Home > Message Board > Home Audio > Receivers > Archive through June 02, 2005 > Another Noob Question
Main Topics Main Topics   Your Account Your Account Search Search   Help/Instructions Help
Today's Posts Today's Posts | Last 3 Days Bookmark and Share
Author Thread: Another Noob Question
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Bug
Unregistered guest
Edit Post

Can anyone tell me whats better Fibre Optic or Digital Coax Cable? And why? I appreciate any help.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Bronze Member
Username: Alphabet

Cape Town
South Africa

Post Number: 19
Registered: Feb-05
Edit Post

Hi Bug. This is just my opinion based on what I have read on this forum and elsewhere! Apparently coax is the better route to go as from what I have read there is less coversion involved.

It sounds like the signal is the same, but with optical the digital signal has to be converted to light source before being transmitted and once again converted back to digital on the receiver side.

I have tested both connections and felt that the coax connection gave me a better sound. This could be because I used a better quality coax than optical or maybe because I wanted it to sound better - I am not sure!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Silver Member
Username: Dmwiley

Post Number: 616
Registered: Feb-05
Edit Post

Bug, no one has been able to definitively answer this question. Although I have not done a scientific survey, I would suggest that there are just as many people who disagree with Abe's conclusions as those who agree with him. There are just so many variables, type of equipment, quality of wire, distance between connections, just to name a few. You should do what Abe did: test and choose.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Bronze Member
Username: Diablo

Fylde Coast, England

Post Number: 98
Registered: Dec-04
Edit Post

If you are using decent cables, then there should normally be no difference. There are some things to take into account though -
1) The fibre core of an optical cable can break if bent too much by a clumbsy oaf.
2) Coax provides an earth connection between equipment - in some circumstances this is unhelpful.
3) Coax is subject to intererence. I've noticed this effect myself and changed to optical to get rid of it.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Bug
Unregistered guest
Edit Post

Thanks to all for the replies. Very helpful.

Cheers
Topics | Last Day | Search | Formatting Tips | Terms | Rules | Help | Log out | Bookmark and Share
Home > Message Board > Home Audio > Receivers > Archive through June 02, 2005 > Another Noob Question [ « Previous ] [ Next » ]