Have your say & ask the experts!

Best optical cable from Airport Express?

5 replies [Last post]
ewanbcn
ewanbcn's picture
Offline
Joined: 1 Sep 2007
Posts: 36

I currently have my Mac wirelessly streaming my loseless music files, via AE, to my Sony DA1200ES AV amp.

Firstly I was using a normal 3.5mm plug to RCA plugged into the cd inputs on the amp and sound using analogue direct mode was ok.

After reading this thread I decided to try and use the optical input on the receiver, therefor utilising its internal DAC, and connected into the tv/sat connection.(the choice is video,tv/sat or md/tape)

Unfortunately over here in barcelona cables are quite difficult to come by so I´m using the monster cable which seems to be quite loose at the AE end, this causes loss of sound all the time and is completely unlistenable.

Wondered what the best cable would be, any other comments welcome

Tarquinh
Tarquinh's picture
Offline
Joined: 30 Dec 2008
Posts: 2021
Re: Best optical cable from Airport Express?

There's not much difference in optical cables - I use a cheap one purchased at FNAC.

ewanbcn
ewanbcn's picture
Offline
Joined: 1 Sep 2007
Posts: 36
Re: Best optical cable from Airport Express?

Iïm sure this is the problem so will buy new one and try.

Itïll have to do until I get my DacMag and my new BR2s - cant wait

Come on folks - so many of you have AE hooked up to DAC using optical cable - which is the best/most popular??

Tarquinh
Tarquinh's picture
Offline
Joined: 30 Dec 2008
Posts: 2021
Re: Best optical cable from Airport Express?

I'd seriously recommend a cheap one. There's really no difference between optical cables, and, if you think about how they work, you'll see why. So just go to your FNAC equivalent and buy one there.

AKL
AKL's picture
Offline
Joined: 10 Jan 2009
Posts: 256
Re: Best optical cable from Airport Express?

I use Chord Optichord to connect my AE to DacMagic.  I did try a couple of freebie optical cables (which came packaged with some of my AV equipment), but decided to buy the Optichord to try.  In a blind test, to my ears, the Optichord is better - the sound is more "open/spacious" and "tighter" if that makes any sense to you.  It is not a big difference but it is better.  Hope this helps.

ewanbcn
ewanbcn's picture
Offline
Joined: 1 Sep 2007
Posts: 36
Re: Best optical cable from Airport Express?

Good to know thanks.

I think Iïll go for one similar as the monster just doesnït connect properly.