Optical (TOSLINK) vs. Digital Coaxial Audio
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Visualizing: Optical (TOSLINK) vs. Digital Coaxial Audio
Before HDMI, we had two ways to send digital audio: TOSLINK (Optical) and Digital Coaxial.
The Optical Edge
TOSLINK uses light. Because there is no electrical connection, it is impossible to have a ground loop (that annoying hum). This makes it perfect for connecting a PC to a high-end DAC.
The Coaxial Edge
Digital Coaxial uses a RCA-style copper cable. It has higher bandwidth than standard TOSLINK, making it theoretically better for high-sample rate audio, though it is prone to EMI.
Technical References
- IEC 60958: Digital Audio Interface Standard.
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