Digital Cables Compared: Usb Vs Coaxial Vs Optical - Choose Wisely!

Digital Cables Compared: Usb Vs Coaxial Vs Optical - Choose Wisely!
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0:00 - Introduction
00:59 - Track 1 - Chantal Chamberland - ‎Mama This One's For You
05:35 - Track 2 - Fourplay - Bali Run
11:07 - Track 3 - Bob James - Feel Like Making Love / Night Crawler
20:20 - And the winner is ...
In this video, we’ll be listening to the three most common types of cables used to connect your Hi-Fi audio system: USB, optical, and coaxial cables. We’ll be exploring the pros and cons of each cable type and helping you decide which one is right for your specific needs. Whether you’re a music lover or an audiophile, this video is for you! So sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the world of Hi-Fi audio cables. Don’t forget to like and subscribe for more great content!
Coaxial cables use electricity to transmit audio data and have a standard circular RCA connector. They tend to sound better than optical cables because they have greater bandwidth available, meaning they can support higher quality audio up to 24-bit/192kHz. However, coaxial cables can transfer electrical noise between your devices, which can negatively impact sound quality. Coaxial cables also don’t have the bandwidth required to support high-quality surround sound formats such as Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Atmos, and DTS.
Optical cables use light to transmit data through a cable’s optical fibers. They don’t allow noise to pass from source to DAC circuitry like coaxial cables do, making them ideal for connecting straight into the DAC of a soundbar or AV receiver. However, optical cables are usually restricted to 96kHz, which is lower than coaxial cables.
USB cables are the most versatile of the three options. They can transmit both audio and data, making them ideal for connecting your computer to your Hi-Fi system. USB cables also support high-quality audio up to 32-bit/384kHz, which is higher than both coaxial and optical cables. However, USB cables can be affected by electrical noise, which can negatively impact sound quality.
In summary, the best cable for your Hi-Fi audio system depends on your specific needs. If Coaxial is your and optical are your only options and sound quality is your goal, then a coaxial cable is your best bet. If you’re looking for a cable that doesn’t transfer electrical noise, then an optical cable is the way to go. And if you’re looking for a versatile cable that can transmit both audio and data, then a USB cable is your best option.

[@VirtualHiFi]

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[@matytinman]

Now that no one reads us, I am AMAZED by the sound of the full-range Cube. Where was I these years without finding out about its existence? 😮

[@user-ch5dx8ws5d]

Coax SPDIF sounds just natural, USB sounds very edgy at the upper midrange, and Optical sounds rolled-off at the upper end, thank you for the effort.

[@bossunimportantstuff]

Thank you, the differences are clear to hear, great recording skills. But the question is why do the differences occur? My guess is that the USB send the data straight into the DAC where as optical and coaxial have additional sending and receiving circuitry that affect the sound quality. I see you have a TV on the wall. Many TV's can send audio over the USB connection and some TV's have optical outputs. It would be interesting to hear the difference between signals from the TV versus the Eversolo streamer.

[@topandrun126]

Differences is very small. But i can say one thing your setup sounds awesome this is how music should sound.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thank you very much for your comment and great feedback 😃👍

[@tessie4204]

For me its USB but it all depends on the wich DAC we use and wich equalizer settings we use. So its very personal. Thanks for the video :)

[@VirtualHiFi]

thank you for sharing your comment ;)

[@blownouttransmission5832]

its remarkable that home audio is at a level where we can hear the difference between digital signal transmission types via a youtube video .

[@VirtualHiFi]

Hello. Yes if one picks good components and experiment, amazing sound is achievable. ;)

[@REX4340]

​@@VirtualHiFiare you using Qobuz or Tidal? Does the DAC do MQA? Thanks!

[@garlys3417]

Thank you, great video and super sound. I agree, first USB the most neutral, 2nd optical and last coax.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thank you for your comment and sharing your opinion 😆

[@danielbrrio]

For me it was the opposite. USB is uncomfortable at high frequencies, optical is more airy and coaxial is more natural, perhaps a little nasal. For me, I would go with the coax.

[@Gsmiler]

Reading the other comments tells you everything you need to know, we all have different tastes, we all hear differently yet each person believes the order in which they've chose is correct! 🤣

[@VirtualHiFi]

;)

[@D1N02]

I liked optical best, then usb, then coaxial. Through the crappy optical out of my old tv (it kept skipping)to the dac differences were hard to hear though. I think optical is always the safest choice because of galvanic isolation. Usb out of a generic pc is going to be q noise fest. What is best will depend on what you are connecting. The difference between this version of Mama this one is for you and the original is magnitudes larger though. Beth rules!

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for sharing 😊

[@deepcuttabeats356]

Through my Focal Choras, the USB was the best. It sounded as if the soundstage was a bit larger. The sound was more effortless. Optical was close, but sounded a bit “harder”. Coaxial sounded the softest and soundstage more narrow.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thank you for sharing your feedback.;)

[@deepcuttabeats356]

@@VirtualHiFi I have no idea why USB sounds better to my ears, but it does. Shouldn’t they all sound the same? Or is it because each transport is implemented differently on each device. So maybe in another device pairing, the optical may sound better than usb, or the coaxial? Moral of the story appears to be try each connection type because they may sound different and pick the best one for you.

[@quadrannilator]

​@@deepcuttabeats356 I agree that the signal chain starting from the source all the way to the receiver side is a very different electronic pathway for the same binary data (in the audio file) reaching the actual DAC chip, not to mention external factors like how each signal chain is differently impacted by changes in EMI, temperature, power supply variations, etc etc. I would say, that for better or worse, it would actually be surprising to me if there WEREN'T any changes in final sound output amongst the difference signal pathways.

[@chebrubin]

Wish we had a reclocker in the middle between the Eversolo and the DAC. Not sure anyone makes a reclocker for all 3 x digital inputs?

[@VirtualHiFi]

I'll try to tst it some day ;)

[@filipsosu]

Hi, I also have the A6ME. What you have actually tested here are the quality of the A6ME outputs and not the cables. Acusilicon femtoclocks in ME are in charge in the ME only for the USB output and that's an official info from eversolo. So of course USB is the best sounding one because coax output of the A6 is garbage. Try to put matrix spdif 2 or 3 between A6 and Weiss and go with coax to Weiss and you will be amazed how much better coax is sounding than USB directly to DAC.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Interesting thank you for sharing that ;) And who would care about that anyway since it's all 0s and 1s anyway ;)

[@user-fz2tl4of1v]

1 - coax, 2 - optical, 3 - usb. Very small difference, not sure about 1 and 2 if I hear any diff)), but USB seems to me less freedom in sound, slightly "smaller"

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thank you for your comment and feedback :)

[@matytinman]

First and third track: differences are small. 1. Coax-SPDIF, the best 2. Optical 3. USB Coax-SPDIF and Optical have more mid frequency boost and more "body" aka analogic. Very good sound recording! Live: the difference should be much more noticeable by avoiding the conversion to AAC 192 kbps (4K videos on KZbin vs 128 kbps 1080p).

[@matytinman]

USB, the sound is more open but more "digital", with less "magic". Optical, less spatiality but more analog 👉Coxial-SPDIF, analog and spatiality. It is the winner without discussion.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for sharing :)

[@VirtualHiFi]

Interesting :)

[@tw_judy]

@@matytinman both are just cables transmitting 1s and 0s... what do you mean less "magic"... this is confirmation bias coming into play

[@KL-kx5dj]

USB, Coax, Optical

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for sharing your opinion

[@louv4437]

The difference was slight but the coax had ever so slight better low end then USB was second and optical had the smallest soundstage but again it was slight.

[@ianpdavis]

Yeah same conclusion.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for sharing your feedback ;)

[@neilbrown-on4rm]

USB is just smoother. I have the Weiss 204 and plixar ps. The largest upgrade besides the dac has been a stealth tunable usb cable.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thank you for sharing ;)

[@johnshore3095]

Interestingly I have a physics degree and an engineering MSc from Southampton ISVR.

[@borisbobowski628]

😂

[@VirtualHiFi]

How cool is that 😎

[@victorasanza1584]

Definitivamente se Escucha Mejor con el Cable USB luego el Óptico y por último el Coaxial con Ruido

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thank you for sharing your opinion ;)

[@manardh7387]

It's what I have heard at times. The USB distorts the sound in a way the sibilant distractions sometimes gets masks with the apparent higher frequency advantage. The optical can be better and in this case its close between optical and coax. I hope that doesn't mean "coax TV cable". SPDIF can be quite good with a better grade cable. And then the close second place goes to optical. It's always easy on the brain and rounded. You must volume adjust for optical, better louder to hear the advantage. Again the optical quality cable has proven to matter. Thanks for the compare.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thank you for sharing your feedback and opinion. ;)

[@wegardfjeld3789]

USB sounds better. No surprise. Optical still have that analytical cold sound no matter what the 1's and 0's people say 😊.

[@alberto3028]

Do you have a fiber optic router? 😂

[@oliivioljy9700]

In my opinion, usb gives a slightly softer and slightly fuller sound and warmth in the bass end and sounds the most natural. Coax is slightly more clinical but also slightly pleasantly soft and really good, and optical sounds very clear but does not separate three-dimensional sound elements as well as USB. More than that, the optical is such a strong, sterile, clean sound. Very good of course, but that little warmth and relaxation in the voice is completely missing. All three represent quite good cleanliness and a good end result, but require high-resolution hifi tricks that you can also locate the differences. Mediocre hifi gadgets had a price even if they were infinite, you can hardly notice any differences.

[@wegardfjeld3789]

@@alberto3028 Good ears and good equipment. How about you since you can't hear differences?

[@VirtualHiFi]

I might accidentally started Cable wars ;) The difference is small, definitely smaller than with the amps so I totally understand why it might be hard.

[@wegardfjeld3789]

@@VirtualHiFi Differences between USB inputs and the 2 others on DACs are mainly the clocks, technology and how signal is handled more so then the cable 😉. Dac dependant too. On the Eversolo A6 ME LPS as a example it is very audible. Spidif/optical connection is outdated in current state.

[@stephensheldon-mx4uv]

I'm jst shocked I can clearly hear the diffrence between each cable listening on my iphone speakers ,I'm 53 and my hearing is crap aswell ,hows that possibly ,are you sure u didn't changer anything else

[@jupiterek]

1 COAX 2 USB 3 optical

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thank you for your vote :)

[@JohnDoe-np3zk]

Maybe my phone speaker not all that but your usb sounds maybe best then optical then coax. Somehow your coax sounds bad. Not bad bad just not so good. I would need to really know more about your system. In my system the coax the winner but I like some parts of optical. Very quiet, bass seems more solid and tight and optical a little brighter. The coax fuller better mids better vocals more musical in general. Cables matter i use dh labs stuff d750 coax and glasslink optical

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for sharing your feedback ;)

[@DIVA-MC-7]

USB all the way... the rest feels like my beyerdynamics headphones, analytical as hell. Only USB renders basses a lot more naturaly, and it is also more punchy (indeed how con you be punchy if you cant handle the bottom of the spectrum)

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thank you for your feedback and opinion ;)

[@allannielsen1546]

If anyone thinks that compressed KZbin sound is more revealing than any kind of digital cable, they ought to get their ears examined.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for sharing your opinion

[@REX4340]

USB sounds slightly distorted in the high hats.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for sharing ;)

[@ernestporee3697]

Why can’t other audio channels play music ?

[@VirtualHiFi]

That is a good question so 1. Copyrights and music licenses 2. It takes plenty of effort 3. It takes plenty of skill 4. It takes plenty of time 5. You will not make money from ads if you use copyrighted music (most music) 6. If your system sound like crap, people will hear it 😜

[@kobush18]

Sorry man but the test is not correct, what you test is not the cable only but the whole pass it's going through, meaning the electronics involved both on the receiver side and transmitter side and their influence on the sound. The cable is on part of three transmitter cables and receiver, you can't isolate and say it's the cable fault,it may be the one of the others fault , it's like a formula in mathematics with 3 variables , in other systems with other implementation of transmitter/receiver electronics the end result might be different, this result is unique to you system ( usually usb is the better method but not always)

[@VirtualHiFi]

Since you mention that I totally agree. I. A future test ill try to remember and address it more. The concept is what is The difference in sound if any and yes it's more not how the cable sound but how will the system sound using that particular cable ;)

[@alberto3028]

No difference.

[@oliivioljy9700]

If you have bought hi-fi/high end equipment for your room that is not capable of resolution, then it is no wonder that you do not hear any differences. The biggest and highest wall most often comes in the cooperation of your DAC clock and speaker amplifier and the echoes of your room.

[@alberto3028]

@@oliivioljy9700I used highend headphones.

[@alberto3028]

Please, we need to conduct a blind test to avoid suggestion.

[@wegardfjeld3789]

@@alberto3028 Didn't look at video, just listened 3 times. Easily differentiated between the 3 because there is clear differences in sound signature and quality. Topping wich is a popular brand among 1 and 0 people is now making new products sounding more natural. How can that be when they measure the same as previous gear 😉. Enjoy your music and use your ears 🙏

[@AT-wl9yq]

@@wegardfjeld3789 It's not 1's and 0's. The signal going through the cable is analog. Pure digital information can't be sent through a cable. Its an analog representation of the digital signal. The same things that effect other types of analog signal transfer can effect the "digital" cable as well. As for a blind test, its a complete waste of time. I can tell you what the outcome will be before you start. If the test shows there is no difference between the cables its accepted without question. If the test shows differences between the cables, it won't be accepted under any circumstances, no matter how well done it is. This whole issue has never been about cables. For some people its about winning an argument regardless of facts. For others its about building a youtube channel by telling them what they want to hear and calling it science. The next time someone asks you for a blind test, say this. "Can you reference a single, well done blind test, conducted by a reputable source that meets a standard you will accept, on any piece of high end audio equipment ever made?". After all these decades, they have yet to do a single test or provide one from a reputable source.

[@borisbobowski628]

Sry but the dac is crap, i compared it to a chord Qutest and its Galaxis between these two...the music has no depth and the only ok think are the mids.

[@VirtualHiFi]

thanks for sharing I'll borrow some Chord DACs and will do a comparison for all to enjoy :)

[@Negatywny2]

yes, you know, there is a technology that allows you to losslessly transmit a digital signal over a distance of hundreds of thousands of kilometers (from a server room in Hong Kong to your home) simultaneously using hundreds of different and cheapest possible cables, through hundreds of amplifiers and hundreds of various network devices, while simultaneously, for example, repeatedly converting the signal from the electrical to optical - but there is no technology that allows you to losslessly send this signal from your streamer to a DAC half a meter away from it :)

[@alberto3028]

👌

[@alberto3028]

Hahaha, you nailed it, and you explained it with quite clever irony. Plus, the people claiming there are differences are probably connected via WiFi to a router that operates on fiber optics! Haha, the next test should be done to see if there are differences with an ADSL modem or fiber optics, as well as if there are distinctions between playing CD-quality via WiFi or USB. 😂 Ignorance is quite daring; people are unaware of what the buffer is, CRC corrections, and, most importantly, that there is no jitter because the clock is internal to the DAC itself and not from the source.

[@quadrannilator]

While your comment is probably aimed at the crazy belief systems people have in the hobby, it also points out a very clear irony about electronics, that the moment a signal goes from the digital domain into the analog, the word lossless loses meaning and hundreds of little factors change the analog waveform that those final few metres and nanometers matter more than the thousands of kilometers that digital signal has passed through before the sound reaches your ears...

[@Negatywny2]

it's cute, but the signal between the streamer and the DAC is still digital, just like when it crossed the Atlantic@@quadrannilator

[@VirtualHiFi]

I agree. There should be no difference at all. I get that point. Ones and zeros remain the same and are decoded to analog later on and the same should happen. On the other hand I don't care about the cables and I approached the test with open mind and felt like there are slight differences. Yes it can be a placebo I will not bet against it, but 0 and 1 is a fact, but if you can hear the difference between one and other digital cables, that can be possible too since the measuring device(brain) was preprogramed by all the opinions the testing person read / heard and it impacts the perception, and brain can make the difference real (for this person). I do recordings because i find it more objective. I also share my opinion since many people are asking for that as well, but listening to some videos make the difference absolute evident hence worth fighting for. With the digital cables the difference if any is slight and while I would not buy some uber expensive cables, if one have various cables lying around or can but them without an impact on the budget, I'd say go ahead, if one can hear the difference, it is real at least for the person listening ;)

[@Negatywny2]

yeah, you need 500$ cable for your 100$ DAC and 100$ amp xD And of courde you really need 1000$ streamer to feed 100$ DAC xD

[@jasontimothywells9895]

The amplifiers are actually really good , as long as the system mates and sounds good doing it ,I support doing what one wants to so .

[@Negatywny2]

you cent even comprehent what i said. I didn't say amp was bad, I said you have to be completely deranged to believe you could build hi end amp and sell it for 100$, but cables are so complicated in construction that you must pay at least 500$ to get something decent xD@@jasontimothywells9895

[@VirtualHiFi]

Hi, I never claimed that it is the best way to go, but I'm just checking if there is a difference and imo if there is one it might be a placebo for sure it is worth a try since placebo also has a measurable effect

[@Negatywny2]

@@VirtualHiFi you can achieve the placebo effect with sugar balls, it's much more economical ;) However, I'm surprised that a guy involved in the creation of such fantastic loudspeakers, and also aware enough to know that they can be driven by an amplifier costing $100, suddenly goes crazy and finds differences in overpriced digital cables...

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thank you for your comment. Indeed this is interesting since I had few experiences with USB cables where I'd say I'd definitely hear the difference. I know the theory and I never claimed that you have to pay extra money for super 10000$ USB cables, coax and optical are some standard 20$ market cables (since there is no difference anyway ;) I test all cables to check if there is a difference and even if it's only placebo, placebo also brings the difference so even if according to the theory it does not change the sound of the setup, but changes the measurement system (human brain) it changed the sound perception after all ;)