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Toslink vs. RCA

In virtually every review of DACs and jitter reduction devices, RCA seems to be better than TOSLINK for the transmission of S/PDIF. This seems strange to me considering that a whole host of nasties like EMI and transmission line effects can be eliminated with optical transmission. Does anyone know why RCA is better?
jlambrick

Showing 1 response by gthrush1

gthrush1
241 posts
 
While I'm certain that there are differences, I am skeptical as to whether or not the average audiofool can delineate between the two formats.

Try to set up a double-blind comparison. I did, and I couldn't distinguish between Toslink and RCA. The only format that made an audible difference was AES/EBU. Even that was very minor, though.

I wouldn't spend too much time or money fiddling with this issue. Life's too short, and there's a lot of music out there to be heard. Ciao!
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