Digital optical cables, does quality matter?

[tart666]

Should I pay extra for a brand name? I just want to connect the digital out from my nforce to the receiver on my network MP3 box.

 

[stevewm]

Just get the cheaper cables. No since in paying for expensive cables when they will provide absolutely no improvement whatsoever. Remember the nature of a digital signal. Its ethier there, or its not. No in-between like analog.

 

[tart666]

Any links for cheap cables? The cheapest one I found is $20 at buy.com

 

[letsgopens]

Parts Express

do a search for OPTICAL CABLE

3 feet for $2.80, 6 feet for $3.25.

This place is one of the best kept secrets...some of the prices are so good you can pay retail and resell used on eBay and make profit.

 

[tart666]

thx, kewl

 

[CZroe]

Originally posted by: stevewm
Just get the cheaper cables. No since in paying for expensive cables when they will provide absolutely no improvement whatsoever. Remember the nature of a digital signal. Its ethier there, or its not. No in-between like analog.

"Sense" as in "sixth sense"; not "since" as in "the past"

Sorry, that just bothers me. Sort of like the more common "I could of done it." instead of " I could've done it." (Could have).

Good info tho'

 

[arcenite]

Why do you care how many emoticons are used? I have a few things to say about that, but I can't

Bill

 

[astroview]

Now the only reason I've heard it's better to buy brand name high quality optical cables is because the quality when making them is better.

Some argue that there can be dirt or other things in the cable when they are generic. Whether this is true is really kind of hard to say.

 

[WebDude]

I think you only need the "better" cables if you are running extra long lengths, without an optical signal booster in the line. For the standard lengths, I've yet to find a cheap cable that gave me problems.

 

[Eug]

The cheap ones break more easily. Other than that, they're fine.

 

[Gunbuster]

It is VITAL you get the monster cable optical because it has "Graded index optical fiber" "Monster-designed pressure connection" and "tuned spectral attenuation"

VITAL!, your house will burn down if you dont use it

/Sarcasm mode off

 

[CZroe]

The guy's right about Monster products.

 

[Ichinisan]

Funny thing is, that Gabe guy (Yellow Pac-Man shirt, strip artist) writes a column called "The Hook Up" where he discusses high-quality connections and promotes Monster to no end.