Optical cable quality and price!

[Johnny Vinyl]

It's been said many times over on this forum that there is no difference between inexpensive and expensive HDMI cables.

Can this be said for Optical cables as well?

I need to link an optical cable from my HD cable box to my receiver.

Much to my surprise the HD cable box did NOT have an HDMI connection, so my only option is a Componant/Optical connection.

Any input is appreciated! Thanks!

[mastertang]

Optical cables are the same. It works or it doesn't. As usual, don't be fooled by monster cable.

I wouldn't worry about your no HDMI cable box. No broadcasts I know of use anything better than DD 5.1 or PCM 2.0, both of which are handled by optical connections.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Thanks for clearing that up. I'll be picking up a Rocketfish 4'ft Optical cable for $20. I suppose I could get it cheaper at monoprice, but I don't want to wait.

FDR - I use Philips 1.3 HDMI throughout my setup and have been satisfied. I've never had an issue with any of my componants and/or about the A/V quality.

And as an aside... Being in Canada I haven't ever entertained any Monster product as they are DOUBLE the price compared to the U.S. Which is a sin, as there is practically no difference between the value of our dollars.

Again, thanks for your input!

[cartman781]

Originally Posted by John72953

Thanks for clearing that up. I'll be picking up a Rocketfish 4'ft Optical cable for $20. I suppose I could get it cheaper at monoprice, but I don't want to wait.

With monoprice's deals I actually buy extra cables for use later or to giveto family members when they need one

[musicman1999]

There is a difference in optical cables, it's the connector. Cheap cables have a plastic end, good ones have glass ends. If you must use optical, glass is the way to go, if you can use coax digital, use that, for most applications coax is the better choice, they have far better connectors and in my system they sound a little better.

bill

[Clark Kent]

Not all optical cables are made of similar quality and unfortunately unlike HDMI can affect sound quality due to high jitter. I'm not saying to go out and spend ten times the cost of a cheap cable though. Use a manufacturer that doesn't cut corners and has a decent reputation for optical cables.

[BluPayne4400]

Can somebody link the best 6ft optical cable i should buy from monoprice? Thanks

[JJ]

Who would you recommend as a company, then, fellas - with these glass tips and reliable constructs and whatnot??

[crackinhedz]

Originally Posted by BluPayne4400

Can somebody link the best 6ft optical cable i should buy from monoprice? Thanks

PREMIUM 6FT Optical

personally these would be just as good:

6FT Optical



...plastic, glass, fiber, gold plated, diamond connectors 'etc'?

its mainly compressed audio anywhoo.

[BluPayne4400]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

PREMIUM 6FT Optical

personally these would be just as good:

6FT Optical

...plastic, glass, fiber, diamonds, gold plated connectors 'etc'?

its mainly compressed audio anywhoo.

Thanks. I just grabbed the standard ones for now. Need to penny pinch for a week after receiver

[Clark Kent]

A higher end alternative to the monoprice cables are these from Blue Jeans Cable:

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/...udio/index.htm

Each one is custom made to whatever length you want and the pricing is quite reasonable.