Optical vs. coax cables

MadMax · 06-05-2000, 07:53 PM

After searching several DVD and hi-fi audio sites, I can't seem to locate a definitive answer to whether optical toslink or digital coax cables are better overall for DVD playback. Everyone that has an opinion is trying to sell something, it seems, which is fine. I want an objective answer, though. Anybody have any thoughts on the subject?

Dominik Pfleghaar · 06-05-2000, 10:04 PM

Oh-oh... the famous coax vs. optical debate

You may read this thread where we had this debate before... but beware, it got kinda emotional.

There you will also find my opinion concerning your question.

[Fixed old link - Taxi]
------------------
Unca Dom
dvdfile.com Administrator
pfleghaar@dvdfile.com

[This message has been edited by Taxi (edited 07-17-2001).]

Mother · 06-06-2000, 02:57 AM

Ha! Whoa. . .that thread did get a bit "hot".

Hehehe. . .Hmmmm. . . .

------------------
Mother
listen.to/radiodecay/ | ICQ Me!

MadMax · 06-06-2000, 12:35 PM

You guys must really take your cables seriously. I feel like I need a drink or something after reading that previous thread.

Thanks for the quick reply, Dominik. I can't imagine that a more thorough trouncing of the topic could be offered... any other opinions/experiences to share, fair readers?

***1138*** · 06-07-2000, 02:58 AM

God, it was pretty bad in terms of heat, wasn't it? Yikes. Well I'm glad to say that Justin and I sorted it out later in terms of the personal stuff. We left it on friendly enough terms. I think we pretty much also agreed to disagree as the saying goes.

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Floyd is pink. Lando is a sex machine.

Dave Bean · 06-07-2000, 03:19 AM

Here's my basic opinion:

The only advantage that optical has over coax is that optical is not subject to electrical interference. If you think that you system does not sound good...if you hear a weird "hum" or some weird noise, try optical. Otherwise, stick to cheaper coax.

If you really want to experiment, get both. Then blindfold yourself and have a friend switch between the two (without telling you which is on, of course) and see if you can tell the difference. If you truly can't, and most people can't, stick to the cheaper alternative. Just make sure you can return the other one, no questions asked.

Dave Bean

Mother · 06-12-2000, 05:16 PM

I did it this way:

I bought an expensive digital co-ax and an optical toslink, removed them from their boxes and laid them out on my carpet.

I then left my 6 month old Norwegian Elkhound in the room alone as I went shopping for a new CD player to replace the one she had just chewed up.

When I returned, the optical cable was chewed and eviscerated beyond belief. So I used the digital co-ax cable.

Easy enough and it sounds fine.

------------------
Mother
listen.to/radiodecay/ | ICQ Me!

Taxi · 06-12-2000, 05:32 PM

Sooo... You're saying that optical cables only taste better?

------------------
Taxi
DVDFile Moderator
taxi@dvdfile.com

Mother · 06-12-2000, 08:21 PM

Ha! Yes, according to my dog (Maya), the optical is very tasty. Good fiber.

------------------
Mother
listen.to/radiodecay/ | ICQ Me!

Kevin M · 06-20-2000, 12:18 AM

I find that with DD 5.1 or DTS 5.1 material there is no difference between the two but with PCM digital tracks on LD's & CD's coaxial's bass isn't as "boomy" as toslink, which to me is a good thing.
I have had my wife & brother do a "blind" test & both of them have said that the coax(unknown to them which it was) sounded less hard or harsh or it was nice and "warm" so I guess it depends on what you like in bass sound, they didn't hear any difference in 5.1 stuff.
Thats what I found anyway,coax is good for CD's & LD's.

------------------
-------Kevin M.-------

"that would have worked if you hadn't stopped me"

06-05-2000, 07:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
MadMax Supporting Actor Join Date: Jun 2000	Optical vs. coax cables After searching several DVD and hi-fi audio sites, I can't seem to locate a definitive answer to whether optical toslink or digital coax cables are better overall for DVD playback. Everyone that has an opinion is trying to sell something, it seems, which is fine. I want an objective answer, though. Anybody have any thoughts on the subject?

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06-05-2000, 10:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dominik Pfleghaar Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Elm Street 123	Oh-oh... the famous coax vs. optical debate You may read this thread where we had this debate before... but beware, it got kinda emotional. There you will also find my opinion concerning your question. [Fixed old link - Taxi] ------------------ Unca Dom dvdfile.com Administrator pfleghaar@dvdfile.com [This message has been edited by Taxi (edited 07-17-2001).]

06-06-2000, 02:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mother See: Eye (Hairy) Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Michigan	Ha! Whoa. . .that thread did get a bit "hot". Hehehe. . .Hmmmm. . . . ------------------ Mother listen.to/radiodecay/ \| ICQ Me!

06-06-2000, 12:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
MadMax Supporting Actor Join Date: Jun 2000	You guys must really take your cables seriously. I feel like I need a drink or something after reading that previous thread. Thanks for the quick reply, Dominik. I can't imagine that a more thorough trouncing of the topic could be offered... any other opinions/experiences to share, fair readers?

06-07-2000, 02:58 AM	#5 (permalink)
*1138* Producer/Admin Careful, or I'll ban myself... Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: San Jose, CA	God, it was pretty bad in terms of heat, wasn't it? Yikes. Well I'm glad to say that Justin and I sorted it out later in terms of the personal stuff. We left it on friendly enough terms. I think we pretty much also agreed to disagree as the saying goes. ------------------ Floyd is pink. Lando is a sex machine.

06-07-2000, 03:19 AM	#6 (permalink)
Dave Bean Moderator Emeritus Late to the Party Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: New York City	Here's my basic opinion: The only advantage that optical has over coax is that optical is not subject to electrical interference. If you think that you system does not sound good...if you hear a weird "hum" or some weird noise, try optical. Otherwise, stick to cheaper coax. If you really want to experiment, get both. Then blindfold yourself and have a friend switch between the two (without telling you which is on, of course) and see if you can tell the difference. If you truly can't, and most people can't, stick to the cheaper alternative. Just make sure you can return the other one, no questions asked. Dave Bean

06-12-2000, 05:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
Mother See: Eye (Hairy) Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Michigan	I did it this way: I bought an expensive digital co-ax and an optical toslink, removed them from their boxes and laid them out on my carpet. I then left my 6 month old Norwegian Elkhound in the room alone as I went shopping for a new CD player to replace the one she had just chewed up. When I returned, the optical cable was chewed and eviscerated beyond belief. So I used the digital co-ax cable. Easy enough and it sounds fine. ------------------ Mother listen.to/radiodecay/ \| ICQ Me!

06-12-2000, 05:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
Taxi Admin Emeritus Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Orygun	Sooo... You're saying that optical cables only taste better? ------------------ Taxi DVDFile Moderator taxi@dvdfile.com

06-12-2000, 08:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mother See: Eye (Hairy) Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Michigan	Ha! Yes, according to my dog (Maya), the optical is very tasty. Good fiber. ------------------ Mother listen.to/radiodecay/ \| ICQ Me!

06-20-2000, 12:18 AM	#10 (permalink)
Kevin M Actor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: mid west	I find that with DD 5.1 or DTS 5.1 material there is no difference between the two but with PCM digital tracks on LD's & CD's coaxial's bass isn't as "boomy" as toslink, which to me is a good thing. I have had my wife & brother do a "blind" test & both of them have said that the coax(unknown to them which it was) sounded less hard or harsh or it was nice and "warm" so I guess it depends on what you like in bass sound, they didn't hear any difference in 5.1 stuff. Thats what I found anyway,coax is good for CD's & LD's. ------------------ -------Kevin M.------- "that would have worked if you hadn't stopped me"