Toslink cable recommendation?

Posted by: Billy Rubin on 03 August 2010

Headphone system. Main source for DAC will be HDX-SD when it arrives.

Would also like to use the DAC via an optical digital cable connected to my large screen iMac to watch/listen to music DVDs and, to this end, am looking for a recommendation for a long length optical cable. Will probably need 7 to 10 meters in length but am looking to spend no more than around $200 US. Any suggestions?
Posted on: 04 August 2010 by garyi
ebay sell 20 metre ones over here for 8 quid. I used one for years in my last house.

Not sure what you are expecting from a SPDIF cable. Quailty of build is of course important but apart from the its a glass tube that will ether deliver the data or it will not, in which case the data delivery will fail.

In other words, don't spend through the nose.
Posted on: 04 August 2010 by pcstockton
you can get a 20meter toslink cable? Does it have built in amplifier/relays (or whatever they are called)?

I though 3-4 meters was the max.

I recommend Chord Optichord. Nice construction. Reasonably priced.
Posted on: 04 August 2010 by Aleg
quote:
Originally posted by pcstockton:
you can get a 20meter toslink cable? Does it have built in amplifier/relays (or whatever they are called)?

I though 3-4 meters was the max.

I recommend Chord Optichord. Nice construction. Reasonably priced.


Wiki:
quote:
TOSLINK cables are usually limited to 5 meters in length, with a technical maximum[1] of 10 meters, for reliable transmission without the use of a signal booster. However, it is very common for interfaces on newer consumer electronics (satellite receivers and PCs with optical outputs) to easily run over 30 meters on even low-cost ($0.75/m) TOSLINK cables.


-
aleg
Posted on: 04 August 2010 by Billy Rubin
Pat - where did you get your Optichord? Google hasn't helped...
Posted on: 04 August 2010 by rich46
also look at true colours industry tci hificables.co.uk
Posted on: 04 August 2010 by Develyn
I've been satisfied with Wireworld and Galen Carol Audio in USA (Texas).
http://www.gcaudio.com/cgi-bin...owProduct.cgi?id=197
Posted on: 04 August 2010 by pcstockton
quote:
Originally posted by Billy Rubin:
Pat - where did you get your Optichord? Google hasn't helped...


I bought through a Chord dealer. Your Naim dealer is most likely also a Chord supplier.

Buy through Gene Rubin if you want to buy online in states.
Posted on: 05 August 2010 by Skip
This is another UK company which makes a product that is available in the USA. I ordered a 1 meter version in plastic with a mini-toslink on each end. They come in glass fiber as well. You should call them and discuss their experience with longer lengths. I bet they would let you try an extra long version and return it with a restocking fee to cover their custom-build cost. After all, they can probably shorten your return and reterminate it. I have been very happy with mine.
Posted on: 05 August 2010 by pcstockton
Skip,

I presume one of the mini toslink terminations is for a Mac. What is the other side for? I dont know of anyone else who uses it?

thx
Patrick
Posted on: 06 August 2010 by 0rangutan
I'm sure there are other use but you can use the other end of a mini-TOSlink cable into the front input of a Uniti. This combines a 3.5mm aux input with a mini-TOSlink port. This is good for occasionanly plugging a laptop into the Uniti and not having to fiddle around the back and disconnect other cables.
John
Posted on: 06 August 2010 by Billy Rubin
Thanks to all for replies...
Posted on: 06 August 2010 by Skip
quote:
Originally posted by pcstockton:
Skip,

I presume one of the mini toslink terminations is for a Mac. What is the other side for? I dont know of anyone else who uses it?

thx
Patrick


Airport Express to Meridian F80. Mini-toslink on each end. Nice sounding little rig, too. It is no Uniti, nor UnitiQute, but it does a lot for a little box.
Posted on: 06 August 2010 by JYOW
quote:
Originally posted by Skip:
quote:
Originally posted by pcstockton:
Skip,

I presume one of the mini toslink terminations is for a Mac. What is the other side for? I dont know of anyone else who uses it?

thx
Patrick


Airport Express to Meridian F80. Mini-toslink on each end. Nice sounding little rig, too. It is no Uniti, nor UnitiQute, but it does a lot for a little box.

I used to do exactly that with my Airport Express and F80 with a Van Den Hul Optocoupler. But I did have that infamous Airport Express sync problem. How old is your Airport Express? Did you have that problem and fixed it with a firmware

May be I should try it with my AD88 again just to make sure.
Posted on: 07 August 2010 by Skip
I use the current version of the airport express. When I play iTunes I have no problem. When I stream internet radio, I get dropouts after about an hour. I did not realize that was a famous problem. I thought it was the network. If you know about this as an issue, I would love to hear from you. You can contact me directly using information in my profile.