Optical Audio Cable

[counterofbeans]

Just had SkyQ installed and I need an optical audio cable to connect to the AV amp (Arcam AVR200).

Which camp do optical cables fall into - all the same so get the cheapest, or worth spending a decent amount on?

Any help much appreciated

[bristolracer]

Pretty much all the same
Dont spend too much, get one with decent strain relief/decent sheathing as they are not the hardest thing to break.

[Digitalize]

Essentially the internals are all the same, as long as it transmits light, but as said it's the connectors, resistance to bending/cracking, wire covering etc.

Don't skimp, but there's also no need to spend more than £20 unless very long.

[benz0]

There will be no difference in sound quality between any two correctly functioning optical cables, regardless of cost.

Anyone that tells you otherwise is a mug, charlatan, or both.

However some of the cheaper cables can bw a bit brittle on the plastic housing, but if you're plugging it in and leaving it this probably isn't an issue.

[jshell]

Same with HDMI cables. As long as they are 'High Speed', they're fine. Curry's tried to persuade me that the cheap ones give a poor signal - much mayhem ensued as I got them all together and ripped them for sharp practices. Pricks.

[counterofbeans]

Right then I'm off to Maplins with a tenner in my pocket

Thanks for the advice / saving me lots of money

[Digitalize]

Maplins is usually just as overpriced to be honest.

[ecotec]

I can recommend these KabelDirekt cables available from amazon, less than £5 for 1m


http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004YEEPNQ/ref=twister_...

as mentioned its a digital signal so it will work or not and if its just a short length no point spending too much,

[Some Gump]

^ as above - but not because "it's a digital cable so all the same", more "it's a glass fibre so all the same". Optical cables can only be classed as "working" or "not working".

[counterofbeans]

ecotec said:

I can recommend these KabelDirekt cables available from amazon, less than £5 for 1m


http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004YEEPNQ/ref=twister_...

as mentioned its a digital signal so it will work or not and if its just a short length no point spending too much,

Thanks, I've ordered one.

[ooo000ooo]

ecotec said:

I can recommend these KabelDirekt cables available from amazon, less than £5 for 1m


http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004YEEPNQ/ref=twister_...

as mentioned its a digital signal so it will work or not and if its just a short length no point spending too much,

I have one which seems to be directional, will only work if its connected up the right way. If I reverse it it doesn't work?

[ecotec]

ooo000ooo said:

I have one which seems to be directional, will only work if its connected up the right way. If I reverse it it doesn't work?

Very strange? optical cables are uni-directional???
all their stuff has an 18 month warranty email them to get a replacement assuming its not the equipment?

[Hilts]

benz0 said:

There will be no difference in sound quality between any two correctly functioning optical cables, regardless of cost.

Anyone that tells you otherwise is a mug, charlatan, or both.

However some of the cheaper cables can bw a bit brittle on the plastic housing, but if you're plugging it in and leaving it this probably isn't an issue.

Not entirely the case in my experience.

I swapped an out of the box 'free' cable which was working fine for a £15 one from a local hi-fi shop and the difference was really marked. Huge improvement in sound level/quality.

However I then swapped the £15 one for a £40 and there was no difference.