jeffluckett;152305 Wrote: > Did you in any way blind this test? How can you be sure your > expectation of better sound from the high-dollar cable didn't color > your perception of sound quality? > > What factors could possibly affect signal transmission over a short run > in an optical cable enough to produce an actual audible change? > > In cables that rely on electrical conduction (especially in the analog > realm) I can see, up to a point, how a quality cable could outperform a > cheapo. This is not to say I beleive that price-point translates to > quality after a certain point ... there is a point at which I think > people are paying for "peace of mind" and brand recognition, and some > cable-makers boat. > > In optical transmission, how much signal degradation could possibly > exist over a 3-6 foot run assuming that the cable is above "dirt cheap" > quality? > > I'm not posting to be a wise guy ... I really want to know technical > details (not back of the package marketing-speek) how a $200.00 toslink > optical cable outperforms a "quality" cable at a more reasonable price > point?
I'm with you in the skeptics department on this one. I tried both a $30 bargain glass fiber cable and a $70 Monster (plastic fiber) and could not distinguish any audible difference between them, although it took about 30 seconds to make the swap each time, so it's hard to say with certainty. However, I also compared TOSLINK to coax, which I could do very easily and instantly via a flip of a switch on my DAC, without it producing any click or gap during the change. Those two were so indistinguishable that I wasn't even sure the DAC was making the switch until I unplugged the TOSLINK cable while listening. (Don't try that with the coax!) I'd bet any responses you get claiming there's a difference will include the word "jitter." -- TiredLegs ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TiredLegs's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=6201 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=29353 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list [email protected] http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
