Digital cable optimal length?

Excellent info Al. Now it is much clear as to what is happening. So then, is it possible to precisely calculate optimum( high success rate) length for 44.1/16 bit data transmittal? I am getting greedy here. Is 4 m better than 3 m. I am sure I won't need longer than 4 m. Is AES/EBU automatically better either at 3m or 4m or SPDIF exceeds AEU/EBU for this lengths?

Thanks,

Nil

Nil -- If you are just using 44.1/16, based on my analysis above you should be equally good at 4m or 3m. It would probably be a good idea to try to cross-check that against actual user experiences, if you can find relevant information via search (here or via Google).

AES/EBU and SPDIF do not differ significantly in terms of protocol, bit rates, or clock rates, and therefore do not differ significantly in terms of the reflection effects we have been discussing. They do differ in terms of amplitude, use of balanced interfaces, etc., which would seem to favor AES/EBU (balanced connections, higher amplitude) for longer runs. Just as any longer run will benefit, in terms of noise immunity, etc., from being balanced and having higher amplitude (everything else being equal). But at only 4m, for a digital signal, I would suspect that the difference would not be particularly significant.

See the following, re the differences between AES/EBU and SPDIF:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spdif

Regards,
-- Al

Al, do BNC or RCA type plugs exist that have a true 75 ohms impedance? And what kind of mechanical joint would you apply between the conductor and the plug (to minimize impedance mismatch): soldering or crimping?

Chris

Chris,

BNC's: Yes.

RCA's: Generally no; in a few cases maybe/approximately/sort of. :)

See the last few posts in this thread: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?icomp&1233658634

As for crimping vs. soldering, I don't know; sorry.

Regards,
-- Al

YES- 75 ohm BNC and RCA connectors most certainly DO exist: Refer to the site URL that I posted previouly in this thread.