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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£12.50Ex. VATThe iFi On-The-Go (OTG) cable comes as USB Type C Male to Type A Female. it is ideal for Android phones to extract the digital signal to feed a DAC. The iFi OTG cable is constructed from pure OFHC continuous cast copper. The USB-C is USB3.0 standard.
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From£157.50Ex. VAT
AudioQuest USB Type-C cables featuring conductor materials and construction techniques that have allowed AQ’s other USB cables to achieve “Best-In-Class” recognition worldwide.
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From£157.50Ex. VAT
AudioQuest USB Type-C cables featuring conductor materials and construction techniques that have allowed AQ’s other USB cables to achieve “Best-In-Class” recognition worldwide.
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From£940.83Ex. 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. -
Atlas Cables
Atlas Ascent Ultra 75 Ohm S/PDIF Digital Audio CableSKU: Atlas Ascent S/PDIF
(10 reviews)From£203.75Ex. VATThe Atlas Ascent Ultra 75 Ohm SP-DIF digital cable is a superb cable which gives a considerable insight into the state-of-the-art performance of Atlas' ‘high-end’ Mavros interconnect at a very reasonable price. Ascent was designed to be technically and sonically superior to competing digital cables currently available at similar prices. -
From£259.00Inc. VATAudioQuest Vodka Digital Optical cable is constructed with Narrow-Aperture Synthetic Fibers and precision polished fiber ends all contained within a black/blue woven weave jacket.
Please note: this cable comes with a 3.5mm mini Toslink adaptor attached to one end. Please remove this to use a standard Toslink connection at both ends.
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SALEFrom£48.33 £53.75Ex. VAT ✓ Save £5.42The Chord C-lite optical cable is an original Chord Company design. The C-lite is available in a variety of lengths, fitted with both Toslink and mini-jack optical plugs. -
From£254.12Ex. VATA reference-quality optical digital cable, which utilizes 338 Borosilicate glass fiber optic conductors. The new termination technique provides improved clarity and dynamics that will thrill the most sophisticated listeners. -
From£124.17Ex. VATThe iPurifier3 delivers a comprehensive USB signal quality solution. From common electrical, protocol, data to EMI/RFI issues, the iPurifier3 solves them all, in one, thumb-sized design.
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From£37.46Ex. 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. -
SALEWireworld
Wireworld Chroma Cat 8 Ethernet Cable - Special Offer - Black November DealSKU: Chroma Ethernet
(9 reviews)From£70.79 £83.29Ex. VAT ✓ Save £12.50Chroma features the same speed and design of the groundbreaking Starlight ethernet cable, but with solid oxygen-free copper conductors. -
SALEFrom£123.75 £137.50Ex. VAT ✓ Save £13.75The new Clearway Streaming Cable by Chord Company represents a step up in performance from the entry-level C-series, featuring four pairs of high-speed conductors that have been individually shielded from each other, as well as a shield for all four pairs which helps to minimise the effect of external noise on this cable. This product also features gold-plated terminations to combat oxidisation, ensuring a long lifespan for this cable.
