TOSLINK Switch

[leonski]

I just sent off for a 4 'in' and 1 'out' Toslink switch with remote.

I'll put everthing thru the DAC in my preamp.     

The Cambridge Audio DAC Magic+ is junk.   As soon as I get a #1 or #0 Philips Screwdriver of 8" or longer, I'll pull the top

cover and have a look.  I can just barely detect that Burned Electron aroma.    I think something fried.    POS.

But the switch?     You can buy VERY inexpensive no-name on Amazon or Epray, but I went MONOPRICE for a few $$ more.

I'll post more after I get the switch plugged in.   The advantage is NO CHANCE of any ground interaction.    I'll even unplug my

Balanced cables and store them.    I think a few other abbreviations in wiring may be in order.....but I need to draw this out and

make sense of it.

For those with many OPTICAL sources? (include Apple Computer) A switch makes good sense and you than do NOT need a DAC

with multiple inputs.    Even the SMSL M500 is over 400$....And fairly well regarded, at that.

[leonski]

Installed. And working fine.

Cheesey remote, but that's not the issue.

Waiting for anothre cable so I can connect computer for MUSIC

NO Latency issues so sound remains perfectly in-sync.

[mgbpuff]

Toslink is considered undesirable in audiophile circles due to jitter.

[leonski]

I'll tra try to ka keep that in mind...

[RichGuy]

Many years ago when my systems first started offering the choice of Toslink I made it my first choice when the option was offered. But sometime after when I really started listening to differences and comparing cables I noticed I always preferred the sound of coax over Toslink. Now I always use coax and never Toslink and given the choice I will always choose balanced XLR cables when I can, this is based on listening and making my own comparisons.

[SteveH]

Damn, you got a remote too??  You have a deluxe model.  I used to have to get up off the couch and manual switch it 😆

[leonski]

Aug 1, 2021 8:47:46 GMT -5 RichGuy said:

Many years ago when my systems first started offering the choice of Toslink I made it my first choice when the option was offered. But sometime after when I really started listening to differences and comparing cables I noticed I always preferred the sound of coax over Toslink. Now I always use coax and never Toslink and given the choice I will always choose balanced XLR cables when I can, this is based on listening and making my own comparisons.

I had a choice of another 400$ to 500$ or perhaps MORE for a new DAC.    I won't let CA get into me for another NICKEL. 

OR?   I could leverage existing gear of which the only 'common' is optical and get a switch for 10% or less the cost of a new DAC.

So?   MONOPRICE got the bid.    I even hooked up my computer which has a combination headphone/optical output....     

And in the spirit of NOT letting 'perfect' be the 'enemy of good', I just said screw it.     Some cable company sells 500$ TOSLINK cables and can't 

even tell me if they are PLASTIC or GLASS fiber!    

I used balanced.....Mogami Studio Gold, from DAC to PRE to good effect.     Terrific cables.