I want to use a coax (RC) cable as a "digital" audio signal cable. Is it
better to use a "video" cable or "audio" cable for digital transfer or no
matter? Or is it necessary to get a "digital" cable? The available video
cables I have are 75ohm - they say.

Also, let me know if the optical (toslink) digital cable is the better
way... I can acquire one if optical (probably Monster brand is all I
usually see) if it's 'way' better to use optical vs coax for digital.

---

Last... I can dig into my instruction manual, but maybe you can let me
know. If I use a digital connection from the DVD player, does it cut-off
the feed from the standard coax left/right audio out? Hopefully both outs,
stereo and digital, work at the same time. If it's dependent upon the DVD
player make/model, I'm going to the dark place where manuals and spiders are
kept.

On 6/8/2011 2:12 PM, Bill Graham wrote:
> Kele wrote:
>> I want to use a coax (RC) cable as a "digital" audio signal cable. Is
>> it better to use a "video" cable or "audio" cable for digital
>> transfer or no matter? Or is it necessary to get a "digital" cable?
>> The available video cables I have are 75ohm - they say.
>>
>> Also, let me know if the optical (toslink) digital cable is the better
>> way... I can acquire one if optical (probably Monster brand is all I
>> usually see) if it's 'way' better to use optical vs coax for digital.
>>
>> ---
>>
>> Last... I can dig into my instruction manual, but maybe you can let
>> me know. If I use a digital connection from the DVD player, does it
>> cut-off the feed from the standard coax left/right audio out?
>> Hopefully both outs, stereo and digital, work at the same time. If
>> it's dependent upon the DVD player make/model, I'm going to the dark
>> place where manuals and spiders are kept.
>
> Its always best to use a digital cable to transfer anything that's
> digital, or been digitized. That's because digitized audio is quite a
> bit higher in frequency....(Like 100 kilohertz instead of 20 kilohertz.)

Depends what you mean by digital cable. As I'm sure you know, ethernet
is 100% digital. Common everyday household ethernet networks run at 100
Megabits/sec. No big deal. Ordinary CAT-5 cable works just fine.

- dave a

I have another cable question... Concerning power cables. This audio
component has a two prong detachable power cable (original equipment). I
have an aftermarket "high end" power cable that I'd like to use, however
it's a three prong. I think it would be ok in the same way I often connect
a two prong power tool into a three prong extension chord. But I'm asking
to guys and gals first.

PS: this three prong power cable I hope to use is not the type that the
ground pin can be unscrewed.

What are the benefits of balanced (XLR) cables is any?

Someone lent me a Monster "THX" toslink digital cable to try. It worked.
The DA converter in the preamp must be better than the one in the source
component because it sounds better with the digital cable compared to the
L/R RCA jacks. The loaner didn't know that sharply bending a fiber cable
should be avoided. Long ago when toslink first came out, the audio magazine
equipment reviewers used to talk bad about toslink due to plastic fibers not
being clear as glass. I don't see much talk about toslink anymore. This
Monster toslink cable is thin and very flexible; I doubt it's glass fiber.

I went to MonoPrice.com and they are selling video RCA cable as "Digital"
composite cable. I elected to get the fiber optic with what you said in
mind. The cables arrived and they look much better than the Monster at
1/8th the price. They are stiff compared to the Monster. Sound wise, I
can't tell a difference between the Monster and MonoPrice.


"Bill Graham" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> Its always best to use a digital cable to transfer anything that's
> digital, or been digitized. That's because digitized audio is quite a bit
> higher in frequency....(Like 100 kilohertz instead of 20 kilohertz.)

That was helpful, Bill. I have a high opinion of Polk Audio due to having a
set of their two piece, three way speakers in three cars. The original car
stereo equipment was re-installed in a second car. Some pieces crapped out
and were replaced, but the Polk's made it to a third car, and they looked
and sounded like new throughout until the third car was sold with them still
in it. Very rugged. As a comparison, the Infinity sub's surround
disintegrated in the second car.

Along with a couple digital cables, I obtained a set of XLR cables from
MonoPrice.com. They aren't very expensive there so I took a chance. I
believe cables will "break-in" and sound typically smoother less brittle
over time. So it's too soon to tell, but initially the XLR's have increased
the base wallop, base tightness, and their is some overall added clarity.
Definitely better for listening to movies as is. Hopefully, they mellow
some over time for a little sweeter sound. The XLR's sound different
compared to the RCAs (old Monster M-series) for sure. If you have XLR
capability and need a little more control for a tighter sound, XLR's seem to
lean that way. I wish my sub had an XLR jack. BTW, my preamp and amp is
separated by about 9 feet so the cable length between them is somewhat long
and routed near and around all kinds of other wires (power, antenna,
speaker, line level) so based on reading at Polk forum, XLR cables should
reject noise in that type of situation.

The MonoPrice XLR's are beefy utilitarian, very flexible rubbery. They
appear to make a tight connection. I also picked up a pair of DVI > HDMI
adapters (nice) and that rounds out my experience with MonoPrice from which
the transaction and delivery went very well and quick.



"Bill Graham" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> Kele wrote:
>> What are the benefits of balanced (XLR) cables is any?
>
> Read some of the letters here:
> http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/arch...hp/t-8628.html