I'm probably going to ask a redundant question, but I've not been able to find the answer on this forum or elsewhere on the Internet. Does mono, with respect to an 1/8" coaxial terminal, simply mean that there is only one input, versus two inputs (L and R) on some RCA inputs?
Does adding an 1/8" adapter, or 1/8" terminal end affect the sound of the coaxial cable? I don't understand why these 1/8" plugs are called mono plugs, so if anyone does, I'd appreciate an explanation. I will guess that because the coaxial cable is transmitting a digital signal to my HeadRoom amp's DAC, the digital signal is neither mono nor stereo, and will be unaffected by the 1/8" adapter or terminal end. Am I correct?
As I'm writing this message as I'm listening to Lossless digital music from my iPod through an Onkyo ND-S1 dock (that I just received today) connected to my HeadRoom Portable Desktop Amp with a Dayton Audio digital optical cable and running into my Denon AH-D5000 headphones. Is the Dayton cable a weak link?
The Dayton cable that I'm using is a $20, 3' long cable that I bought from HeadRoom. Will an RCA to 1/8" coaxial cable give me a better signal, or will the non-RCA jack on my amp diminish the sound quality of the coaxial cable to less than the optical cable? The Onkyo ND-S1 dock has a standard RCA input.
I know that Blue Jeans Cable will build a RCA to 1/8" coaxial cable. HeadRoom sells and Acoustic Research coaxial cable and an 1/8" adapter. Which cable would you suggest, or would suggest another brand?
By the way, the Onkyo ND-S1 was a very worthwhile investment. I can hear a tremendous difference in the music coming through my HeadRoom DAC versus the signal I was getting through my iPod DAC. Iskra 1903 with Derek Bailey, Paul Rutherford, and Barry Guy is kicking my butt through my ears! 
Thanks for your help!
Heath
Edited by heathdwatts - 8/17/10 at 9:12pm
