I would like to hook my satellite box to my oppo udp-205 for two channel audio

My understanding is that digital coax will be cleaner because optical is not really recommended for long runs unless your run is about as straight as a ruler.

Bill

I use coax from my UDP-205. This one specifically, but of course there are many coax options. https://www.bluejeanscable.com/pages/technicaldocs/1694tech.htm

Coax will sound better than optical.

But, you may experience ground loop hum problems using the coax cable.

What may cause the ground loop is any appreciable differences in lengths between the safety equipment grounding conductor of the branch circuit feeding the wall receptacle outlet the SAT box is plugged into, and the safety equipment grounding conductor of the wall receptacle your audio equipment is plugged into. If a difference of potential, voltage, exists between the two grounds there is a good chance you will hear a 60Hz ground loop hum through the speakers of the audio system. (Providing the SAT receiver box uses a 3 wire cord and plug, that uses the safety equipment ground, and any piece of the audio equipment, (Connected together by wire interconnects), the Coax cable will be connected to that uses a 3 wire cord and plug, safety equipment ground.)

Another problem that may cause a ground loop with using the coax cable is how did the installer of the SAT Dish earth ground the dish and LMB of the dish. How did he connect the grounding block of the SAT dish and LMB to the main grounding system of the electrical service of the house.

Any difference of potential, voltage, between the coax shield of the cable of the SAT system and any piece of associated audio equipment, that will be connected to the SAT coax cable, that uses the wall receptacle outlet safety equipment ground, will cause a ground loop hum. (They will be connected together electrically)

With optical there is not an electrical connection between the SAT system earth ground and the audio system equipment ground, if used.

You could start out by buying a cheap 30ft digital coax cable and see if you hear any 60Hz hum through your speakers. If no hum buy a better digital coax cable.

What about cable rg59,,,, 2 /30 ft runs and adapters to rca male plugs

Regarding the possibility of ground loop hum that jea48 pointed out is true. But you (OP) could still go the coax option by inserting a ground loop isolator. Relatively inexpensive ($10?) and they do work. I use one that was provided/installed by my cable company.

What about cable rg59,,,, 2 /30 ft runs and adapters to rca male plugs

First i would not use RG59, but better RG6 quad shielded.

Why 2 - 30 ft runs?

Does your SAT receiver box have a 75 ohm digital out RCA jack? If yes you will only need 1 digital cable.

There are several options you can use for the digital input on your oppo udp-205 player.
http://download.oppodigital.com/UDP20X/UDP-205_User_Manual_English_V1.0.0.pdf

still go the coax option by inserting a ground loop isolator

I know there are ground loop isolators that are made for CATV, cable TV, but I am not aware of one made for a Satellite Dish. I could be wrong though.

no digital out only rca red and white plus optical output

You have two choices. Digital optical out, or, 2 channel analog out.

30 ft analog RCA interconnects are pretty long. I would think they would really need to be well shielded. Next thing, at about a 2V signal output, what will the signal sound like when it finally reaches the other end of the cables? This would be a question for someone like Al, (almarg) to answer. Or someone with first hand experience.

Safe bet is to go with an optical cable. No doubt it will be cheaper. Trade off? Possibly cold and sterile digital sound. That will depend though on the DAC in the oppo upd and on how reveling your audio system is.

 No doubt though the DAC in the oppo is better than the one in the SAT receiver.

pre is c2300 ,,amp is 7b3,,speakers fs-788,,

I will try the optical first

thanks 

With a long cable I would personally start with the digital coax. More generally, however, inputs are often a scarce resource, so if cable length is not an issue I would use the coax for the source with the highest sound quality (e.g. BD player) and optical for e.g. the television.

The cable box only has optical out
Using HDMI for the TV
I will get a cheap optical and try that

Thanks

Good idea.

fish3434345 OP
9 posts                                                                                 11-06-2017 4:22am

I will get a cheap optical and try that

Not all Toslink plastic optical cables are the same. I would not buy the cheapest cable you can find. It’s not it either works, or it doesn’t work.


What’s involved in testing a fiber optics cable. It’s not as simple as the cable works or it doesn’t.
http://www.lanshack.com/fiber-optic-tutorial-testing.aspx

Though I personally have not bought anything from Blue Jeans Cable I have read many posts from others that have. I can not recall ever reading any bad posts about the company or their products.

From reading the info on their website they will build the Toslink cable to the length you need. From what I read Blue Jeans tests the fiber optics cable after the ends are installed to make sure it meets industry standards. Just a guess, they should, supply the buyer a copy of the test results. You might want to check them out and get a price.

From their website.

We hand-cut and terminate each of these cables ourselves so we know they’re done right and tested before they go out. We think you’ll be impressed with their performance; but we also offer a simple and easy return policy. If for any reason you’re not completely satisfied, just return the cables, undamaged, within 30 days and we’ll refund your purchase price in full.

https://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/digital-audio/index.htm


.

An even better idea.
See here for such issues on the usb side: http://archimago.blogspot.nl/2015/05/measurements-corning-usb-3-optical.html