Digital Optical Cables - how important is brand?

Hi LKdog...I've certainly seen mentions of Cousin Dupree on AA before. People seem to recommend him as a good source for cheap DIY cables. The Bolder cable I have is Belden 1695a based, but uses Eichman RCA's, not Canare (though they have, and do offer Canare too). I don't think you can go wrong for $15. That may be an even better deal than the Apogee.

I would try the glass toslink and the DIY coax and see what you think. Most posts I've read say that people prefer coax over optical (probably plastic optical), but there are exceptions. Let them burn in and then compare them. I'm sure you're going to notice some difference and prefer one over the other. It's interesting how different digital cables can sound from each other. The whole "bits is bits" argument goes right out the window.

Do an AA search on those two cables and you'll find more info that you'll ever need. :-) You can also do a search on Cousin Dupree. Have fun!

Thanks for the info and help!

Lkdog, I think your money would be much better spent on upgrading electronics, specifically getting that bright and brittle Parasound HCA1000 out of the loop. Replacing it with even the HCA1500 parasound amp will make a world of difference, as would buying a dedicated 2ch preamp, whereas with optical/coax cables I'm very willing to bet is going to be a very, very minor if even percievable change with your system. It typically takes an extremely revealing (expensive) system to discern cable differences, especially digitial cable differences (should any actually exist). Not faulting your system in the least, I had a very similar one that was very enjoyable, actually briefly using the same amp, speaker wires and simlar speakers, just relaying my experience in such a setup. Not saying you shouldn't try different cables for your self, just saying where it my upgrade disease kicking in, I would spend the money elsewhere.