how big of a difference - Blu-ray Forum

BIGD · 08-06-2008, 05:01 AM

between digital optical and coaxil

BStecke · 08-06-2008, 05:09 AM

I think you'd be hard pressed to find any audible difference between the two. HDMI will allow you to do things neither optical nor coax will do, and thus give you better sound quality. Not just by the cable itself, but because of the different formats it would allow you to utilize.

welwynnick · 08-06-2008, 08:51 AM

Technically speaking co-ax should be better than optical, as there is one less layer of processing, but in practice the differences are not significant to my ears.

HDMI is another matter though. It sounds fantasic with LPCM etc, but co-ax and optical may sound significantly better in certain circumstances.

Nick

katharsis · 08-06-2008, 08:58 AM

I can't hear any difference between optical and coax. Had my old receiver hooked up with coax for a long time until a friend kept telling me optical will sound better. Well bought a cable about 6 months ago and sounds the same to me!

Cannot wait to upgrade to an HDMI capable one... just pointless at the moment because I cannot really crank up the system anyways due to the old guy living downstairs.

BRu-LAy · 08-06-2008, 06:20 PM

IME, optical was slightly better than coax, but the difference is very miniscule. You can't go wrong with either one.

Lucy Diamond · 08-06-2008, 06:57 PM

On paper, digital coax is supposed to be superior over short distances (under 3 feet)

I can promise you that under normal interconnect circumstances, you will not hear a difference.

I have both and I currently use both.
(my PAL dvd player only uses digital Coax)

They both reproduce sound beautifully.

Enjoy whichever you choose.

Best of luck with your search,

fattyslimslim · 08-06-2008, 07:13 PM

I think they are about the same thing.

MieDan4ever · 08-26-2008, 12:43 AM

I think they should both sound the same but some say that an optical cable could jitter the signal because after all its just a red beam. On the other hand the coaxial is a steady contact with the input. Thats how I look at it...more like...how it sounds. lol

-dan

Clark Kent · 08-26-2008, 12:25 PM

At the ultra high end of audio hardware some manufacturers refuse to even deal with optical connections due to the added jitter problems. On lower end equipment there is also the matter of getting a decent quality optical cable. Not all optical cables are made to the same quality and I've heard of it affecting sound quality to a small degree.

Big Daddy · 08-26-2008, 01:39 PM

See A Guide to Optical, Coaxial, and Speaker Cables.

08-06-2008, 05:01 AM	#1
BIGD Member Member since:Jul 2008	how big of a difference between digital optical and coaxil

08-26-2008, 01:39 PM	#10
Big Daddy Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Southern California Home Theater Gallery:79 Blu-ray collection:122 Trading Score:1	See A Guide to Optical, Coaxial, and Speaker Cables. Last edited by Big Daddy; 08-26-2008 at 03:59 PM.

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08-06-2008, 05:09 AM	#2
BStecke Blu-ray Knight Member since:Jun 2007 4K collection:182 Blu-ray collection:567 DVD collection:1 Digital collection:1 iTunes collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 1 Trading Score:6	I think you'd be hard pressed to find any audible difference between the two. HDMI will allow you to do things neither optical nor coax will do, and thus give you better sound quality. Not just by the cable itself, but because of the different formats it would allow you to utilize.

08-06-2008, 08:51 AM	#3
welwynnick Senior Member Member since:Sep 2007	Technically speaking co-ax should be better than optical, as there is one less layer of processing, but in practice the differences are not significant to my ears. HDMI is another matter though. It sounds fantasic with LPCM etc, but co-ax and optical may sound significantly better in certain circumstances. Nick

08-06-2008, 08:58 AM	#4
katharsis Power Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:SoCal Home Theater Gallery:16 Blu-ray collection:379 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:8	I can't hear any difference between optical and coax. Had my old receiver hooked up with coax for a long time until a friend kept telling me optical will sound better. Well bought a cable about 6 months ago and sounds the same to me! Cannot wait to upgrade to an HDMI capable one... just pointless at the moment because I cannot really crank up the system anyways due to the old guy living downstairs.

08-06-2008, 06:20 PM	#5
BRu-LAy Special Member Member since:Feb 2008 Location:Fortress of Solitude Trading Score:46	IME, optical was slightly better than coax, but the difference is very miniscule. You can't go wrong with either one.

08-06-2008, 06:57 PM	#6
Lucy Diamond Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Apr 2008 Location:The Tomb of Annihilation 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Digital collection:- Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:3	On paper, digital coax is supposed to be superior over short distances (under 3 feet) I can promise you that under normal interconnect circumstances, you will not hear a difference. I have both and I currently use both. (my PAL dvd player only uses digital Coax) They both reproduce sound beautifully. Enjoy whichever you choose. Best of luck with your search,

08-06-2008, 07:13 PM	#7
fattyslimslim Active Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Little Frisco, WI Blu-ray collection:181 Trading Score:2	I think they are about the same thing.

08-26-2008, 12:43 AM	#8
MieDan4ever Member Member since:Apr 2008 Location:Orange County	I think they should both sound the same but some say that an optical cable could jitter the signal because after all its just a red beam. On the other hand the coaxial is a steady contact with the input. Thats how I look at it...more like...how it sounds. lol -dan

08-26-2008, 12:25 PM	#9
Clark Kent Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Oct 2007 Location:Metropolis Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:184	At the ultra high end of audio hardware some manufacturers refuse to even deal with optical connections due to the added jitter problems. On lower end equipment there is also the matter of getting a decent quality optical cable. Not all optical cables are made to the same quality and I've heard of it affecting sound quality to a small degree.

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