Cables for digital audio.
Quality cables preserve the dynamic and precise sound of the original recording. Even good cables cannot improve or extend the quality of the sound that is recorded on the disc.
But poor quality cables can limit the frequency, as a result of which the sound will be flat and not animated. Therefore, when purchasing audio cables, the following will suit you:
– Cables with an oxygen-free copper center conductor (OFC) as they almost guarantee that the signal is not lost.
– The best shielding you can find is cables that include two separate shields: one braided copper for RFI shielding and one foil for EMI shielding. This will help protect the signal from noise and contamination.
– Good connectors that provide constant high pressure contact with the receiver sockets. If the cables you choose have metal plugs, look for gold-plated to prevent corrosion and reliably maintain a high-quality signal.
Digital audio connection
This connection should be your top priority when it comes to sound. It generally provides the best audio quality, including the ability to reproduce surround sound. Here are three main types of audio cables.
• What does HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) do? This type of cable can carry high definition video and audio, while all information is transmitted over a single cable. It uses a 19-pin connector to transfer digital video and audio signals between components, eliminating the threat of loss of audio quality caused by digital-to-analog and reverse conversions. This cable is capable of transmitting surround sound and supports up to 8 channels of super high quality “lossless” soundtracks, including the latest Blu-ray high definition audio formats such as TrueHD Dolby and DTS HD ™ Master Audio.
• When to use it? Whenever you connect an HD source to your home theater, such as a Blu-ray player, HD cable or satellite TV, or a game console.
• What should you pay attention to? The density of HDMI cables is incredibly high, so each strand must be within 1 / 20,000 of an inch to ensure the signal is displayed correctly. All cables are constructed of different materials and methods, and it is especially important to find a certified HDMI cable that transmits the signal with guaranteed quality. Remember that HDMI has undergone several changes throughout its history, including changes in audio characteristics. Make sure your cable meets HDMI standards.
• What are you doing? The optical cable transmits the digital audio signal as a pulse of light. In addition to coaxial (we’ll talk about it below), it can handle 5.1ch surround sound, but it can’t handle high-resolution audio formats from Blu-Ray discs. Today, equipment with an optical connection is more popular than coaxial.
• When to use it? Optical and coaxial digital cables are second only to HDMI. Almost all HDTVs have an optical connector for playing Dolby Digital audio with streaming output to your receiver. You will also find optical connectors on CD players, cable / satellite modulators, DVD players, and home theater players.
• What should I pay attention to? Because they use pulses of light rather than electrical pulses to transmit audio signals, optical cables are virtually immune to interference. However, it is still important to buy a quality cable as it can reduce “jitter” – small changes in the timing of digital signals that can damage sound quality. Good optical cables also tend to have tighter connectors for added resistance.
