2. cables
  3. 1369231745

Digital vs Interconnect Cables - Difference?

Can someone explain the difference between digital and interconnect cables? Are they inter-changable? Is digital for connecting CD/SACD transport and DAC?

How about the cables between CD player and pre-amp - Interconnect or digital cables? And between pre-amp and power-amp? Are the same type of interconnect cables?

Also, how many types of interconnect cables are availabe in the market? Digitals - with various connection options?

Thanks.
r0817

Showing 2 responses by mofimadness

mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,933 posts
 
You can use any analog (RCA or XLR) cable in the place of any digital (RCA or XLR) cable and vice versa.

Digital cables are usually just one cable, so you would need two of them for an analog connection.

XLR connectors would need to be the correct pinout, (most are the same).

I have done this many times. It might not be the correct/proper impedance match, but it sure won't hurt anything.
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,933 posts
 
After Al's eloquent posting above, I wanted to clarify my comment.

Can you use an analog cable for a digital cable and a digital cable for an analog cable? Yes, you can, (assuming the connectors are the same). Should you, no probably not, but in a pinch, no harm will be done...other than perhaps a sonic degradation of the signal.

You should always use the proper cable for the application.
More to discover