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#1
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What's better? Audio via HDMI or Optical?
Heho!
Given: A small HTPC. Audioquest Carbon to the Pre. Sounds really good. Just a real cheap optical cable just for testing purposes. I wonder if - in general (!) - one beats the other. What are your experiences? Good HDMI- vs good Optical-Cable. Who's normally the winner? (If the winner is optical i could buy a real good optical cable and a normal Stereo-Pre-Amp just with optical input. Want to replace my too normal Rotel as everything else is in the High-End-League now. Hurricanes arrived yesterday...)
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B&W_802D3+DB2D|Wadia_830|Nubert_NuPower A|CA Edge NQ|Audioquest |
#2
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If you want all the best lossless surround formats, it has to be hdmi.
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#3
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No need for Surround. Only Stereo.
The sound is more open via my HDMI. More explosive. More details. If you have Tidal, this is an excellent song to hear the differences: https://tidal.com/track/58099923 (Count Basie from 1958, Moten Swing No 1) Maybe it's just the cheap optical cable. That's why i'm asking here.
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B&W_802D3+DB2D|Wadia_830|Nubert_NuPower A|CA Edge NQ|Audioquest |
#4
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Doesn't matter. The higher quality formats mix down to stereo.
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#5
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Optical involves a digital to optical conversion and then back again, which has the potential to increase jitter. I've found optical to have the poorest performance of any other interface. I use it only when there is no other choice. I've also found it is very dependent on the components used. If you go for a high end optical cable, make sure it is returnable.
Tom
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Main System: Amati Futura Mains Amati Homage VOX Center, Proac Response 1sc Rears, Three MC2301's for L,C,R MC 602 for the rears C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80 Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material. Lake House: Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3 OnDeck: McIntosh MAC 4300v |
#6
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An interesting read and a place to buy good inexpensive optical cable:
bluejeanscable.com/store/digital-audio/index.htm Last edited by Masterlu; 07-01-2018 at 04:56 PM. Reason: Direct links to non-Sponsors that sell direct are not permitted. |
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