Are digital optical cables directional?

[IanL1962]

Apologies if this has been asked before, but are they? I have the Beresford TC-3617.

[Alex_UK]

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!

[IanL1962]

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!

[awkwardbydesign]

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.

[sq225917]

I've never seen optical cables outside of audio use marked for directionality, neither med-science or telecoms.

[DSJR]

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.

[Ali Tait]

Can't see how TBH.

[Reid Malenfant]

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 ;)

[goraman]

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-TOSLINK-DIGITAL-OPTICAL-CABLE-Premium-/390377015521?pt=US_Audio_Cables_Adapters&hash=item5ae44888e1