Not quite sure I agree that specs - especially these specs - can mean nothing, but agree there’s often poor or nil correlation between a ‘better’ measurement and perceived sound quality, musical enjoyment. Case in point the Mini-circuits clock cable I ordered based on specs (very high RL and shielding attenuation, both in dB) a year back was a distant fourth best sounding, dry and edgy, incl behind a super cheap AliX LMR400 style cable. For me measurements are just another data point, albeit a lowly weighted one vs other folks’ or better yet my first hand impressions of an item’s sound. In the case of clock cables the most valuable input by far, short of first hand listening, was other users experiences and recommendations.10 is the lucky number. Let it be rolled like it is in the package when you receive it. Just connects the ends to the units.
Numbers means nothing. If you like the sound you like it because you like it. Numbers has no influence of judgement to the objective ear....MUSIC.
There is only one place where numbers matters or have the theoritcal effect in fiber. Distance = The reason for inventing fiber in the first place.
Anyway.. back to the item being discussed - optical cables - given the significant difference in measured RL performance, which is at least theoretically potentially beneficial - and the negligible additional cost (another $10 per cable), it’s absolutely worth it to me to give em a go to hear for myself if there is an audible benefit in my system. If not, no dramas, the cost of these cables are rounding errors vs my/our other cables let alone the overall cost of our systems. It’s clear from my experimentation to date that FMCs and SFPs can vary a lot in their effect on a system’s sound. Btw I swapped the order of the Afterdark Rosanna (still moonlighting as an FMC with its streamer board switched off) and Teradak FMC around a few times again last night (with Finisar 1318 + Corning cable in between) and boy does my system sound better with the Rosanna downstream - closer to the DAC. More refined (less grain in the treble and midrange) and resolving with a touch more body too.
Those high RL cables @TRHH linked to are back-ordered to May. If/when I get some I’ll update this thread with my impressions.