2. cables
  3. 975720190

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 2 responses by warjarrett

warjarrett
105 posts
 
Longer digital cables sound better than short ones, according to my ears. My listening tests were with Illuminations SPDIF and PS Audio Statement AES/EBU, comparing 1/2 meter to 2 meter lengths. Has anyone else also found this to be true? Anyone have a technical explanation?
warjarrett
105 posts
 
As usual, when I explain audio cables, I remind everyone first exactly what is "the scientific method". As an engineer myself, trained in science, I don't try to explain anything until AFTER I have conducted a test, using my senses and my powers of observation to determine the human response to an issue. Then, and ONLY then am I ready to search for the explanation of why these observations occured. As scientists, we NEVER search for an explanation first, then force ourselves to observe what we logically determined to be true before-hand. So, the answer to "do digital cables sound different" is 100% in the ears of the observer. Then, the EXPLANATION of why must be consistent with that subjective experience. In other words, I listen first, with a complete reliance on my subjective ability to hear any difference. Then, and ONLY then, can I create hypothesis to explain why.
More to discover