Cabling Digital

[stretchl]

So I finally bought the Panasonic Plasma and my TubeDAC, courtesy blairfrischx, ought to be here in a couple of days.

I know that quality analog interconnects are important; is the same true for digital cable?

Any recs?

Thanks.

[EndersShadow]

Yes it does IMHO, but you will get differing opinions. What digital cables do you need? Optical, Coaxial, HDMI, USB?

[tonyb]

You can pick up a Black cat for around 125.00 new, 80 or so used. Other than that, there are all sorts of digital cables available from pretty much anyone. Kimber, Audioquest, Signal, the worlds your oyster when it comes to cable variety. Oh and yes, just like RCA's, they vary in sound quality, probably not as much, but it's there none the less.

[EndersShadow]

Also keep in mind your source will be your limiting factor. For connecting my TV to my AVR via optical I have a nothing special optical cable. I know the TV cant provide nearly enough of a good signal to make it worth investing in a high quality digital cable.

If I was going from a decent CD player or DAC I would spend more (like I am on the USB cord for my USB DAC)

[BlueFox]

Yes indeed. Digital cables do make an audible difference, at least to mty ears. Depending on how they are constructed they can degrade the digital signal, and induce timing errors, both of which can degrade the sound.

Shunyata has a good explanation of how their Ztron cable technology helps digital cables even better than analog cables.
""Compared to other signal cables, the Cobra and Python digital cables showcase the most dramatic improvement in square-wave response.
http://www.shunyata.com/Content/products-SignalDigital.html


This page shows a square wave without Ztron and with Ztron.
http://www.shunyata.com/Content/technical-SignalTech.html

[stretchl]

I'll need an optical from the tv to the TubeDAC , and I believe likewise from the SqueezeBox.

[EndersShadow]

For the TV to the tubedac go cheap. From the Squeezebox get a decent cable. I suggest Audioquest (there is one in the Flea Market that is at a very good price)

For 20 bucks you cant go wrong if you can deal with only 1.5 meters
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?134952-Audioquest-Cables-Brand-New-In-Box!!!!!!!!!

[stretchl]

Thanks, Dan.

I'll keep my eye on that Audioquest.

I'm not 100% positive how everything will fit onto my bookshelves yet, but once I get the DAC and the SB placed, I may jump on that.

I'm such a damned cheapskate! :rolleyes:

[txcoastal1]

http://www.lifatec.com/toslink2.html

This is a great glass optical cable that won't break the bank

[EndersShadow]

Thanks, Dan.

I'll keep my eye on that Audioquest.

I'm not 100% positive how everything will fit onto my bookshelves yet, but once I get the DAC and the SB placed, I may jump on that.

I'm such a damned cheapskate! :rolleyes:

Eh we all have to decide how far down the rabbit hole we are willing to go. I started with Monoprice stuff, moved to Signal Cable interconnects and DIY Audioquest speaker cables, then up to MIT EXp1 and EXp2 gear and am now moving again.

BTW 1.5m = ~5 feet so I think you would be fine with just about any configuration with that Audioquest cable going between the SB and DAC :smile:

[stretchl]

Thanks for the English to metric conversion, Dan. What would I do without you? :biggrin:

[wallstreet]

For digital connections I've always gone with it will work perfectly or it won't work at all. Unlike analog connections that will gracefully degrade audio or picture quality, digital connections tend to work great or not work at all. As such, I have not found as much value in higher priced digital cables as I have found in higher priced analog cables.

[EndersShadow]

Thanks for the English to metric conversion, Dan. What would I do without you? :biggrin:

LOL, didnt want you to make the mistake I have sometimes of just glancing at the number and not the unit of measure as well lol. 1.5 feet would be tough for most folks whereas 5 feet is much better.

The rest of the world just needs to convert to our system :wink:

[Drenis]

Thanks for the English to metric conversion, Dan. What would I do without you? :biggrin:

Starting to sound like his wife. :razz:

How long of cable do you need?

[zingo]

Glass optical is the only way to go IMO.

[heiney9]

Glass optical is the only way to go IMO.

Optical isn't the best connection as it has one one more conversion step. Optical would be my last choice if I had to choose.

H9

[steveinaz]

If you want a surprisingly good, inexpensive cable----try Belden 1694A from Blue Jeans. Very good digital specifications.