Digital
USB, ethernet, optical, coaxial and AES/EBU cables for streaming and digital audio. The connections between computers, servers, streamers and DACs.
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Digital cable, and why it is not only data
A digital cable either delivers the data or it does not, but that is only half the story. Timing errors and electrical noise travel along the cable alongside the signal and arrive at the DAC, where both affect what comes out of the analogue stage. This is why digital cables can sound different from one another despite carrying identical data.
Choose by connection first. USB is the most common link from a computer or streamer to a DAC. Ethernet carries network audio and is the fastest growing area in digital hi-fi. Optical isolates two components electrically, which helps where noise is a problem, but has bandwidth limits at high sample rates. Coaxial S/PDIF generally handles higher rates and keeps a direct electrical connection. AES/EBU on XLR is the professional standard and appears on higher end transports and DACs.
Impedance is not optional on coaxial and AES/EBU, at 75 ohm and 110 ohm respectively, so a standard interconnect is not a substitute even though the plugs fit. Tell us the source, the DAC and the sample rates involved and we will tell you which connection to use.
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SALEFrom£199.17Ex. VATAudioQuest's Carbon Digital Coax cables are designed to minimize distortion across an extremely wide bandwidth. For many applications, the speed of digital communication is important. -
From£45.42Ex. VATThe new generation of Atlas' acclaimed Element, with a solid core copper conductor, designed to provide maximum performance from computer audio sources. Typically used to connect a Mac, PC or streamer to the DAC or digital input in your hifi system.
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Atlas Cables
Atlas Element Toslink Digital Optical Audio CableSKU: Atlas Element Optical
(14 reviews)From£43.33 £46.67Ex. VAT ✓ Save £3.33A digital interconnect with a neutral, relaxing sound, proven to be an excellent performance upgrade over ‘freebie’ cables, designed for use with the optical digital sockets typically fitted to CD players/transports and streaming audio devices. Typical usage is to connect, for example, a streaming device such as an Apple Airport Express or Sonos ‘Connect’ to your hifi system. -
From£95.00Ex. VATExcalibur is Supra Cables' flagship USB audio cable, featuring OFC conductors with a 3.8% silver plating for optimal transmission of high frequencies and high speed data transfer. This cable also features separate and carefully designed conductors for data and power, meaning that both pairs are optimised for performance and to reduce crosstalk and RFI. -
SALE£255.00 £283.33Ex. VAT ✓ Save £28.33The English Electric EE1 network noise isolator is designed to sit discreetly between ethernet cables within a streaming audio/video system and can drastically reduce noise whilst allowing digital signals to pass unhindered.
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AudioQuest
AudioQuest Forest USB Type A to USB Type B Data CableSKU: AQ Forest USB A-B
(13 reviews)From£62.46Ex. VATFor many applications, the speed of digital communication is important. Most visibly, "speed" is about transferring large files as quickly as possible, or carrying enough data for an HD video. -
Van Den Hul
Van Den Hul Optocoupler MKII Toslink Optical CableSKU: Van Den Hul Optocoupler
(13 reviews)From£60.42Ex. VATThe Optocoupler MK II is a high performance digital optical audio cable capable of delivering sound with superb clarity and depth. Van den Hul's OPTOCOUPLER Mk II forms a perfect high bandwidth, low-loss and low jitter optical connection, able to serve you with a very high sound and/or picture resolution at an unsurpassed definition. -
£49.17Ex. VATThe new 'Full-Metal-Jacket' upgrade to the already excellent Jitterbug helps to further reduce RF noise generated from your USB connected device, such as computers, laptops, mobile devices and even cars! The two obvious changes are the outer metal case and the new hinged cover on the female USB A side of the Jitterbug. This new cover is made from a unique material based on carbon which has incredible RF-absorbing properties. This means that if you use the Jitterbug as a standalone connection in your equipment, the improvements for reducing RF Noise are even greater!
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£74.17Ex. VATIf you're looking for a reliable way to stream high-quality audio from your network, the iFi Audio LAN iSilencer is an excellent choice. It features several advanced features to ensure a clean, interference-free signal, such as a shielded case with integral ground wire, a transient voltage suppressor, and advanced filtration that prevents noise from interfering with the digital signal.
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★ AwardFrom£37.50Ex. VATThe Formula 2 is a beautifully engineered and built USB 2.0 cable for enthusiasts with growing music collections on their computer hard drives looking for high-performance sound.
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From£74.96Ex. VATAudioQuest's Cinnamon Digital Coax cables are designed to minimize distortion across an extremely wide bandwidth. For many applications, the speed of digital communication is important. -
AudioQuest
AudioQuest Cinnamon USB Type A to Type Micro B Data CableSKU: AQ Cinnamon USB A-Micro B
(11 reviews)From£83.29Ex. VATFor many applications, the speed of digital communication is important. Most visibly, "speed" is about transferring large files as quickly as possible, or carrying enough data for an HD video.
