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Is 75 ohm coax the same as S/PDIF?

I'm new to digital connections and I'd like to get a DAC to take the digital out of my CD player and eventually from a computer thru USB. So I need to make sure whichever DAC I get can accept the 75 ohm coax out of my CD player. It looks like an RCA, and so does an S/PDIF connector, I believe. Yet I undestand S/PDIF is a protocol...so I'm confused.

Would anyone please clarify?
lewinskih01
lewinskih01 OP
793 posts
 
Thanks for the feedback, but I'm thinking I probably didn't make myself clear: my CD player has a digital out (RCA) that the manual says it's a 75 ohm coax connection. If I get a DAC with S/PDIF input and buy the appropriate cable, will the two work together?

Thanks!
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,424 posts
 
Yes.
lewinskih01 OP
793 posts
 
Kr, thanks for the straight answer. I'm only hoping you answered the question I think you did!
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,424 posts
 
You asked 2 questions:
Would anyone please clarify?
Clearly, if I had answered this with "Yes," it would be ambiguous.

If I get a DAC with S/PDIF input and buy the appropriate cable, will the two work together?
Yes.
peter_s
1,088 posts
 
You can make your own 75 ohm connector with good quality belgin 75 ohm coax and good quality RCA connectors. Most people say the proper length for this is 1.5 meters, but I believe a very short run (e.g. 8 inches) also works well (if your DAC will sit right atop your CD player).
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