Will an optical cable switcher degrade sound quality?

Question

I only have one optical digital (toslink) input in the back of my receiver, so I was thinking of getting a switcher that uses mini plugs, will this degrade the sound quality? Below is the link to the item.

http://cgi.ebay.com/DIGITAL-AUDIO-CABLE-OPTICAL-TOSLINK-SELECTOR-SWITCHER_W0QQitemZ330200047937QQihZ014QQcategoryZ294QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Answer 1

Optical is a digital connection mechanism, so it will either work or it won't.

That said, the poorer the components and the smaller the connection (e.g. miniplugs) the greater the chance for loss or blockage of the light.

For the price it's a good deal ... and it may work just fine ..., but personally I'd get a version without the miniplugs (I don't see any advantage). Amazon has them (see link), and a more direct optical path. More expensive though. The 2nd link is to a forum thread saying it works fine.

If you want a more flexible switch see the component video/optical audio switch ... with remote control from TigerDirect ($47) -- 3rd link.

Answer 2

Hi. Every component and cable in a home theater system degrade the sound in varying degrees.The recorded information is retrieved from the software,converted to an electrical signal and sent to the electronics.The electronics produce a larger copy of the signal and send it to the speakers.Information is passed down a chain,from one component to the next and only in this direction. The most important fundamental is that nothing in the chain can improve upon what is sent to it.And,like a chain,all the "links"are equally important.Any additional component such as the switcher you are thinking of buying will add to the overall degradation of the signal.The very best equipment degrades the signal only a little bit.

Answer 3

No the optical cable will

not degrade the sound quality a bit.

You will be fine.