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Why do digital cables sound different?

I have been talking to a few e-mail buddies and have a question that isn't being satisfactorily answered this far. So...I'm asking the experts on the forum to pitch in. This has probably been asked before but I can't find any references for it. Can someone explain why one DIGITAL cable (coaxial, BNC, etc.) can sound different than another? There are also similar claims for Toslink. In my mind, we're just trying to move bits from one place to another. Doesn't the digital stream get reconstituted and re-clocked on the receiving end anyway? Please enlighten me and maybe send along some URLs for my edification. Thanks, Dan
danielho
bmpnyc
713 posts
 
For some reason all of these explanations are never good enough for some people. This topic inevitably leads to a long debate. Science tries to explain an experience and often falls short. All I need to know is that I tried 5 different coax cables and they all sounded different. One was consistantly better than the others, and I bought it. Anyone who can't hear the difference needs work on their listening skill.
dekay's avatar
dekay
5,541 posts
 
Hear Hear.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,208 posts
 
My experience is that there are definite differences between digital cables. I suspect it has more to do with the interface of the plugs and sockets (particularly w/ RCAs) than it does with the cable itself.
1439bhr
85 posts
 
Another point: it could be that different cables have differing degrees of shielding effectiveness, and therefore, generate different levels of RFI which is coupled back into the analog electronics. P.S. Don't knock science and engineering. That's what gave you something to listen to. Empiricism has its place, but progress depends on interpreting those results in the framework of physical laws and analytical principles -- or else we'd still be riding ox carts with wooden disc wheels over stone bridges.
bmpnyc
713 posts
 
1439, I agree with you as well, but I think there are enough possible explanations available to accept that there are differences between cables, and get on with picking the best one for their system, instead of continuing to deny that reality.
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