2. pc-audio
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Optical Digital Interface - Good or Bad?

I want to interface with my computer via the Logitech Duet so I can experience "PC Audio." However, I will keep my CD/DVD player hooked up to my DAC and I don't want to compromise that interface (via the digital coax). I'm not really familiar with any of the music servers on the market, but I assume I will need a physical interface between receiver and DAC (coax or optical). Since I want to keep the disc player connected via coax, I guess I would have to connect the Duet and DAC via the optical. Does the optical digital link degrade the signal compared with the coaxial digital link? What other options are there??
2chnlben
rlwainwright
1,904 posts
 
Don't worry about it, for all intents and purposes they are equal...

-RW-
mgattmch
556 posts
 
I recently asked the same question on Audiogon. Here is the link:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?ddgtl&1210878331&openmine&zzMgattmch&4&5#Mgattmch
palmerston
24 posts
 
You may find this comparison of Toslink vs RCA useful.
http://6moons.com/audioreviews/toslink/toslink.html
My experience agrees with their opinions.
Post removed 
ar_t
165 posts
 
TOSLINK is an inferior technology, period. Yes, galvanic isolation, but it has absolutely no other redeeming values.

Coax outputs can be good or bad. Slim Devices (as an example) stick ferrite beads in series with the coax output. This helps them to pass radiated emissions standards, but mucks up the sound.

So, any comparison between the 2 may not exactly be all that it is cracked up to be.

If all that you want is music, then TOSLINK will work. If you want something better, coax is the only real solution. But, not all coax outputs are identical, or even very good.
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