Chord Digital & Optical cables

 

Chord Signature AESEBU interconnect  Chord Indigo Plus Digital interconnect  Chord Signature Digital interconnect  Chord Prodac Digital interconnect (jack)  Chord Prodac Digital interconnect Chord Codac Digital interconnect  Chord Optichord optical interconnect Chord Optichord optical interconnect (jack)

Many hi-fi systems now include a stand-alone digital to analogue converter (DAC). The DAC accepts digital signals from computers, streaming devices, even televisions and of course, dedicated CD transports.

The two most commonly used digital connection methods are coaxial, often via RCA sockets (and sometimes BNC) and optical, via a toslink or minijack-style connector. A coaxial signal is transmitted electrically whilst an optical signal is transmitted via light along a fibre optic cable. If you have the option of using either a coaxial or optical connection to join a component to a DAC, it is worth experimenting. The two methods can produce widely differing results. Despite the fact that these cables carry digital data, the different cables can affect the tonal, rhythmic and dynamic properties of a system every bit as much as analogue interconnects and speaker cable can.

The other connection sometimes found on high end equipment is called AES EBU. In this case the connection is made via a 3 pin XLR connector and like the other connections, if the AES EBU is available, it should be compared to the other methods of connection