Can digital cables be used as interconnects?

I have experimented recently with using digital interconnects between pre and amp - the result was an awful glare and voice blur. Consistent with Kijanki's technical explanation on signal scattering on low-grade copper grain boundaries. It is possible that some higher-priced digital interconnects be made of high-grade materials (to justify premium charged) - which might make them by chance also ok for analog.

Digital cables have poor metals since signal travels only on the surface at high frequencies. Usually it is plain low grade copper silver plated. Also the best dielectric you'll probably find is polyethylene. Everything is neglected since characteristic impedance is the most important factor (signal reflects on impedance boundaries). If digital cable is just a coax it has shield as a ground carrier (grounded on both ends) - bad with audio signals. Of course theory and practice are two different things.

I'm currently experimenting with Virtual Dynamics Master Series Digital from my CDP > PRE, and agree with Douglas schroeder's statement;
"a tremendously rich presentation and I find that if there is any decrease in detail it is so slight as to be almost negligible. Meanwhile, the body and richness they afford is remarkable. They have an effect not unlike putting a tube preamp into a SS system"

Thanks for the input. I don't own any digital cables (yet) but I see them for give-away prices from time to time. Thought it might be worth a try. Thanks again.

Yes, coax digital cables can be used as regular RCA interconnects. They sound fine. MonoPrice has some very good coax digital cables that are surprisingly well-built and quite inexpensive...

-RW-

In my Wire World Cables review for Dagogo.com I do precisely what you are wondering, and I share the results. Since that review I have continued to use a pair of Golden Starlight Digital Cables as ICs for my twin Pathos Classic One MkIII integrateds running mono. It is a tremendously rich presentation and I find that if there is any decrease in detail it is so slight as to be almost negligible. Meanwhile, the body and richness they afford is remarkable. They have an effect not unlike putting a tube preamp into a SS system. With some equipment it is a glorious result.

It is definitely worth the effort to try. It should not hurt anything to do so, and you may very much enjoy what it does tonally to the presentation. It is a curious experiment which might shock you at the outcome.

I have not tested this out with other brands, but with this pair of Digital Cables the results have been so positive that I usually try them on any rig I set up just to see what will happen. Also, on very high end rigs moving them to different locations in the system can influence the sound.

I've used Speltz anti-cables both ways, sounded good both ways.

No, But they can be used for component video. You'll need three. Having an old set of High Quality (slim pickin's) comp video cables can make three digital cables. Good to use for cable box or XM reciever.

Digital cables are made with a different impedance and so are optimized for dighital pulse transmission. But they will work for audio, perhaps not optimally. You won't hurt anything. Try it.