SPDIF: what's better coaxial or TOS link?

[vseus]

So, now that I have two new TOS link cables I didn't really need to buy, I wonder what's a better signal quality? TOS link or Coaxial for SPDIF transfer?

[GZsound]

My understanding is there is no difference between the quality of the signal. It's digital no matter which protocol you use.

[MisterX]

Tos-link is more likely to encounter problems with jitter http://www.audioforums.com/forums/biggrin.gif

[martin armsby]

Tos-link has the advantage of being Galvanically seperate and can't introduce earthing hum or other electrical problems.

[wogg]

I believe the translation of martin's reply would be that since the TOS-Link cable is light rather than an electric signal, it cannot pick up interference from powerlines and other RF emmiting sources (PC's are excellent RF emitters).

Actually the Galvanic seperation is a bit more than that. Since the connection is optical, there is no electrical connection between the equipent which means no chance of ground loops.

I had to look up that one, excellent obscure term martin http://www.audioforums.com/forums/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by wogg (edited 04-22-2003).]

[martin armsby]

Yeah I know - I've been living in Germany for too long, some things may need translation even though they sound English to me http://www.audioforums.com/forums/wink.gif

[martin armsby]

Actually, after doing live sound for years and comming "into" studio work I was amazed at how many sound or better audio cards offer unbalanced conections! On stage its standard to seperate things galvanically with all-be-it expensive transformers DI boxes etc. Even electronicly balanced mixers can pick up HUM in a live situation. So I naturally thought somthing as mad as a PC shouldn't be galvanically connected to a mixer.

[vseus]

Thanks!

[MrM]

coaxial SPDIF can pick up hum when connected to a PC, groundloops are also possible. It can even introduce spikes that cannot be heard, but those spikes can mute your DAC, mine did; my DAC went to safety mode for a few seconds.

optical SPDIF is far better when you want to connect to a PC.

That is a matter of my experience, not opinion.

Regards, MrM