami cable also beats the best optical cable I have which is a short Monster cable. You need optical and I haven't done much checking on that, but I wouldn't be surprised if some are better than others.

[Lawrence]

Just as an FYI (off topic but related) Radio Shack sells these passive 3-In-1-Out optical (ADAT style plug) switchers. Very cool if you need to switch from here to there with ADAT optical.

I have some left over from when I had an HD-24. Very handy.

Leave It to Radio Shack ...

[BLUElightCory]

Originally Posted by MarsBot

Yes. Digital cables matter. I tested a lot of stuff and the best thing I've heard for a digital connection is metal cable: Mogami digital AES connection. It was far beyond the Hosa digital AES. This Mogami cable also beats the best optical cable I have which is a short Monster cable. You need optical and I haven't done much checking on that, but I wouldn't be surprised if some are better than others.

I assume you're talking about the build quality, correct? There shouldn't be any sound difference between two digital cables in good condition.

[space2012]

Originally Posted by Nathan Wall

I'm needing a bnc and 2 optical between a profire 2626 and fireface 800. I have all mogami cables elsewhere, and i like getting the most out of my stuff.

I thought the thing with using digital cables was you could get away with using cheap stuff. Does it matter?

-Nathan

yes they do.
for s/pdif and BNC wordclock, BIG TIME.
go for Rca to Rca >99.997% OFC
and buy copper rca-F to BNC-M adapters.
cheap and verry good.
learn more about cables here
psaudio.com

for adat, its easyer, good cables are light conductors, when you look at them both ends good ones look whiter, and brighter.
the ones that look yellow, cannot transfer full bandwith ADAT / SMUX signals.