Analog vs. Digital for Audiophiles
by Skip Pulley
As our world becomes more digitized, so
are the devices we use on a daily basis. We have come to the point of
where cutting edge technology meets practical application. Hi
fidelity, though far superior in the opinion of collectors and
purists, is no longer considered hi-tech. Analog audio signals are
being replaced by digital signals with the use of digital cables.
First, let us examine the basic
differences between analog and digital. Analog sound is what has been
traditionally produced by phonograph records and cassette tapes. They
produce sound as a series of vibrations, just like the human voice.
They travel through cables designed to carry an analog signal, such
as composite cables (red, white, yellow). When the compact disc was
introduced, the sound that it produced was digital; derived from an
electronic system of 1's and 0's called binary language. The need for
advanced cables to carry this new sound was met by the introduction
of cables using coaxial and optical digital technology. Although
there is more advanced cabling available, these are the two most
popular digital cables for consumer audio use.
Coaxial digital technology is typically
found in new home stereo systems and home theater systems. Digital
coax cable does not resemble standard video coaxial cables that we
use to connect cable or satellite television, but instead more
closely resemble an RCA cable such as component (red, green and blue)
or composite (red, white, yellow). The main difference is that there
is only one connection as opposed to two or three. However, a digital
coax cable is thicker and shielded to protect the signal from outside
interference, just like standard coaxial. The reason they are popular
with home theater is that they can handle a great deal of power (up
to 75 ohm), which is usually generated by multiple devices used
simultaneously. They are also less expensive than optical cables. The
most obvious reason is that digital coax transmits pulses of
electricity to generate digital sound, while optical cables transmit
pulses of light.
Optical cables are the most advanced
way to carry a digital signal among digital components. They use a
connector referred to as EIA-J. This connection is similar to the
fiber optic cable connections used in data transfer between servers
and telecommunications. Because they transmit light instead of
electronic pulses, there is no danger of interference with the
signal, which also does not diminish due to distance or environmental
conditions. Because the optical cable is relatively unprotected it is
also very fragile. The inside is made essentially of glass and can be
easily damaged when bent. Please use the manufacturer’s guidelines
when installing cables and devices. ~ SP
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