aq_cable_theory 19 | Biblioteca audio audioquest

Please don't be confused ... this is where we switch (for a while) to using the CinemaQuest name.

plications. These 75 cables are used with either RCA or BNC connectors

between coax and AES/EBU, odds are in favor of AES/EBU, but not always, it depends on your trans-

market. AES/EBU uses a balanced 110 cable fitted with XLR plugs.

S/PDIF or "digital coax" cables look like normal cables. However, for

superior performance, they must be specially designed for wideband ap-

"glass". However, neither term actually defines the system. ST is just one

of many fiber optic standards set by AT&T, and many companies besides

that each of the three "signals" has its own identical low distortion conductor. A super

Toslink or EIA-J, is the most common fiber optic system. Toslink cable

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AudioQuest Falcon (AES/EBU) also uses Hard Cell Foam insulated solid SP-LGC

"ST" is the highest quality fiber optic system used in audio. As the speci-

usually contains a synthetic (plastic) light conducting fiber, though the

four different types of cable are each connected to a different type of transmitting and receiving circuit.

CinemaQuest from AudioQuest

There are four standard ways that a digital signal is carried from one piece of equipment to another. The

CABLE THEORY

system yields the highest performance with your equipment.

CinemaQuest (CQ) the brand, from AudioQuest (AQ) the designer and manufacturer. CinemaQuest

Digital Cables-Wire and Optical

fications for this system were set by AT&T, it is most often called AT&T or

AES/EBU is a balanced wire system. This professional standard has been

the case of the XLR plugs. Exceptional AQ#40/41 direct-silver plated FPC XLR plugs

low distortion non-braided silver plated shield is connected to chassis ground through

AT&T make parts that conform to the "ST" standards. ST systems operate at

around for many years, but has only recently been adopted by the home

port and your digital processor. Between ST and a wire system, it also depends on the specific equip-

best Toslink cables use quartz fiber (glass).

seven to fourteen times the frequency bandwidth of the Toslink system.

conductors. Falcon is a dedicated 110 triple balanced design. Triple balanced means

depending upon the equipment.

ment-and it always depends on the cable. Comparing a high quality coax against a normal Toslink, or

If you have the choice of using Toslink or ST, you will obtain higher performance with ST. In a choice

help maximize performance.

systems using AudioQuest digital cables with similar prices, you will get a fair reading as to which

a quality Toslink against a poor AES/EBU isn't going to tell you which system is better. If you compare