Apologies if this has been asked before, but are they? I have the Beresford TC-3617.
New Member
Location: Liverpool, UK
Posts: 25
I'm Ian.
Are digital optical cables directional?
Apologies if this has been asked before, but are they? I have the Beresford TC-3617.
Cheers,
Ian
Marantz CD6003, Denon PMA250SE, Mission 760iSE, Denon TU260L, Wireworld Luna 6 interconnects, Cambridge Pacific interconnect, Supra-Trico digital interconnect with Eichmann silver bullet plugs, Sennheiser HD600, Pro-ject Headbox S, Beresford TC-7530DC Bushmaster, Tacima CS929 mains conditioner, iPod Nano 5th Gen, Sennheiser PX100
Spotify + Facebook Moderator / Chilled-Out Wino and only here for the shilling
Location: Sunny Suffolk, UK
Posts: 15,952
I'm WrappingALilacCurtainAroundMyBobby.
If you plug it in one way and it sounds better than it did the other way, then I'd say yes.
In reality I've never noticed a difference (with almost any cable, to be honest...) so I usually just run them with the directional arrows pointing the right way, or following the writing if there is no such markings!
Other people may have a different view, of course!
Alex
Main System: Digital: HP Laptop/M2Tech Hiface/Logitech Media Server/FLAC; Marantz SA7001 KI Signature SACD Player and other digital stuff into Gatorised Beresford Caiman DAC Vinyl: Garrard 401/SME 3009 SII Improved/Sumiko HS/Nagaoka MP-30
Amplifier: Rega Brio R. Speakers: Spendor SP1. Cables: Various, mainly Mark Grant. Please see "about me" for the rest of my cr@p! Gallery
A.o.S. on Facebook - A.o.S. on Spotify - A.o.S. on Twitter
There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing and be nothing Aristotle
New Member
Location: Liverpool, UK
Posts: 25
I'm Ian.
Cheers Alex,
I'll try tonight, out of curiosity. My interconnects are directional (they have arrows on the plugs) but can't recall seeing any on the TC's. Mind you I couldn't get it out of the packaging and connected up fast enough to check!
Cheers,
Ian
Marantz CD6003, Denon PMA250SE, Mission 760iSE, Denon TU260L, Wireworld Luna 6 interconnects, Cambridge Pacific interconnect, Supra-Trico digital interconnect with Eichmann silver bullet plugs, Sennheiser HD600, Pro-ject Headbox S, Beresford TC-7530DC Bushmaster, Tacima CS929 mains conditioner, iPod Nano 5th Gen, Sennheiser PX100
Senior Member
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 2,302
I'm Richard.
ICs are often directional in so far as the screen may be connected at only one end. Other than that, I don't know. Optical is a different kettle of fish.
Senior Member
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 2,898
I'm Simon.
I've never seen optical cables outside of audio use marked for directionality, neither med-science or telecoms.
Kuzma Stabi/S 12", (LP12-bastard) DC motor and optical tacho psu, Benz LP, Paradise (phonostage). MB-Pro, Brooklyn dac and psu, Bruno Putzeys balanced pre, mod86p dual mono amps, Yamaha NS1000m
Senior Member
Location: A Strangely Isolated Place in Suffolk with Far Away Trains Passing By...
Posts: 14,535
I'm David.
I "thought" I could hear a difference when I tried it once upon a time, but in all honesty, I really believe now that it was "expectation bias" as far as optical cables are concerned.
Tear down these walls; Cut the ties that held me
Crying out at the top of my voice; Tell me now if you can hear me
Don McCorleone
Location: Galashiels
Posts: 13,696
I'm inthescottishmafia.
Can't see how TBH.
AV Room Forum Leader / Spaced Out
Location: North Cambs UK, Earth, Sol, Orion - Cygnus arm of galaxy
Posts: 11,166
I'm MadeOfDeadGiantStarsThatExplodedEonsAgo.
I'd be simply amazed if you could hear a difference, if you do however I'd put it down to the alignment of the optical fibre & the transmitter & receiver...
So depending on tolerances it may make a difference, but the fibre is in no way directional
Bests, Mark
"We must believe in free will. We have no choice"Isaac Bashevis Singer
Mad as a Box of Frogs
Location: U.S.A. Neo-Socialist Kalifornski
Posts: 3,262
I have owned a directional Digital cable that only worked in the direction of the arrow.
one of the (Apature JJ) one of the two returns is not connected at one end similar to a drain wire in a 2x2 construction. It is an odd ball in the cable world but it is truly a directional cable. http://www.apature.com/
I simply use silver in Teflon 1 in 2 out pretty standard fair now.but a real directional cable will not give you a 75 ohm load if reversed and will not work at all.
I use an all glass Tolsink cable and have never known fiber optics to be directional, more important is keeping the curve in the bend as wide as possible.
The best cables are made of good materials but built simple.
Don't over think wire.
I use this one.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-3-ft-GLASS...item5ae44888e1
Last edited by goraman; 29-08-2012 at 19:10.
Jeff :UBERTHREADKILLER
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
