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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★ AwardFrom£33.33Ex. VATHigh Performance, High Speed, type A-A. A flexible cable with dual screens for the best RF pick-up protection. One twisted pair for data and one twisted pair for power, individual screens for minimal interference.
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From£62.46Ex. VATOver the past several years there’s been a revolution in the way people store, distribute, and access digital media (in real time), including photos, movies, and, of course, music.
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AudioQuest
AudioQuest Forest USB 3.0 Type A to Micro B Data CableSKU: AQ Forest USB 3.0 A-Micro B
(6 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. -
AudioQuest
AudioQuest Cinnamon USB 3.0 Type A to Type Micro B Data CableSKU: AQ Cinnamon USB3.0 A-Micro B
(6 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. -
SALEAudioQuest
AudioQuest Pearl Mini Toslink Digital Optical Cable - Black November DealSKU: AQ Pearl Mini Optical
(6 reviews)From£34.95Inc. VATAudioQuest Pearl Digital Optical cable is constructed with low-dispersion fibers and precision polished fiber ends all contined within a black/gray stripe in-wall rated PVC jacket. -
SALEFrom£225.00 £250.00Ex. VAT ✓ Save £25.00Chord's Shawline Digital USB conductors are built from silver-plated oxygen free copper. Insulation is PTFE, the cable geometry is optimised for USB audio. -
Van Den Hul
Van Den Hul The Digi-Coupler (Halogen Free) Digital CableSKU: Van Den Hul The Digi-Coupler
(6 reviews)From£72.49Ex. VATThe Digi-Coupler 75 Ohm’s special design covers all aspects required for a flawless and reliable transmission of SPDIF digital audio at short range as well as across large studio distances. -
From£83.29Ex. VATAudioQuest 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£87.46Ex. VATUtilizing Wireworld's new Uni-Path design, the Starlight 8 USB provides higher fidelity than round USB cables selling for much more. With silver-clad copper conductors, Starlight's sound is rich and three-dimensional. Exceeds official USB high-speed specifications. These flat cables utilize Wireworld’s exclusive Uni-Path conductor geometry, Composilex 3 insulation and noise-absorbing power conductors to improve the fidelity of music and video. The designs were developed through listening tests that compared prototype cables to virtually loss-free direct connections between components.
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From£40.80Inc. VATZAC stands for Zero Attenuation Concept. The innovative furbished curving of the optical fibre core tip to get a zero divergence loss enables plastic fibre optics to be used at all, and to achieve the same transmission quality as of a glass fibre core in combination with the strength and flexibility of the plastic core.
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£83.33Ex. VATThe Yellow Standard Jitter aims to enhance your listening experience by offering an expansive sound stage. Designed to deliver a richer, more integrated sound, it encourages a seamless blend of instruments and vocals, enriching the music's depth and detail. This approach seeks to reveal the subtle nuances in your music, creating a captivating and immersive auditory experience that highlights the harmony and balance within your favourite tracks
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SALEQED
QED Reference Ethernet Cable - Black November DealSKU: QED Reference Ethernet Cable
(6 reviews)From£142.95 £159.00Inc. VAT ✓ Save £16.05QED introduces its new Reference Ethernet cable, providing the most accurate and stable connection between your high-resolution digital audio streamer and local network. It has the ability to support 40G Ethernet and can accomodate 32bit/384 kHz hi-res PCM streams.
