Fiber Optics

[Cpyder]

Optical cables can be made out of varying materials, usually different types of glass or plastics. What benefits might I see if I upgraded by optical cable (which connects my computer to my receiver) to a more expensive one. Will glass make any difference for the lengths I use it for. Around 30 ft. Carrying a purely digital signal, how can a more expensive cable change anything? Can optical cables introduce jitter?

The way I see it, unless the cable I'm using now is dropping 1s and 0s, a more expensive cable won't make a difference, right? Unless jitter comes into play.

[Cpyder]

Upon further review the ruling on the field stands. Err.. too much football watching. Upon further review, it seems optical cables can introduce jitter. In that regard, why don't manufacturer's publish the amount of jitter introduced by their cables. Or do they?

[dkg999]

I replaced a Radio Shack optical cable with one sold under the Outlaw Audio brand and noticed a small but noticeable difference in the soundstage in my HT.

[Cpyder]

See my only problem is that my computer is on the other side of the room. So when I upgrade I'll be looking at about 30 ft of cable which will not be cheap. lol I'd like to purchase Audioquest's highest priced cable, for example, and see if it makes a difference. Does anyone know if they have a fair return policy?

[bruss]

get a cable from monoprice and forget about it.

[dkg999]

Go to the AudioAdvisor site and see what their return policy is. I think they stock the entire AQ range of cables.

[vc69]

I am at a complete loss to understand how a fiber optic cable can affect the SQ in any way other than perceived. It either passes the signal (light in this case) or it does not.
This statement requires no explanation from anyone as to why it does. I cannot be convinced :)

[Cpyder]

get a cable from monoprice and forget about it.

That's what I have now! :) works great! But if any improvement can be made Id try it. That's why Im looking for someone with a good return policy. I too am skeptical of any differences

[megasat16]

Even fiber cables have power losses. Poorly terminated cables will have significantly more power loss than properly terminated (spliced) fiber cables. It may probably makes no significant difference for Digital Audio transmission though.

[thsmith]

Don't think you will find a name brand optical cable 30', they are typically 3m the longest I have seen.

I don't know if one is better than the other but to be on the safe side I went with Analysis Plus with Medical-Grade Light-Conducting Fiber. Their sales pitch is The Analysis Plus Toslink Optical Digital Cable is made from medical-grade light-conducting fiber. This premium material has excellent light-transfer characteristics, and unlike glass it will not microscopically fracture when the cable is bent or flexed.

[Face]

http://bluejeanscable.com/store/digital-audio/index.htm

[F1nut]

All fiber optic cable is not the same according to my PhD. brother, who lives and breathes the stuff.

[Cpyder]

All fiber optic cable is not the same according to my PhD. brother, who lives and breathes the stuff.

Does he have any more to say about it? What are the differences?

[F1nut]

I would imagine so. All I can say right now is that I asked him once if there were differences as there was some discussion going on that all were the same and he said no, not all the same. I'll ask him for some specifics the next time we talk, if he can bring it down to layman's terms.

[Face]

As mentioned above, termination makes a difference, polished ends, etc... So does the material of the cable, there's plastic and then there's real glass.

[zingo]

I use the premium monoprice optical cable and I didn't think it sounded any different than the lower line Audioquest it replaced.