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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
jburidan
803 posts
 
When can this issue go to the scrap heap of history?
sgreentdc78
5 posts
 
If all this is true, how come that the Purist balance digital cable between my cd and dac sounds different than the Nordost digital cable in a direct swap?
kiru
1 posts
 
I still dont understand what is the point in having a 75ohm cable when the input and output impedences of the components are not really 75ohm. Unlike pro equipment which seem to be true 75ohm with a transform termination. I do not see any transformer termination in consumer and even some high end equipment. Is it possible to have 75ohm impedence without transformer ?
I do agree that digital cables make a difference and jitter is the culprit.
alephman
107 posts
 
I think AES/EBU is a superior interface to co-ax. At least in my experience.
larryb
101 posts
 
Well, I never believed that there could be differences between digital cables - strictly ones and ohhs. But then I thought about it and realized that there's a significant difference between the sound of coax and toslink in my system. Hmmm - still ones and 0's but the cable DOES make a difference afterall.

I just ordered the famous Stereovox digital cable from Cable Company and fully expect it to tighten up the sound from the Monster Cable coax cable I'm using. Hopefully it will be good enough for 2 channel music, as even the Monster Cable isn't all that bad.
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