[onlyafterdark]

Hey guys, I have a slightly dumb question for you. I want to hook up my Logitech Z-680 speakers to my new iMac (when it comes in) but I dont know what kind of optical cable to get.

I went to Future Shop today and bought a Toslink optical cable but on my way out I noticed that the plugin on the iMac is different than what is on the end of the cable (the iMac is a round interface and the cable is square-ish).

So do I need a special type of optical cable or am I just having a brain fart compounded by stupid Future Shop employees?

[Ryan]

You probably need a coaxial cable. Is it like an RCA connector (the red-yellow-white one)? It isn't optical, but there isn't any degradation in quality, it's still digital. It's just a variation of S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface, IIRC).

[Ebby]

There is an optical cable that likes a miniplug. However, no optical cables have RCA connectors.

What you want is probably HERE.

[onlyafterdark]

I thought that a digital coaxial cable is different from a digital optical cable.

[Ebby]

They are. You said you wanted an optical cable. A digital coax has RCA connectors and a copper core while S/PDIF uses fiber optics and two different ends: 3.5mm (headphone) or TOSLINK (Squareish) connectors. Look at an angle inside your sound-out port. If it is glowing red, you need the fiber kind. Otherwise, you need a headphone to RCA adapter.

[Ryan]

From Crutchfield Advisor:

A special subset of audio interconnects is digital audio cables. There are two types: optical and coaxial. Optical cables transmit digital audio signals as pulses of light. Toslink connectors — the connector type found on most optical cables — are often found on CD and DVD players, as well as home theater receivers. Some portable players (such as most MiniDisc and some CD portables) are equipped with mini-optical jacks. To connect a standard-sized component to a portable's mini-optical input (for recording to MiniDisc, for example), you'll need a special Toslink-to-mini-optical cable. To connect a CD portable's mini-optical output to an MD portable's mini-optical input, you'll need an optical cable with mini connectors on both ends. Because they use pulses of light rather than electrical impulses to transmit audio signals, optical cables are virtually impervious to interference. It's still important to look for a well-made cable, however: a quality fiber-optic element can prevent jitter, while solidly built connectors add durability. Coaxial digital cables look on the surface like standard analog RCA cables; however, you should avoid using a standard audio interconnect to transfer a coaxial digital signal. Cables engineered specifically to pass a digital signal provide 75-ohm impedance and wider frequency bandwidth, ensuring superior signal transfer.

[onlyafterdark]

Hmmm, this is turning out to be a little more work than I anticipated. Thanks for the help so far guys.

[onlyafterdark]

Originally Posted by CubeDude From Crutchfield Advisor:

I thought as much, I was just confused as to the different types of optical cables.

Thanks for the info though CubeDude.

[Ebby]

That's where Crutchfield and I disagree. IMO, a digital signal is just a digital signal. I don't see where a "wider frequency bandwidth" for a predetermined digital signal would enhance the audio experience. Now, for analog devices, that is beneficial. But I currently use the cheapest thing off the shelf (optical and coaxal) and nothing has ever stuttered, crackled, or distorted at all. I'm happy.

With the iMac G5 specs. one of THESE or something like it is what you probably need to hook your G5 up to an amp using your existing cable. (I choose the right angle adapter to relive strain from the connection)

[frizz]

Belkin PureAV Digital Optical Audio Cable with Mini-Toslink Adapter
You can find this at the Apple store Online

Try this

[Ebby]

(That kind of link doesn't work)

[onlyafterdark]

That makes sense, thanks guys. Now I just have to go out and buy one.

[onlyafterdark]

New question guys. I have been looking on the internet for a mini-TosLink Cable / adapter with very little luck (Im a Canuck so American websites are out).

However, I did remember that Apple has a stereo connection kit for the Airport Express and it has a Monster mini-to-optical digital Toslink audio cable. Would this be the right kind of cable or is it an analog to optical cable?

Thanks.

[Ebby]

An analog to optical converter is kinda expensive so I think it is just a optical cable. It should work with whatever optical device you are connecting to your mac.

[onlyafterdark]

Thanks a lot Ebby. When I need audiophile help Ill come to you.

[gjas15]

I currently have an APEX connected to my stereo using a Toslink cable with an adapter on one end for the mini optical connector on the APEX. Most Toslink cables I've found include these adapters (They're under the cable in the box). When looking at the package they usually list what devices can be used, if a mini-disk player is listed it probably has the adapters in the package.

Ebby:
Yes, thats true. A digital cable is a digital cable, error checking is embedded in the signal. So, if the signal coming into the stereo has any errors it wont play.