Poll: Optical vs. Digital

TN_Polk_Lover

I know that this question has probably been hashed over and over, but I notice that in another thread about this that some of the links to previous threads aren't working.

I wanted to find out through a poll how many people have chosen a particular type of digital interface based on actual listening comparison, or just based on other factors.

TN_Polk_Lover

I went with Coaxial because somewhere in the past I remember hearing from someone, or reading somewhere that the bandwith of coaxial was greater than optical and therefore sounded better. So, I went with Coaxial, but have never actually done any listening comparisons myself.

According to Robert Harley in "The Complete Guide to High-End Audio" he indicates that the Toshiba (TOSLink) optical that is common today is not a very good connection and that RCA Coaxial is usually better. Another optical interface developed by AT&T which is more expensive and is hardly ever used anymore, he does like.

I don't know if this will work and I hope I don't get in trouble for it, but I scanned a few pages from his book where he talks about this. I prettied it up in Word, then saved it in html format (.mht) file. I have zipped that file. I'm not sure if it will be too big or not, but I am going to try.

TN_Polk_Lover

Let me know if you find this interesting / helpful. Let me know if you have any trouble reading the document. I also have it in Word format instead of the .mht file.

Robert

TN_Polk_Lover

I just realized that there is one paragraph repeated twice, the one just before and after the picture. Sorry about that!

TN_Polk_Lover

Now, to make this more interesting, I also scanned the section of Mr. Harley's book, where he explains what "jitter" is and why it is "jitter" that causes one type of connection sound different from another.

As he points out, yes a "one" is a "one", and a "zero" is a "zero", but it is the timing of how the ones and zeros are converted back to analog voltages that determines the sound.

Robert

disneyjoe7

Sorry I found it to be BS....

ST connections are not even used by the telecommunications industry as I know it. Something called the SC connections is which BTW looks and acts like a Toslink connection only a bit larger. The laser receiver on these card could care less how it got there, so I find he's statement that Toslink as 6mbit bandwidth and the SC has 150mbit bandwidth it's still FIBER just to end is different. Many cards I work with are universal which can except any input type, the input click thingy changes. It's all fiber all the same bandwidth to the card, the end changed that's all.


Then on the other side of coin why the bandwidth BS anyway we determined that DTS full rate is 1.5mbit bandwidth which COAX can do easy or the 6mbit Toslink also should have no issue either. But then again we added more stuff between the sound to get to our ears.

Gaara

I use both, depending on situation. For example my PS2 and XBOX only have optical, so I am forced to use optical.

As for differences, when I used to be in sales I used to tell people that you can't tell the difference. In a perfect world Coax is a better connection because it is tighter and you don't have to worry about the data->light->data conversion. On the other hand in an imperfect world there is noise that can affect a coax, which can't affect a optical. The main reason I steered people towards coax is because you can get a good quality one cheaper then a good quality optical. Plus there was less issues with people breaking the cables, or not being able to attach it because they can't figure out that it only goes in one way.

I was not a "normal" salesmen, most choose to sell their customers optical cables for two reasons. The first was it was easier to sell the higher priced models, you could show them the metal connectors, the thicker jacket, and explain how superior it was. The second was they didn't have one at home, they couldn't try it out and realize they have that same cable at home and use that instead. Plenty of times you would have to get over the "im sure I've got one of those at home" selling a coax, very rarely with a optical.

Jared

MSALLA

Optical cables break easyer then coax. Those mirrors inside can break easy if they are moved alot.

Airplay355

I used optical because I had an optical cable. Plus I think on the very first receiver I had there wasn't a digital coax option, just optical.

janmike

Both depending on the application.

engtaz

Optical does not oxidize. Glass cleans easier.
It good for table arguments. Ha Ha

engtaz

liordra

I wouldn't pass a pepsi test if my life dependent on it.
Optical looks cooler.
and it reminds me if my beloved aureal vortex sound card, which was the first product I owned with digital out.

Optical it is (just for being a sentimental fool)

JimBRICK

I've always read the optical breaks down over long lengths as well.

scottvamp

Airplay355 wrote:

I used optical because I had an optical cable. Plus I think on the very first receiver I had there wasn't a digital coax option, just optical.

YEP, thier was no coax in the beginning of DVD (dolby digital). The coax option snuck into the industry later. So, i had to start off with Optical. I can't tell a difference between the two. I use both now, but have been investing in high quality coax. It holds up better. Next stop 1.3 HDMI....

PS One of my cats bite right through an Optical last week.:(

goingganzo

my pre has 3 fiber and 6 coaxal so i tend to use coxal but a few of my stuff has fiber olny like my comp and ps3 so i have to use fiber

steveinaz

Toslink gives a very, very neutral presentation--to many it's perceived as dry, I think that's why it gets a bad rap. I ran Toslink for the last 7 months (quartz-glass, not plastic) from my transport to my DAC, but I have recently switched back to AES/EBU--it gives the music a little flavor.

IMO if you don't phutz around behind your rack alot, Toslink is fine--you just have to handle with care. The nice thing is, you don't have to worry about cable routing, impedance issues, ground loops, etc with fiber. Takes alot of varibles out of the equation.

dorokusai

Coaxial Rulez.

johnADA

I've gone back and fourth looking to see if there could possibly be a difference between the 2 types sonically. Nope, doesnt exist, but I did find something between the 2 that was wildy different.
Using coax cable on my cable HD box I introduce a ground loop problem that I have never been able to resolve. What does it do thats annoying and hell??? Makes my water meter hum, yes I said water meter. Sub hum and other problems with ground loop problems using coax were solved, but not that one.

So optical is my pick based upon adding ground loop problems coax can.

TN_Polk_Lover

Thanks, everyone for your input so far.

Mr. Harley seems to definitely prefer the sound of Coax over Optical, but he does point out that sometimes you have to go with Optical to solve a ground loop problem. He also points out that the glass TOSLink is better than the plastic, although it is a more expensive cable. And he mentions that AES/EBU is superior, but you just don't find it on most equipment.

It set this up to run until April 1st. It will be interesting to see how the vote comes out for those who have shown a preference. I guess I should have put another category such as "I've done listening tests but I cannot tell any difference between the two."

Robert

TN_Polk_Lover

Bump

Just wanted to put this back near the top to see if I can get some more responses before it cloeses on April 1st. Thanks guys and gals.

Robert