Quality of digital cable from from source to DAC?

ecolnago
Have had opportunity to acquire several credit hours of physics, thermodynamics, etc. in my earlier years. While I can’t necessarily hold an in-depth conversation on ALL the various aspects involved as electricity passes thru metal, I do have at least a little understanding of that physical process and many of the factors/elements that might affect it.

>>>>Don’t be shy. Please share. I’ve been trying to get just that, an answer to the dodgy question, “what is the audio signal,” for some time.

Like I said before, show me in operation some optical glass fiber RCA interconnects, and we can start to conflate the discussion of analog and digital transmission.

>> But my desire to have understanding of most things is strong, particularly when they effect both my happiness and my wallet. <<

Such understanding is where you will find the most divergence of opinions about cables. Manufacturers -- and their customers -- have many hypotheses about what makes certain cables special. (I use "hypothesis" in the scientific sense, to mean an unproven yet plausible idea -- what non-scientists often call a "theory." A theory in science is something supported by overwhelming evidence.) Most hypotheses about cables are not supported by unbiased science. Given that, it becomes a matter of what sounds better to each individual. For various reasons, it's easy to lose the distinction between slight differences and clear improvements.

There are strong incentives for manufacturers and dealers to steadily increase the prices of their products, as well as to offer numerous products at various price levels. Whether they do so in good faith is not for me to say.

mike_in_nc
>>But my desire to have understanding of most things is strong, particularly when they effect both my happiness and my wallet. <<

Such understanding is where you will find the most divergence of opinions about cables. Manufacturers -- and their customers -- have many hypotheses about what makes certain cables special. (I use "hypothesis" in the scientific sense, to mean an unproven yet plausible idea -- what non-scientists often call a "theory." A theory in science is something supported by overwhelming evidence.) Most hypotheses about cables are not supported by unbiased science. Given that, it becomes a matter of what sounds better to each individual. For various reasons, it’s easy to lose the distinction between slight differences and clear improvements.

>>>>I actually don’t agree with the major points of your paragraph. It all depends on who you talk to what theory is involved, what is fact, what is evidence and what breaks some sacred Law of Science. And to a large extent on whose ox is being gored. Yes, I know what you’re thinking - well, somebody must know. 🤗

These kinds of discussion will get nowhere. Anyway here are facts:
1. It’s not zero’s and one’s.
2. It’s electrical signals.
3. Once you connect A to B, A will affect B electrically regardless.