Toslink

I have a Audioengine B1 bluetooth receiver with digital output that is Toslink only. 

I use the Toslink output to send a digital signal to the DAC in my Marantz SACD-30n. 

(Perhaps this is not super hi-end, but it is easy and simple, and it does a good job of streaming from my iPad.)

I have two Toslink cables, and I am completely satisfied with neither one.  These two cables are Analysis Plus and a fairly cheap Warrky Toslink cable.

The Analysis Plus Toslink cable is very good in terms of detail, air, and depth, but rather cold and analytical.  I find myself turning the volume down often when listening to it because it seems to emphasize treble edges a little too much. 

The Warrky Toslink does lose a tiny bit of detail, but musical notes sound denser, fuller, and more organic.  I actually prefer it more often with my ML CLS electrostatic speakers.   

I have read that glass Toslink, in general, allows more detail than plastic fiber.  (Both of these cables are made of plastic not glass.)  I am reluctant to move to glass if it would be even more detailed and analytical than the Analysis Plus cable.  I don’t think I want anything that would be more analytical than the Analysis Plus. 

I am looking for a Toslink cable that will give the detail and air of the Analysis Plus without the cold treble emphasis, or a cable that will allow the organic quality of the cheap Warrky but with more detail and air.

Any ideas or recommendations are welcome.

I wouldn’t use TOSLINK for anything except maybe TV, and even that would be if I didn’t have another choice. 

If I remember correctly, Rob Watts (who designed many of the recent Chord DACs) likes optical/Toslink more than many of the other connection types. Most other designers in the hifi space seem to rank it last in terms of sound quality. So who knows. 

@soix 

For digital out from the Audioengine B1, it is Toslink only.  Period.

I don’t have a choice.

Plastic Toslink cables are for the masses and will (most likely) degrade the sound. GLASS Toslink cables can sound very close to a wired S/PDIF digital connection.