Optical cables

[Bourneendboy]

I'm currently using one of Stan Beresfords optical cables between my Caimen SEG and Chromecast Audio, but am wondering whether there is anything to gain by using another cable.

The ones I have looked at with interest are Lifatec, QED Reference Optical Quartz and Blue Jeans Mitsubishi Eska. The Lifatec and QED are around £80 and the Blue Jeans £32. Does anyone use any of these cables and how do they compare to each other or others available? Are there any others that come highly recommended?

Oh and Happy New Year all!!

[jandl100]

I've tried quite a few TOSLINK cables from freebies to quite expensive glass cables, including the Lifatec.

The best sounding ones I have found, though, are quite cheap.
A vivid, vibrant and detailed sound, great stuff.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XO-1m-Optical-TOSLINK-Digital-Audio-SPDIF-Cable-White-GOLD-series-24k-Gold/253126280765?epid=1004560480&hash=item3aef80863d:g:veQAAOSwACZZqAgv

[wee tee cee]

Did an optical bake off a few years ago...the all glass cable Mark Grant sold did rather well against all comers.

Dont know if he has any knocking about but well worth a PM.

[Bourneendboy]

I've tried quite a few TOSLINK cables from freebies to quite expensive glass cables, including the Lifatec.

The best sounding ones I have found, though, are quite cheap.
A vivid, vibrant and detailed sound, great stuff.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XO-1m-Optical-TOSLINK-Digital-Audio-SPDIF-Cable-White-GOLD-series-24k-Gold/253126280765?epid=1004560480&hash=item3aef80863d:g:veQAAOSwACZZqAgv

Very interesting Jerry, especially the price!

Is it really better than the Lifatec?

[jandl100]

Very interesting Jerry, especially the price!

Is it really better than the Lifatec?

"really better"

Well, I think so.
I could afford either, and I fit myself out with the XO cable where TOSLINK connections are required.
I found the Lifatec a bit bland whereas the XO is vibrant and alive.
Your opinion on the matter, though, may differ from mine. ;)

[Landloper]

Happy New Year!

I have used a fair few optical cables over the years and struggle to tell the difference in sound between them:

[Chord Optichord @ £60
QED @ £20
Fisual Pearl @ £8
Profigold Ultra Performance @ £45
Van den Hul Octocoupler @ £65]

The only optical cords that sounded any different to me were the thin free ones that came with mini disc players/Walkman CD players - they were very jittery.

[Gazjam]

A while back was looking for the best digital hookup from dac to transport and tried a few optical cables, including the Lifatec.

On paper it should have been the best, but like Jerry I found it a bit safe sounding and lacking a sense of life about the music.
Of the ones I tried, the Mark Grant glass optical sounded the best.

Go with a glass optical cable over a plastic one, whatever your choice imo.

[Bourneendboy]

Thanks for your messages fellas!

I have ordered one of the XO cables Jerry has recommended and also a Fisual Hollywood that I have tried before but will give more serious attention to now.

[Pieoftheday]

I'm currently using a fisual Hollywood optical cable for TV duties but was tempted by the sonicwave glass cable but can't seem to find a UK seller,does anyone know of one ? Cheers Jim

[Bourneendboy]

I've tried quite a few TOSLINK cables from freebies to quite expensive glass cables, including the Lifatec.

The best sounding ones I have found, though, are quite cheap.
A vivid, vibrant and detailed sound, great stuff.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XO-1m-Optical-TOSLINK-Digital-Audio-SPDIF-Cable-White-GOLD-series-24k-Gold/253126280765?epid=1004560480&hash=item3aef80863d:g:veQAAOSwACZZqAgv

I've been comparing a few cables this morning and the XO cable is exactly as you describe. It's going to stay in place for a few days now before rechecking against the others again.

[jandl100]

I've been comparing a few cables this morning and the XO cable is exactly as you describe.

Of course it is. :)
Glad to help - an invoice for consultancy fees will be posted to you this evening. :D

[agk]

I've the shorter black variant on its way as you've done the testing guys. Freebie in place until it arrives so a good comparison will be had.

I may have to buy the Lifatec just because I'm a tart.

[jandl100]

Buy the white ones. ;)

[Pieoftheday]

Buy the white ones. ;)

That's just crazy, blue surely,?

[Bourneendboy]

I've the shorter black variant on its way as you've done the testing guys. Freebie in place until it arrives so a good comparison will be had.

I may have to buy the Lifatec just because I'm a tart.

I bought the black 0.5mtr from UKHDMI for just over a fiver including postage. Let us know what you think when you have had time for a listen.

I'm still tempted to try a glass one, but probably not the Lifatec as it sounds like it could have the opposite sound signature to the XO.

Anyone tried the QED Reference or Wireworld Supernova?

I called Mark Grant a couple of days ago and he did say he had been asked for a glass cable on a number of times recently and was going to see if he could find another to supply.

[agk]

That's just crazy, blue surely,?

Blue is the colour after all.

I went for the black because I want inky darkness behind the music.

[agk]

Poop. Just realised I've ordered mine too short.

I've found what I think is a cable being sold by one of our forum vendors at a considerably cheaper price so have ordered one a metre long.

I shall stash the other away for future use.

[Rob Tube]

Motivated by your fndings I ordered two XO 2m Optical TOSLINK Digital Audio SPDIF Cable - White, GOLD series I usually stream but have the tv and my Onkyo cd player with toslink connected to my Dac. I never bothered to change these for high quality cables, but my cd's didn't sound as good as when streaming, and sometimes it is just fun to listen to a cd, and for under £20 for two cables it is hardly a gamble. I look forward to test them.

[Rob Tube]

I got the cables on Sunday they improved the sound quite a bit, I can’t hear the difference in streaming or a cd playing, also the sound of the tv is better, so that is a quite affordable upgrade.

[Audio Al]

Fisual Pearl +1:)

[dave2010]

I've tried quite a few TOSLINK cables from freebies to quite expensive glass cables, including the Lifatec.

The best sounding ones I have found, though, are quite cheap.
A vivid, vibrant and detailed sound, great stuff.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XO-1m-Optical-TOSLINK-Digital-Audio-SPDIF-Cable-White-GOLD-series-24k-Gold/253126280765?epid=1004560480&hash=item3aef80863d:g:veQAAOSwACZZqAgvThey look very similar to these from Am.uk -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/XO-Optical-TOSLINK-Digital-Audio-Ultra-White/dp/B06WWHD8PC/ref=sr_1_45?s=electronics-accessories&ie=UTF8&qid=1516382784&sr=1-45&keywords=optical%2Bcables&th=1

Most people seem to like them, and they come in different lengths if you want. However, I think I've got some of those - perhaps bought from eBay too - and the cable is very stiff. Not a big problem for me, but some have had issues with that. The stiffness also presents a problem if you want the cable to go round bends neatly.

I've not always been convinced that there's very much to choose between cheap and expensive optical cables - it's quite hard to see why it should make a difference - though I think there are factors which can influence the sound - possibly slightly. I thought that there was generally a view that it was better to go wired coax than optical Toslink. I have both and use different connections from time to time.

[Bourneendboy]

I've settled on a Supra ZAC Toslink cable. Not much in it compared to the XO cable, but it is very flexible and has nice fitting connectors on each end:)