Digital cable v. standard interconnects


This may sound somewhat naive, but what is the difference between a "digital coax cable" and standard RCA-type interconnects? Is it truly necessary to connect a digital source with a digital cable, or will any decent IC work as well?
jason321
Ezmeralda is correct but all cable impedances are "nominal". In other words, they can vary with frequency.

You can actually use any interconnect as a "digital" cable. Since "digital" is basically an RF based signal, i would recommend something that is shielded. A simple twisted pair WILL work but it is also leaking ( more like "spraying" ) signal around the room. You will notice a difference in sound between cables when doing this if your system and hearing are up to the task. Sean
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Van den Hul carbon cables are said to be usable as digital cables in their literature. I use the Second (shielded version) as interconnects. I tried one as a digital cable but much preferred my Cardas Lightning digital cable.
Since going to a separate tranpsort and DAC, I've used Kimber Illuminations D60, MapleShade Golden Double Helix and Cardas Lightning L15, thinking that a 75 ohm cable was critical. A week ago I received a fully cryo'd Audition Package of Virtual Dynamics cables and cords. The first thing I noticed was that the digital cable was not differentiated from the RCA interconnects. An A'goN member who is familiar with the VIrtual Dynamics line told me that the two are interchangeable. Well, after listening to my system through an all Virtual Dynamics setup for over a week, I am just amazed at the improvement. The sound is better in all respects. Once the Auditions are fully burned I will try reinserting some of my other digital, speaker and interconnects back into the mix just to see how they fair, but for now I am far happier than I ever expected to be.
With my $3k system (all used .. about a $6k system new) I could not hear any difference between a Canare digital cable and a good quality home brew RCA interconnect. I even could not hear a difference when I swapped in one of the interconnects which came with my marantz CD player.

so I happen to think that in an inexpensive system, like mine, that digital cables don't matter. Save your money for the analog interconnects ... that's where the difference is.