|   Two Questions! | Jimi hendrix
Jan 8, 2003 12:58 AM | | First off which of the following cables by "Monster" should I get for digital audio:Optic or coaxial?Secondly which receiver should I get?Pioneer VSX-D711 or Yamaha RSX-V630.Thanks in advance. |
| re: Two Questions! | kfalls
Jan 8, 2003 5:36 AM | | Supposedly a coax cable is more accurate because there's no conversion from optical, but I like the sound of the optical better between my Audioquest coax and Monster optical. I'm sure I'll get slammed for this "since digital is digital", but I know what my ears tell me.
In general, I prefer Yamaha over Pioneer when it comes to receivers. I believe Yamaha's discrete outputs are better than Pioneer's ICs and they have better engineered DSP and control circuitry. I've had several Yamaha's components over the years, R-8, RX-V2092, RX-V2095 receivers, DVL-700 Combi-Player, DSR-100 Pro surround processor, etc. and never had a failure. I've also owned one Pioneer receiver and several video pieces. I don't remember the receiver model, but I had it just a short time before selling it to my brother. I didn't like the sound, control, or setup features. I still have a Pioneer PRO-100 RPTV, which I felt was one of the best at the time of purchase and a 414 DVD player which is still going strong.
My opinion is to stay with Denon/Yamaha/Onkyo (in that order)for mid-fi Home Theater audio and B&K as an affordable step up. If you decide to go with optical over coax, stay away from the cheapy thin cables (around $10-$15)with the plastic connectors and non-insulated fiber, they are not worth the effort and are difficult to handle and don't connect well. |
| I almost agree... | jeskibuff
Jan 8, 2003 6:37 AM | | ...but I would go with coax rather than optical for the following reasons: cost and fragility (of optical). I have both and can't tell the difference in audio quality.
Concerning Pioneer and Yamaha, if at the same price level I would almost ALWAYS choose Yamaha over Pioneer. I've just seen Pioneer always try to cut corners in their manufacturing. I believe Yamaha has a better conscience in building their products. There will always be exceptions to the rule, but I believe it has merit. |
| re: Two Questions! | Keith from Canada
Jan 8, 2003 6:58 AM | | As a general rule of thumb, I would recommend coax for two reasons, the most important of which is cost. The second reason has to do with the length of the run. Optical is fine for short runs but can get damaged if run long and bent around corners.
In terms of audio quality, neither will be superior to the other. |
| Thanks again!! | Jimi hendrix
Jan 8, 2003 2:05 PM | | I'm glad you guys favoured the Yamaha over the Pioneer,because deep down I wanted the Yamaha but thought I'd ask before doing so.Regarding the optical ,coaxial question I think I 'll get the coaxial by "Monster" even though they are very expensive over here in peace loving Israel,so thanks once again and a happy new year to all. |
| Hendrix, we meet again! | cicone
Jan 9, 2003 1:15 PM | | Go for the Monster coax. I'm using 1 meter of Monster m1000d and it kicks the heck out of their comparably priced toslink. I don't want a flame war on 1's and 0's and bit is bits, etc...All I can tell you is that I thought the toslink was too sterile and analytical and also a bit harsh at the high end. I found the coax to have a little more of a silkier presentation, more analogish. Some may say that is from "coloration". No matter. What's important is how all the components along the chain effect what finally comes out of the speakers. For my components, coax gave me the smoothest, cleanest and nonfatiguing end result. BTW, any good store will let you compare at home and return the one you don't like. Check it out and decide for yourself. Also, get some Caig DeOxit and ProGold and treat your connections. The Caig website will show you dealers in your area. I had to have it shipped to Florida from Atlanta. $30 bucks total inc. shipping should last a lifetime. ..."the machine...that we've built...will never save us"................. |
| re: Two Questions! | Harinder
Jan 9, 2003 9:32 AM | | This is a very interesting issue. Coax or Optical both are digital signal of 0 and 1. Regardless of what is used for signal input DAC (digital to analog converter) has to play its role either DAC of your receiver or DAC as a separate unit. Length is not an issue on either of the cables, but Optical cable does cost significant more for longer lengths. Telecom world has an Optical cable laid down under Atlantic ocean for fast and reliable communication between Europe and North America (just one little example of optical network application). Optical digital signal suppose to be better than electrical digital pulse signal passed through COAX cable. Other advantage of Optical signal is its only light traveling through Optical cable made of silica (glass or sand what ever you call it) which is more durable than steel if you compare its physical characteristics. Other advantage is electromagnetic interference from all the electromagnetic generators of audio world such as power cables, amplifiers, and all other gadgets. Have you ever wonder why they never mention an optical cable ‘SHIELDED’? Optical cable has to be of good quality, because minor flaws in manufacturing could affect signal accuracy, but then again most of the DACs has logarithm program encoded as software in EPROMs to fix bit error rate. Most of the Sony receivers do recommend COAX instead of Optical, but as far as I can think of the reason is because any audio cable can be used to link digital COAX.
So its just simple personal taste and feeling of satisfaction just like any thing else. Better DAC circuitry is the one that contributes most significant difference in accurate sound reproduction of any digital recorded media.
Next topic should be if 220V ac signal is better or 110V ac to run audio equipment even though both are converted into same DC in equipment. 50Hz AC signal or 60Hz AC signal that could open can of worms too. Again it all converted into DC 0Hz signal when hit the electronic equipment. I am pretty sure 60Hz signal might be ringing more bells in someone’s ear than a 50Hz input AC signal. |
| |
