How do you know when to use ANALOG vs DIGITAL?

There really is no such thing as an "analogue" or "digital" interconnect. When someone refers to a "digital" RCA based interconnect, it is typically assumed that the cable maintains a nominal impedance of 75 ohms. As mentioned though, this is "assumed" and NOT set in stone as ANY interconnect can be called whatever the manufacturer wants to call it. As far as "analogue" interconnects go, anything goes so long as signal flows through it completing the circuit path.

Having said that, "digital" interconnects would typically be used between a transport and a DAC or from a DVD player to a Pre / Pro when using the DAC's inside the surround processor. Most anything else would be considered "analogue" turf, including connecting the output of your CD player to your preamp, etc... Having said that, digital cables will typically work fine in that type of location as they will pass the signal while maintaining their 75 ohm nominal impedance. The reverse is not always true though, as some analogue cables can't be used as a digital interconnect. This is because they will not allow the digital source to lock with the device receiving the signal due to increased jitter and / or severe vswr problems. As such, connecting a digital source to a DAC can be far more picky than connecting any other type of "analogue" devices to each other.

I hope that you were able to follow along with this. It can be kind of tricky as a CD player IS digital, but the output from the built in DAC's of the player are "analogue". Sean
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Brent: What can i say other than "Thank You" for your kind words. I do what i can, when i can. Hopefully, others draw their own conclusions from my posts and understand that i am only providing one source of information, albeit "tainted" with my own experiences and level of understanding. As such, they should consult multiple points of view on any given subject, sort through each response and then form their own opinions based on the diversity of thoughts on the subject. W

While i do have very specific thoughts on most subjects, that is only because i've tried to follow that same path when trying to educate myself. With that in mind, NOBODY has all the answers, hence a compendium of references always comes in handy. That is why such places as Agon and AA are so vital when it comes to bettering our understanding and systems without going broke ( not that i'm not broke already : ) Sean
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George probably does have a point though Jeff. I was always taught that you can't use a form of the word when trying to define the word itself. As such, my explanation using the very terms that were asked about may have only confused someone with reduced background on the subject. If that is the case, i would hope that they would ask for further clarification / help. There are those on Agon that are always willing to lend a hand, no matter how silly or simple someone else thinks it is. As such, it is better to ask for further assistance than to remain completely in the dark on the subject. Hopefully, that's not the case here, but we may never know unless Vman responds. Sean
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Dekay: I tend to "favour" the "olde English" spelling variations of several words. Having said that, i typically say "aluminum" even though it was originally called "aluminium" by the English : ) Sean
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Steve: I'm gobsmacked!!! That was brill!!! : )

As to the other responses, thanks for the support and kind words. If someone doesn't understand what i'm trying to say, please ask for clarification. As you all know, i'm not afraid to type at length : ) Sean
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