Optical vs Coax

kdrives · 02-10-2003, 11:49 AM

Good Day
Just got the Onkyo SP800 DVD player & the Onkyo SR800 Receiver... Have hooked up the 6 RCA jacks for 5.1.
Was wondering what is better for Sound: Optical vs Coax??
And what is better for picture:S-Video vs RCA??
Curious about your opinions...
Thanks
Dave

ps - had posted a thread a couple months ago about poor dialogue in the center channel... problem gone with this new equipment (believe it was a bad 5.1 & DTS processor in my old receiver, name I'll leave out for now- JayVeeSee)...

nellis8166 · 02-10-2003, 11:59 AM

IMO optical is way better than coax. Component calbles for video will give you the best picture, S video is not far behind. I would use RCA's as a last resort.

Regards,
Nat

Ron-P · 02-10-2003, 01:08 PM

I've ran both and can honestly say, I hear no difference. I use coax because it's more durable, cheaper than optical and less prone to signal jitter.

Use S-Video over composite.

Peace Out~

kberg · 02-10-2003, 08:22 PM

I've tried both as well and decided on coax - I seemed to detect a *slightly* "warmer" sound than the optical connection, and I do mean *slightly*.

dbournival · 02-10-2003, 09:53 PM

Onkyo reccomends Coax vs Optical (At least they did a year ago). Onkyo states that since there is less processing in theory Coax should be superior. I've tried both and cannot say one is better than the other. My system 1 uses optical, system 2 coax.

S-Video is superior to composite.

HBombToo · 02-11-2003, 12:08 AM

I have my Cal CL-20 used as a transport with xlr to an Audio Research DAC5 and IMO... if there is no damage expect not much difference on the digital connections. I will agree with Ron in that coax is very cost effective. Jitter on the other hand is for a different subject.

HBomb

RuSsMaN · 02-11-2003, 12:49 AM

Why would you want to take the extra steps to convert the digital signal to light, and back again?

I'm in the Coax camp, fwiw.

Cheers,
Rooster

HBombToo · 02-11-2003, 12:54 AM

at only a few feet it makes NO sense!

evil twin

phuz · 02-11-2003, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RuSsMaN
Why would you want to take the extra steps to convert the digital signal to light, and back again?

I'm in the Coax camp, fwiw.

Cheers,
Rooster

Is there really a conversion? It's all 0's and 1's - and the light is either on or off right? Seems like it's the purest way to transmit a digital signal to me. I could easily be wrong though.

Optical for me when using outboard DACs.

RuSsMaN · 02-11-2003, 01:11 AM

Is there a conversion?

Umm, changing an electrical signal to light (and back again), you be the judge.

Cheers,
Rooster

danger boy · 02-11-2003, 04:54 AM

i've used both. i could not tell the difference.. i use both in my HT system

dvd player uses coax and dish network hooked up with optical. both sound good.

S-video is better than RCA (composite). component (three RCA) is superior to both

phuz · 02-11-2003, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RuSsMaN
Is there a conversion?

Umm, changing an electrical signal to light (and back again), you be the judge.

Cheers,
Rooster

Right but is it a conversion in the sense of the common digital to analog conversion is what I meant.

Anything that is digital is just binary, 0's and 1's. I could be wrong about this but the way an optical cable transfers the signal is by flashing light right? On is 0 and off is 1 or vice-versa. Even if that is not true you get the point. It is read by the receiving component as 0's and 1's. It's not like it turns into 1.2's or .03's. Sure if there was a bit (read, 0 or 1) missing then there would be problems. I've heard this happen with bad quality optical cables or with a partial optical connection. There is data loss, but as long as your component sends those 0's and 1's and they make it to the other end there should be no degredation or coloration of the signal. I mean, if I knew the binary code and my receiver could read hand signals then I could sit here and play my favorite CD's without degredation all while I rub one out.

Theoretically, at least.

If fiber were not superior to copper then it woudn't be one of the highest quality connections available for large data systems and networks. Electrical signals sent over copper are subject to interferance etc. 0's and 1's as light aren't. Of course, I could be wrong.

mantis · 02-11-2003, 08:28 AM

Optical vs coax?????????
this debate has been going on since DVD came out.Whcih one is better.....well here it is.....there both good.
I personally did this vs battle untill I turned blue/purple/black/green (you pick it) and came to the conclusion that there is no audio difference.My tests where done with good quality cables on both sides.
Some people feel coax is better due the sturdy build quality.I say who cares,it just hangs behind your gear.Some people feel Toshink is better due to "lightSpeed",I say can you hear a difference?I can't.
The long and short of this debate is......whatever you can use to hook up your gear,use it.....meaning if your gear has only coax or digital don't even sweat it.
If it has both,go look at high quality cables and which ever one tickels you,buy that one......it doesn't matter.

Now S vs composite????Not true that everytime you get a better picture with S video,It depends on the source and monitor.
Again,good quality cables will yield better performance.

danger boy · 02-11-2003, 10:17 AM

s-video is much better than composite video. component beating them both out in video quality. yeah good quality cables do make a difference.

HBombToo · 02-12-2003, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mantis
Some people feel Toshink is better due to "lightSpeed",I say can you hear a difference?I can't.

This is actually a very common misperception... the phase velocity is actually slower in lightguide verse coax.

Assuming that the electrical data stream is fully converted to light then there should be no difference in sound quality when compared to coax. If there is an EMI issue the TOSLink will minimize the noise.

HBomb

Jargan04 · 02-12-2003, 01:24 AM

I use both optical and coax in HT system. I cast hear a difference, also with good cables. When it comes to video I use s-video because my TV dosent have component video. But yeah s-video beats composite anyday. How many of you have used DVI compared to componet video?

PETERNG · 02-12-2003, 12:23 PM

If the distance between the DVD player and receiver is 3 ft or less, use coax (more durable), if more 3 ft, use optical (travel by light), you won't be able to tell the different any way if you use good decent cables.

izafar · 02-12-2003, 03:21 PM

Some time people do hear difference between the two, but thats mainly due to associated electronics in the equipemnt, i-e on your DVD player the circuitry with optical out might be slightly different than the one on Coaxial output. I would suggest to try both and chose the one that sounds best to you. In my case I couldnt hear any differnce between the two.

madmax · 02-16-2003, 05:08 PM

I would try both but I think the coax is better. Nothing is ever just ones and zeros, so it seems.
madmax

mantis · 02-16-2003, 07:08 PM

You'll be hard pressed to hear a difference with the same player and same preamp/recever......do the test and report.

Sumflow · 02-24-2003, 06:54 AM

Which to use? Well, most experts prefer coaxial connections for the majority of applications, except for situations where there is a great deal of electromagnetic interference, in which optical cables, immune to such interference, work better.

Fiber optic cables do not conduct electricity, so they are not susceptible to electrical interference.

Isn’t using the Cheap Coaxial allot like putting Firestone tyres on a Cayenne or using Petroleum Oil in a Ferrari, Lexus or Corvette.

DVD

Simply put, for the best picture quality, you should use component-video whenever available, then choose S-video over composite for most other applications.

The Panasonic DVD player says progressive-scan only works with component-video on a high-definition or HD-ready TV.

Running your gear off "clean" power lines will result in less interference, and therefore better sound and a clearer picture. You can have an electrician install a separate dedicated circuit for your home theater.

02-10-2003, 11:49 AM	#1
kdrives Polkie Member Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 13	Optical vs Coax Good Day Just got the Onkyo SP800 DVD player & the Onkyo SR800 Receiver... Have hooked up the 6 RCA jacks for 5.1. Was wondering what is better for Sound: Optical vs Coax?? And what is better for picture:S-Video vs RCA?? Curious about your opinions... Thanks Dave ps - had posted a thread a couple months ago about poor dialogue in the center channel... problem gone with this new equipment (believe it was a bad 5.1 & DTS processor in my old receiver, name I'll leave out for now- JayVeeSee)...

02-10-2003, 11:59 AM	#2
nellis8166 Polkateer Member Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: New York Posts: 291	IMO optical is way better than coax. Component calbles for video will give you the best picture, S video is not far behind. I would use RCA's as a last resort. Regards, Nat __________________ RTi10 CSi5 RTi28 SVS PB12-ISD2 Denon 2106(pre/pro) Adcom 5503(200x3) Audioquest Diamondback ICS Kimber Kable 8tc biwire(mains and center) "Don't let your silly dreams fall in between the crack of the bed and the wall." -J. James

02-10-2003, 01:08 PM	#3
Ron-P Spaceman Spiff Member Sales Rating: (17) Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Surf City, CA Posts: 7,162	I've ran both and can honestly say, I hear no difference. I use coax because it's more durable, cheaper than optical and less prone to signal jitter. Use S-Video over composite. Peace Out~ __________________ Sometimes you reach what's real by making believe. Last edited by Ron-P; 02-10-2003 at 01:20 PM..

02-10-2003, 08:22 PM	#4
kberg Polkazoid Member Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 974	I've tried both as well and decided on coax - I seemed to detect a slightly "warmer" sound than the optical connection, and I do mean slightly. __________________ Mains: polkaudio RTi70's (bi-wired) Center: polkaudio CSi40 (bi-wired) Surrounds: polkaudio FXi30's Rear Center: polkaudio CSi30 Sub: SVS 20-39 PC+ Receiver: ONKYO TX-SR600 Display: JVC HD-56G786 DVD Player: SONY DVP-CX985V DVD Player: OPPO DV-981HD 1080p High Definition Up-Converting Universal DVD Player with HDMI Remote: Logitech Harmony H688

02-11-2003, 12:08 AM	#6
HBombToo Polk Master Member Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: May 2002 Location: Funny Farm"no doubt there" Posts: 5,321	I have my Cal CL-20 used as a transport with xlr to an Audio Research DAC5 and IMO... if there is no damage expect not much difference on the digital connections. I will agree with Ron in that coax is very cost effective. Jitter on the other hand is for a different subject. HBomb __________________ *WAREMTAE*

02-10-2003, 09:53 PM	#5
dbournival Polkster Member Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 131	Onkyo reccomends Coax vs Optical (At least they did a year ago). Onkyo states that since there is less processing in theory Coax should be superior. I've tried both and cannot say one is better than the other. My system 1 uses optical, system 2 coax. S-Video is superior to composite.

02-11-2003, 12:49 AM	#7
RuSsMaN Hardcore Member Sales Rating: (27) Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: North Texas Posts: 16,017	Why would you want to take the extra steps to convert the digital signal to light, and back again? I'm in the Coax camp, fwiw. Cheers, Rooster __________________ If you're gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough - when you get knocked down, you gotta get back up - Roger Alan Wade

02-11-2003, 12:54 AM	#8
HBombToo Polk Master Member Sales Rating: (1) Join Date: May 2002 Location: Funny Farm"no doubt there" Posts: 5,321	at only a few feet it makes NO sense! evil twin

02-11-2003, 01:11 AM	#10
RuSsMaN Hardcore Member Sales Rating: (27) Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: North Texas Posts: 16,017	Is there a conversion? Umm, changing an electrical signal to light (and back again), you be the judge. Cheers, Rooster

02-11-2003, 04:54 AM	#11
danger boy Polk Guru Member Sales Rating: (10) Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Spokane, Washington Posts: 14,081	i've used both. i could not tell the difference.. i use both in my HT system dvd player uses coax and dish network hooked up with optical. both sound good. S-video is better than RCA (composite). component (three RCA) is superior to both __________________ I need a new sig... "Ask not what can your stereo system can do for you, ask what you can do for your stereo" - little ol me

02-11-2003, 08:28 AM	#13
mantis Polk Guru Member Sales Rating: (10) Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Pa Posts: 9,549	Optical vs coax????????? this debate has been going on since DVD came out.Whcih one is better.....well here it is.....there both good. I personally did this vs battle untill I turned blue/purple/black/green (you pick it) and came to the conclusion that there is no audio difference.My tests where done with good quality cables on both sides. Some people feel coax is better due the sturdy build quality.I say who cares,it just hangs behind your gear.Some people feel Toshink is better due to "lightSpeed",I say can you hear a difference?I can't. The long and short of this debate is......whatever you can use to hook up your gear,use it.....meaning if your gear has only coax or digital don't even sweat it. If it has both,go look at high quality cables and which ever one tickels you,buy that one......it doesn't matter. Now S vs composite????Not true that everytime you get a better picture with S video,It depends on the source and monitor. Again,good quality cables will yield better performance. __________________ Dan My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. Last edited by mantis; 02-11-2003 at 08:41 AM..

02-11-2003, 10:17 AM	#14
danger boy Polk Guru Member Sales Rating: (10) Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Spokane, Washington Posts: 14,081	s-video is much better than composite video. component beating them both out in video quality. yeah good quality cables do make a difference.

02-12-2003, 01:24 AM	#16
Jargan04 Polkie Member Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 10	I use both optical and coax in HT system. I cast hear a difference, also with good cables. When it comes to video I use s-video because my TV dosent have component video. But yeah s-video beats composite anyday. How many of you have used DVI compared to componet video?

02-12-2003, 12:23 PM	#17
PETERNG Polkazoid Member Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Jul 2001 Posts: 918	If the distance between the DVD player and receiver is 3 ft or less, use coax (more durable), if more 3 ft, use optical (travel by light), you won't be able to tell the different any way if you use good decent cables.

02-12-2003, 03:21 PM	#18
izafar Polkazoid Member Sales Rating: (2) Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: CT Posts: 696	Some time people do hear difference between the two, but thats mainly due to associated electronics in the equipemnt, i-e on your DVD player the circuitry with optical out might be slightly different than the one on Coaxial output. I would suggest to try both and chose the one that sounds best to you. In my case I couldnt hear any differnce between the two. __________________ -izafar HT/Gaming ------------ RTi6 Mains CSi30 Center Monitor 30 Side Surrounds PSW 10 Sub ONKYO TX-SR605 Sony PlayStation 3 BR Player/Gaming Nintendo Wii Gaming Samsung HP-T4254 Plasma

02-16-2003, 05:08 PM	#19
madmax Polk Guru Member Sales Rating: (13) Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 9,983	I would try both but I think the coax is better. Nothing is ever just ones and zeros, so it seems. madmax __________________ Vinyl, the final frontier... Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want...

02-16-2003, 07:08 PM	#20
mantis Polk Guru Member Sales Rating: (10) Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Pa Posts: 9,549	You'll be hard pressed to hear a difference with the same player and same preamp/recever......do the test and report.

02-24-2003, 06:54 AM	#21
Sumflow Registered User Member Sales Rating: (0) Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Honolulu Posts: 60	Which to use? Well, most experts prefer coaxial connections for the majority of applications, except for situations where there is a great deal of electromagnetic interference, in which optical cables, immune to such interference, work better. Fiber optic cables do not conduct electricity, so they are not susceptible to electrical interference. Isn’t using the Cheap Coaxial allot like putting Firestone tyres on a Cayenne or using Petroleum Oil in a Ferrari, Lexus or Corvette. DVD Simply put, for the best picture quality, you should use component-video whenever available, then choose S-video over composite for most other applications. The Panasonic DVD player says progressive-scan only works with component-video on a high-definition or HD-ready TV. Running your gear off "clean" power lines will result in less interference, and therefore better sound and a clearer picture. You can have an electrician install a separate dedicated circuit for your home theater.

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