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SB Touch to Metrum Octave: toslink, coax RCA, BNC?

I'm finally pulling the trigger on an Octave, and while I wait for it to arrive I'm thinking about the digital link to the SB Touch. I don't have a good digital cable (using Touch analog out), so need to buy one. Should I go for toslink or coax?

If toslink, it would be a glass "cable".
If coax, I know about the inability of the RCA plugs to achieve 75 ohm cables, and have seen comments about replacing the RCA on the Octave with a BNC connector. Good idea if a Touch is on the other end?

Input from experienced users is highly appreciated!

Thanks!
lewinskih01
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,432 posts
 
There are 75ohm RCA plugs. Good coax should be better than glass Toslink but I'm sure you'll find people with exactly opposite experience. It is system dependent.

Coax is sensitive to impedance mismatch and ambient electrical noise.

Toslink does not create ground loops but has slower transitions making it more sensitive to system noise.

Other people experience doesn't count, IMHO, since nobody has exactly the same system with the same noise, house wiring, area electrical noise etc.
rbautista
97 posts
 
You should be fine using the coax of the Touch. I use it without problems. Just use a good cable.
lewinskih01 OP
909 posts
 
Thanks guys. So I'm leaning towards coax with RCAs.

Should I DIY with true 75 ohm RCA plugs? BTW, which RCAs are "true" 75 ohm? WBT?

I have Purist Audio Museaus analog ICs, and doubt the RCA plugs on their Genesis RCA coax is truly 75 ohm.
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,432 posts
 
I used Canare 75ohm RCA plugs.
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