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Are there differing qualities of optical cable?

I currently have my Gungnir Multibit DAC connected by optical cable to my Oppo player which I use as a transport. I also have a Cardas coax cable connected to a different input.  The optical sounds better. My question is, are there different qualities of optical cable you can use, or is one the same as the other?
128x128rvpiano

Showing 2 responses by georgehifi

georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Whatever type of optical you use, try a drop of the "indexing gel" with it as it couples the optical fibre end to the internal receiver minimising any refection, thus reducing jitter.

https://www.newport.com/f/index-matching-fluid

Cheers George 
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
rvpiano
My question is, are there different qualities of optical cable you can use, or is one the same as the other?
Yes the polished optical glass cable is the best (can’t bend it too much), Wadia had these as an ST type connection with an AT&T reciever (not Toslink), with a small smear of what called "optical indexing fluid" on the ends and then plugged in. The fluid was very expensive and optically clear, it gave a far better coupling between the end of the glass fibre and the receiver lens. Would work with Toslink as well I would think.
https://www.newport.com/f/index-matching-fluid

https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_odkw=ST+optical&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.XST+optical+cable.TRS0&_nkw=ST+optical+cable&_sacat=0

Cheers George
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