AudioQuest Pearl Digital Optical Cable

Item code: AQ Pearl Optical

5 23 reviews ✓ Verified
AudioQuest Pearl Digital Optical cable is constructed with low-dispersion fibers and precision polished fiber ends all contained within a black/gray stripe in-wall rated PVC jacket.
£34.95
£29.12
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SPEAKER CABLES:

A quantity of 2 means you will receive a pair of speaker cables e.g. for your front left and front right speakers. By entering a quantity of 1, you will get a cable for a single speaker e.g. centre speaker and this option also enables you to vary the length (and termination) of your cable for each speaker.

OTHER CABLES:

A quantity of 1 means you will receive a single cable in the case of aerial, satellite, subwoofer, digital coaxial & optical cables and a pair of cables in the case of 2 rca to 2 rca analogue audio cables.

NON-CABLE PRODUCTS:

A quantity of 1 means you will receive 1 of the specified products.

£29.12 ex. VAT
Available — built to order, dispatches in 24 hours
Delivery: Royal Mail Tracked 48  ·  DPD Next Day £4.95  ·  DPD Saturday £8.95
Order before 12pm (Mon–Fri) for same-day dispatch
Our promise: 60-day returns · Free burn-in · Built in our UK workshop · Lifetime warranty · Expert support on every order
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AudioQuest Pearl Digital Optical Cable

 

The audio frontier is all abuzz these days with the pleasure possible though HDMI, USB, FireWire® and Ethernet connections. However, these current generation digital technologies are only part of the story, just as the challenge of designing, manufacturing and choosing the best analog interconnects and speaker cables is as important as ever. The S/P-DIF (Sony® Philips Digital InterFace), which arrived in 1983 along with the CD, is still very much a part of our world today. S/P-DIF is transmitted through Digital Coax and Toslink fiber optics (EIA-J), making them still some of the most important cables in electronic entertainment.

While, thanks to HDMI, Toslink is not so often used to connect a DVD player to an A/V receiver, Toslink connectors are common on cable-boxes, TV sets, subwoofers, all sorts of products. And now, the 3.5mm Mini Optical connector, also somewhat incorrectly known as Mini-Toslink, is everywhere … from the 3.5mm dual-purpose headphone jack on a Mac laptop, to inputs on some of the finest portables.

For these many reasons, AudioQuest has refined and renewed our line of serious high performance OptiLink cables. All models and all lengths are now available Toslink to Toslink and Toslink to 3.5mm Mini Optical. When the question is “how can a fiber-optic cable change the sound?” … the answer is easier to explain than for almost any other type of cable. If the light source were a coherent laser, firing into a vacuum, all the light would stay straight, arriving at its destination at the same time. Even if the LED light source in a Toslink system were coherent, the light entering a fiber-optic cable is scattered and dispersed by imperfections and impurities in the fiber. This can be measured as a loss of amplitude … but amplitude is not the problem, a 50% true loss would have no effect on sound quality.

The problem is that the dispersed light does get through the cable, but only after it has taken a longer path, like a pool ball bouncing off the side-rails, causing it to arrive later. This delayed part of the signal prevents the computer charged with decoding this information from being able to decode properly, or even at all. The inability to decode shows first at higher frequencies (not audio frequencies, this is a mono stream of digital audio information), so reduced bandwidth is a measurable signature of light being dispersed by a fiber. The punch line: The less dispersion in the fiber, the less distortion in the final analog audio signal presented to our ears.

There is another serious dispersal mechanism in the Toslink system. The fiber is a relatively huge 1.0mm in diameter, and the LED light source is also relatively large, spraying light into the fiber at many different angles. Even if the fiber were absolutely perfect, the signal would be spread across time because light rays entering at different angles take different length paths and arrives with different amounts of delay.

The almost complete solution to this problem is to use hundreds of much smaller fibers in a 1.0mm bundle. Because each fiber is limited as to what angle of input can enter the fiber, there is far less variety, and far less dispersion over time. This narrow-aperture effect is similar to how a pin-hole camera can take a picture without a lens … by letting in light at only a very limited range of angles, a picture can be taken, whereas removing the lens from a wider aperture would make photography impossible. Less light gets through a multi-fiber cable, but the light that does get into the fibers comes out within in a much smaller time-envelope.

So there is one problem, the dispersion of light across time … and two avenues towards a better result: less dispersion in the fiber (better polymers and ultimately quartz), and less dispersion by filtering the input angle. How simple is that! Listen and enjoy.

 

 

Specification :

  • Low-Dispersion Fiber
  • Low-Jitter (Digital Timing Errors)
  • Precision Polished Fiber Ends
  • Black/Gray Stripe In-Wall Rated PVC

 

About AudioQuest

AudioQuest has been the largest cable supplier to the high-end specialist market for many years. AudioQuest is sold in several hundred outlets in the US and in over sixty countries. Bill Lowe (Founder) is especially pleased that this success has been possible despite his insistence that the foundation of the company, and the foundation of AudioQuest marketing, must be the performance of the product. In the audio world, many professionals have learned that it is not always convenient to listen to the products they sell … they might learn something they don’t want to know! Bill has always understood the challenge of basing the existence of AudioQuest on the performance of the product. However, to Bill, this is the only reasonable way to do business and the only acceptable way to combine his passion for music (and all things high performance), with his need to make a living.

Specification :

  • Low-Dispersion Fiber
  • Low-Jitter (Digital Timing Errors)
  • Precision Polished Fiber Ends
  • Black/Gray Stripe In-Wall Rated PVC

We use Royal Mail 1st Class services for our Standard Delivery.

Orders received before 4.30 pm Monday to Friday are usually dispatched the same day by FIRST CLASS post (unless premium postal or timed courier services are selected), subject to stock availability. This does not apply to custom-length cables and speaker cables as these require a longer timescale to terminate. This also excludes all cables selected for the burn-in service. Please note, we do not process orders on national holidays in the UK. Over 98% of our orders are delivered the next working day including Saturdays.

Standard delivery is usually within 2 working days, although 98% of all orders are delivered the next working day including Saturdays. In extreme cases, such as delivery to the Highlands and Islands, this may take 3 days.

All items are fully insured and come with an invoice from Future Shop. We use the Royal Mail for delivery of small packages and DPD Local or DHL for items that weigh over 2KG. Items over 2KG are fully insured and will usually be delivered within 48 hours of placing your order subject to stock availability. For international orders, we use FedEx or DHL services where customers have selected this option.

 

 

Please note, special orders for non-standard cable lengths may be subject to longer deliver time-scales. This may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

 

We offer 'Free delivery on orders over £99' subject to the following terms & conditions:

  • Applies only to orders with £99 or more of items (including VAT at the UK rate), at Future Shop
  • Free Delivery on orders over £99 utilises Royal Mail First Class postal service for items weighing under 2KG. For items weighing over 2KG, we use DPD or DHL next working day services which deliver from 9.00am to 6pm within mainland UK (excludes Royal Mail Special Delivery Services and timed next day delivery services by DPD or DHL).
  • Applies only to deliveries to addresses within mainland UK and Northern Ireland addresses. Applies only to orders that are to be delivered to a single Mainland UK delivery address.
  • You will not be eligible for free delivery on your order if any items are cancelled or returned for a refund, bringing the total order amount below £99. Where items are returned, the refund due will be the cost of the item less any postage costs.
  • We reserve the right to change or discontinue 'Free delivery on orders over £99 promotion at any time.
  • FREE DELIVERY FOR ORDERS OVER £99 OFFER DOES NOT APPLY TO TRADE CUSTOMERS.

UK Postal & Delivery Charges - FIRST CLASS

Free UK delivery on all orders over £99*

Weight Price (FIRST CLASS UK POSTAGE)
0000g – 1000g £ 3.95
1000g – 1400g £ 4.95
1400g – 1800g £ 5.95
1800g – 2000g £ 6.95
2000g – 3000g £ 8.95

* Free Delivery on orders over £99 utilises Royal Mail First Class postal service for items weighing under 2KG. For items weighing over 2KG, we use DPD or DHL next working day services which deliver from 9.00am to 6pm within mainland UK.

Free Delivery for orders over £99 excludes Royal Mail Special Delivery Services and timed next day delivery services by DPD or DHL.

 

Special Delivery UK - Guaranteed Next Working Day

We have 99.9% of the UK covered With Royal Mail Next Day Special Delivery. We guarantee delivery to most UK addresses by 1pm the next working day. This includes Northern Ireland, Jersey and Guernsey. Some places take longer to deliver to but we still guarantee delivery within three working days by 5.30 PM.

For the Next Day Special Delivery service, orders must be received by Future Shop by 4.30pm weekdays. Orders after the 4.30pm deadline cannot be guaranteed for same day dispatch.

Please note, Royal Mail Special Delivery for next working day may not be possible where non-standard cable lengths are ordered. If this is the case, the item will be shipped via The Royal Mail Special Delivery service as soon as the cable is custom made.

For orders weighing over 2KG, we reserve the right to ship items using Next Day Pre-Noon Courier Services where Royal Mail Special Delivery option has been selected.

 

Channel Islands & Northern Ireland

We accept orders from all Channel Islands including Alderney, Jersey, Guernsey and Sark. Unless you select a premium service, Items weighing under 2KG are delivered using our standard UK delivery option above. For items weighing over 2KG, a surcharge may be applied for all deliveries to the Channel Islands as well as Northern Ireland.

 

European Countries

Deliveries to EU member states are not subject to 20% VAT after December 31st 2020 and therefore the 20% VAT on items is automatically deducted when you log-in, register or proceed to place an order.

The customer will be liable for the VAT at the local VAT rate, duty on the import and the brokerage service fee if applicable. This may need to be paid in advance to your local Customs & Excise office or the delivery company before your order can be delivered.

We offer the following shipping services:

  • Royal Mail First Class International Airmail Services - Items are usually delivered within 3 to 5 working days.
  • Royal Mail Standard International Mail Services - Items are usually delivered within 7-10 working days.
  • DHL Express International - Items are usually delivered within 24 to 48 hours. DHL orders must be received by 3:30pm for next day service to most destinations in Europe
  • Federal Express International Priority - Items are usually delivered within 24 to 48 hours. FedEx orders must be received by 3.00pm for next day service to most destinations in Europe.
  • Federal Express International Economy - Item are usually delivered within 48 to 72 hours.

We reserve the right to change your shipping method without notification if you select a method that we cannot use for your shipment (for instance, we cannot ship via postal services for items over 2 Kg to International destinations). If we need to change your shipping method, we will choose the least expensive shipping method for your order.

 

Worldwide - Excluding UK & Europe

Deliveries outside of the UK are not subject to 20% VAT and so the 20% tax on items is automatically deducted when you log-in, register or proceed to place an order.

If applicable, the customer will be liable for the taxes at the local tax rate, duty on the import and the brokerage service fee. This may need to be paid in advance to your local Customs & Excise office or the delivery company before your order can be delivered.

We offer the following shipping services:

  • Royal Mail First Class International Airmail Services - Items are usually delivered within 7 to 10 working days.
  • Royal Mail Standard International Mail Services - Items are usually delivered within 15 working days.
  • DHL Express International - Items are usually delivered within 24 to 48 hours. DHL orders must be received by 3:30pm for next day service to most destinations in Europe
  • Federal Express International Priority - Items are usually delivered within 48 hours. FedEx orders must be received by 3.00pm in order to ship items the same day, subject to stock availability.

  • Where the actual weight of the package significantly exceeds the shipping cost charged on orders, we may write to you for an additional shipping charge. For larger orders, items may be shipped in multiple packets at our discretion.

We reserve the right to change your shipping method without notification if you select a method that we cannot use for your shipment (for instance, we cannot ship via postal services for items over 2 Kg to International destinations). If we need to change your shipping method, we will choose the least expensive shipping method for your order.

Write Your Own Review

AudioQuest Pearl Digital Optical Cable

We are interested in your opinion of this product. let us and other customers know how you feel by filling in the comment field below. Your review will appear in this section within 3 working days.

Please do:

  • - Write 50-300 words for the product
  • - Comment on the products value and effectiveness
  • - Tell us if you like the product, but most importantly explain why you like or dislike it
  • - Mention related products and how this one rates by comparison
5
23 reviews
5★
22 (96%)
4★
1 (4%)
3★
0 (0%)
2★
0 (0%)
1★
0 (0%)
AI Review Summary — Generated from 23 Reviews

Customers consistently praise this optical cable for delivering improved sound quality with greater clarity and detail compared to cheaper alternatives and bundled cables. The thin, discrete design is noted as practical and aesthetically appealing. Build quality receives strong commendation, with reviewers highlighting solid construction, firm connectors, and reliable performance across various audio setups including TVs, turntables, DACs, and amplifiers. Most users report seamless installation, though two reviewers encountered minor fitting difficulties with plugs and TV slots. Fast delivery and knowledgeable customer service from Future Shop are frequently mentioned as additional positives. No significant recurring negative themes were identified beyond isolated connector fit issues.

Peter ✓ Verified Purchase
This cable very thin but that's it's purpose , 8 January 2026
This cable is worth the money; it performs very well in use. The bass response improved and became more noticeable with extended use.

Very pleased and fast delivery over the Xmas period.
Patrice Berque ✓ Verified Purchase
Very Good product. 4 August 2024
It was a bit difficult to slot into the TV, and the plug was slightly big, but it worked in the end.
Bruce Barnett ✓ Verified Purchase
Excellent toslink/optical cable 20 July 2024
This is an excellent cable and good value for money, compared to dearer options.

A big improvement on the 'free' cables bundled with most optical/toslink equipment.
ygarth ✓ Verified Purchase
Not all optical cables are the same! 7 June 2024
With a new setup, I've been using a 30-year-old optical link.

The piano didn't sound good with it (plunk), and I kind of wondered where the rest of the music was.

However, with this new AudioQuest cable, the sound is full-on, with loads of detail, and the piano sounds great!

Such a great buy.
Grant Waller ✓ Verified Purchase
Does the job perfectly. 21 September 2023
After reading the info on this and other comparable cables, I learnt that this particular one can give up to 145 picoseconds jitter. I then checked the picosecond and confirmed it was a trillionth of a second. The blurb surrounding audiophile-quality optical cable says that all's well if it's better than about 40 millionths of a second.

Well, it's almost a million times better, so that'll do me.

Works great the first time.
Jazzmangeof ✓ Verified Purchase
Excellent optical cable 1 May 2023
Used to connect Analogue To Digital to Cambridge Audio streamer from Project Turntable with excellent results
Eddi ✓ Verified Purchase
Perfect 29 January 2023
Great optical cable and is perfect for connecting my multi-disc player
Paul wade ✓ Verified Purchase
A great product 14 January 2023
I linked my Marantz amp to my LG tv with a 3m cable. Produces an excellent sound.
Simon Hague ✓ Verified Purchase
Execellent quality optical cable 25 November 2022
I use to pipe audio from a TV through a DAC unit (Blustream DAC12AU) to an amp via the RCA connectors. Very pleased and impressed with the results. As with any cable (optical or electrical), the quality of the connectors is a crucial aspect of good cable performance. This optical cable is very well made and attaches and holds to the connection ports firmly, with no play.

It is highly recommended. Also, recommend AudioQuest Pearl HDMI cables too.
Tarik Hussain ✓ Verified Purchase
Fantastic cable 22 August 2022
A quality Digital Optical Cable with incredible sound quality. It is highly recommended.
Mike ✓ Verified Purchase
It pays to buy the best 9 August 2022
My TV is connected to a pair of QAcoustics M20 active speakers via a Toslink cable.

I have tried various "cheap" optical cables (including Amazon basics which came highly recommended) and was very unsatisfied with the sound. Eventually, I bit the bullet and decided to try the Audioquest Pearl and "wow", the speakers came to life.

Gone was the sibilant muddy sound to be replaced with crystal clear speech and tuneful music. The lesson: Cheap is not always the best.
William Sinclair ✓ Verified Purchase
Clearer audio with more detail 3 March 2022
This was a replacement for an unbranded digital optical cable and was definitely value for money. I now have clearer audio with more detail.
Bob K ✓ Verified Purchase
A superb little cable that delivers the goods! 18 February 2022
I am so glad I contacted Future Shop in the hope that I would be able to get advice on a problem I was having with my hi-fi set-up.

My sincerest gratitude to Adam Senior for recommending the AudioQuest Pearl optical cable and a Blustream DAC12AU to go with it: both have proved their worth in every sense of the word. I'd never heard of Future Shop until a friend recommended them, but if I ever have any cabling/connection issues in future, I'll certainly know where to come - the best of advice and service in one neat package. Truly delighted!
Julien Passelac ✓ Verified Purchase
Good and light cable 25 April 2021
I needed a longer cable due to changing my setup. This one is very light in comparison which I prefer. Good cable for the price.
First time using Futureshop, order processed and delivered very quickly
Aym ✓ Verified Purchase
Great cable, thin and discrete 16 March 2021
Good cable, solid quality. Thin and discrete. Futureshop has been great, super fast delivery
Kwh ✓ Verified Purchase
Good quality cable. 9 January 2021
Well made cable, improved TV sound through the soundbar. Would recommend.
thelegendnedk ✓ Verified Purchase
AudioQuest Complete 27 November 2020
AudioQuest products are excellent quality throughout their range / price levels They out-perform many expensive high end cables this optical cable is no exception.

Tom r ✓ Verified Purchase
Solved a problem 19 November 2020
I own a bluesound powernode 2i which has two optical / analogue inputs.

Using analogue from TV to powernode caused terrible lip sync issues, and bluesound support are not interested in dealing with artificial delay (prioritising multi device grouping over AV).

I bought a optical cable to see if that would improve things from TV to powernode. Low and behold it has!

Delay is now negligible, considering cost of all other equipment, this cable is worth it to solve the problem.

Ian ✓ Verified Purchase
Bought on line and no issues - remember to remove the protec 13 May 2020
No issues
Carlosfandango ✓ Verified Purchase
Audioquest digital cable 12 July 2019
Was recommended by Future Shop and very happy
Henri ✓ Verified Purchase
Good cable 21 January 2019
Works fine with my Yamaha WXC-50 streamer (hi-fi use).
William Graham ✓ Verified Purchase
Excellent advice 25 October 2018
Excellent advice. I bought this great optical cable due to the excellent advice from Future Shop Tech man. He was fantastic to say the least and guided me through the option for my AVR.
Károly ✓ Verified Purchase
My first optical cable 20 December 2017
This is my first optical cable.

It works perfectly. I use it to connect the TV to my Chord Mojo, and it sounds great!

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Write Your Own Review

AudioQuest Pearl Digital Optical Cable

We are interested in your opinion of this product. let us and other customers know how you feel by filling in the comment field below. Your review will appear in this section within 3 working days.

Please do:

  • - Write 50-300 words for the product
  • - Comment on the products value and effectiveness
  • - Tell us if you like the product, but most importantly explain why you like or dislike it
  • - Mention related products and how this one rates by comparison

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