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-Opt...QAAOSwACZZqAgv

[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-Opt...QAAOSwACZZqAgv

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.

[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-Opt...QAAOSwACZZqAgv

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.

[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-Opt...QAAOSwACZZqAgv

They look very similar to these from Am.uk -
https://www.amazon.co.uk/XO-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

[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.