SPDIF Cable OD 4,5,or 6mm

Skill Magill

I want to buy some optical cable that will connect my computer to my amp.
I see that they come in different OD (outside diameters?). Whats normal?
There's no documentation on the input port of the amp. I was going to order
5mm OD on the basis of 4 being loose and 6 being tight!!

WillyFXP

eoing1 wrote: »

I want to buy some optical cable that will connect my computer to my amp.
I see that they come in different OD (outside diameters?). Whats normal?
There's no documentation on the input port of the amp. I was going to order
5mm OD on the basis of 4 being loose and 6 being tight!!

Are you buying raw cable and terminating them yourself? Seems totally OTT when you can just get any optical cable for a fraction of the cost of making your own.
If your talking about off the shelf optical/toslink cables then the OD makes no difference, the terminal plugs are the same.

Skill Magill

Ah no, wasn't making them just wondering about the od values. You can see the different types here

WillyFXP

get the cheapest you can at the length you require, the core in optical cables are the same, there is no EM interference issues with optical cable as the signal is light, no electrical signal, so the sheath material/thickness makes no difference, apart from protecting the cable from physical damage.

Skill Magill

Cheers, I actually thought the od reference was for the jack on the end of the cable, and not the actual cable itself. So the thicker it is, the better, if people walk on it, its for physical protection of the inner cable , and has nothing to do with the transmission of the signal.
Perfect sense, thanks

coylemj

They're about €15 in Harvey Norman.

Skill Magill

coylemj wrote: »

They're about €15 in Harvey Norman.

€4 for the cable and an €11 tax for not being able to use the internet?