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Which is the best optical cable under $300?

post #1 of 168
12/8/09 at 12:43pm
Thread Starter 
Is it worth spending up to $300 for a Toslink cable?
And if it is which one is worth it's high value?
Your opinions please!
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post #2 of 168
12/8/09 at 1:12pm
Said it once and I'll say it again, unless you are balancing headphones, expensive cable is completely pointless after a certain point, all you can do after the $80 mark in analog cables (estimate) is change the sound signature very slightly by changing cables, you can't get an overall improvement.

Especially in digital cables, there is little to no difference unless you get a complete trash cable. Just get the Dayton Optical from HeadRoom or something in that price range.

Balanced headphones on the other hand, are a huge improvement over single-ended.
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post #3 of 168
12/8/09 at 1:13pm
toslink are digital cables unaffected by em/rfi - spending extra on these cables can be equated to flushing your cash directly down the toilet


you asked for opinions
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post #4 of 168
12/8/09 at 1:35pm
indeed, im almost starting to believe in the cable kool-aide, you can go ahead and pass the pitcher, but for the optical run from my mac to my DAC, its still gonna be just the standard optical cable from monoprice, then ive got TWag from dac to amp and them amp to headphones.
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post #5 of 168
12/8/09 at 2:26pm
I love my Van den Hul The Optocoupler MKII, which did set me back about $130.
Not sure I would have spend more on an optical cable though.
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post #6 of 168
12/8/09 at 3:20pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Necrolic View Post
S
Balanced headphones on the other hand, are a huge improvement over single-ended.
I agree
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post #7 of 168
12/8/09 at 3:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by krmathis View Post
I love my Van den Hul The Optocoupler MKII, which did set me back about $130.
Not sure I would have spend more on an optical cable though.
Do you know how it compares with the Wireworld Supernova 6?
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post #8 of 168
12/8/09 at 3:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rosgr63 View Post
Do you know how it compares with the Wireworld Supernova 6?
Sorry, but no.
I have only slightly compared it against my previous cable, a Monster Cable of some kind. Not all sure about the audible difference, but build quality wise a clear league above. For that alone worth the extra ~$100.
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post #9 of 168
12/8/09 at 3:44pm
Thread Starter 
krmathis thanks for your reply.
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post #10 of 168
12/8/09 at 3:48pm
Visit Blue Jeans Cables to check-see what a custom length cable will cost you. My 2 footer was less than $20. They make quality stuff and have great customer service all at a very reasonable price. BJC is well respected here.

Blue Jeans Cable -- Quality Cables at Reasonable Prices
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post #11 of 168
12/8/09 at 3:55pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by fatcat28037 View Post
Visit Blue Jeans Cables to check-see what a custom length cable will cost you. My 2 footer was less than $20. They make quality stuff and have great customer service all at a very reasonable price. BJC is well respected here.

Blue Jeans Cable -- Quality Cables at Reasonable Prices
I use Sys. Concept for my custom made optical cables.
They are also very good.
I was just wondering about these expensive cables, are they worth it?
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post #12 of 168
12/8/09 at 4:21pm
Go to monoprice and get their premium optical cable with metal connectors. Its built really well and works great.
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post #13 of 168
12/8/09 at 4:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rosgr63 View Post
I was just wondering about these expensive cables, are they worth it?
No. The only thing that matters with optical is the construction quality/durability. It has nothing to do with the sound, but how rugged/resistant to damage.

Now with Digital Coax, as with analog cables, there are quite noticeable differences between cables.
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post #14 of 168
12/8/09 at 4:31pm
I wouldn't spend more than £30 for a optical cable, some have more robust sheath so probably worth paying out for that. Of if it's a longer one.
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post #15 of 168
12/8/09 at 4:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Austin 3:16 View Post
No. The only thing that matters with optical is the construction quality/durability. It has nothing to do with the sound, but how rugged/resistant to damage.

Now with Digital Coax, as with analog cables, there are quite noticeable differences between cables.
I would agree with this, about to make the same statement. spend as little as possible still getting good contruction in that SQ will be the same with optial. I got one expensive one at price, one monster-not cheap, one basic. They all sound identical. The same can not be said for digital coax however.
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