Whats the deal with Coaxil cables and Digital signals?

[iHateRegisteringAtSites]

I have J-Station with S/PDIF output and a Roland UA 30 with Coaxil inputs and outputs. I have the out my j station to the in of my Roland with one regular RCA cable, does this sound as good if i used a Coaxil cable that i see sometimes at radio shack? I still get the signal but im wondering if im lossing anything because im using a regular RCA cable.

 

[drstawl]

If it works then you're not losing anything. I've heard arcane arguments to the contrary but it seems to me that a digital signal would either work 100% or crash because the errors would confuse the receiving end. Maybe the error correction employed is robust enough to allow dropped bits without dropping the signal. In that case ignore what I've said. I'm all wet. The specification for S/PDIF calls for a video capable cable with RCA ends in the coaxial style. I've tried cheaper alternatives and gotten some dropping of the signal so now I only use S/PDIF rated cables. They work all the time. And they're not pricey at all. Got one at Target in the video department for ~$5.

 

[Tom Cram]

It's all about the Ohms. S/pdif cable is 75 Ohm, AES/EBU is 110.

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530

 

[Eebaf]

Using digital, I assume you want quality so why risk to loose it using wrong cables. As Tom said, use 75 Ohm cables.