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Why do digital cables sound different?

I have been talking to a few e-mail buddies and have a question that isn't being satisfactorily answered this far. So...I'm asking the experts on the forum to pitch in. This has probably been asked before but I can't find any references for it. Can someone explain why one DIGITAL cable (coaxial, BNC, etc.) can sound different than another? There are also similar claims for Toslink. In my mind, we're just trying to move bits from one place to another. Doesn't the digital stream get reconstituted and re-clocked on the receiving end anyway? Please enlighten me and maybe send along some URLs for my edification. Thanks, Dan
danielho

Showing 3 responses by theaudiotweak

theaudiotweak
2,806 posts
 
As there are in power cords great differences are to be heard in digital cables..Much to do about time and phase coherency. Tom
theaudiotweak
2,806 posts
 
Less makes for more. More musical results from less error correction. That be a fact Jack...Tom
theaudiotweak
2,806 posts
 
Sometimes there is much more involved than meets the ear while doing quick a/b comparisons in wire. Geometry of the wire, conductor material and dielectric material need to find their relaxed neutral state of mind once they have been disturbed and reattached again. This I found to be true of cables that have been playing in the same position in the same system for a year or more. They need to settle back which may take a 1/2 hour or more. Tom
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