Cable question

The answer to the question is like most things with audio - it depends on the gear that's sending and receiving the data.

Whenever I have the option, I try both. I don't think I've ever never not preferred coaxial to optical in a comparison. My Bluesound Node 2i was far superior via coaxial into my Marantz SA-10.

Optical cables are cheap but there are more expensive coaxial cable options. My favorite coax is actually a Blue Jeans Cable coax that is reasonably priced. I have coaxial cables that are magnitudes greater in price and I prefer the Blue Jeans for $30 or whatever it was. I don't understand why but different coax cables altered the sound I heard.

I'm using optical just because that's what i had laying around. I was also thinking of the BJC coax. I will try that. Thanks.

Yes. Optical is compromised. But the question is can you hear it? That is equipment dependent… is your equipment sensitive enough to make it obvious?

Only one way to find out. Get an appropriate digital cable.

I have been pursing high end audio for fifty years. I have always known I would continue pursuing better and better systems. So for me, I would always stay away from known potential issues that could compromise the sound… like different length speaker cables. Evaluating sound quality is very time consuming. So I would spend my time on the big stuff… evaluating components, cables, interconnects, power cords and just take for granted stuff like cable elevators, no different length cables, etc.

That has been my strategy and it has worked as each generation system has gotten much better and I now own a world class sounding system customized to my taste.

@rnrmf1971 nailed it.  It all depends on how the sending unit's outputs are implemented, and on how the receiving unit's inputs are implemented.  You might hear a big different, a slight difference, or no difference at all.  The cable doesn't exist in a vacuum (so to speak).

Sorry to post off topic on this thread but I’m trying to contact ghdprentice..

@ghdprentice I sent you some questions through Audiogon messaging. I’d appreciate it very much if you could help me out.