How to Buy Digital Coax Cables

Audio has come a long way since the days of turntables and 8-track tapes. Today's audio equipment doesn't use analog signals anymore. Everything's digital. This includes CD's, MP3's and DVD audio signals. Coaxial digital cables are very important in creating superior sound. They look similar to the RCA cables that you may be familiar with. Digital coax cables transmit the highest quality digital signal possible.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Know your audio equipment needs. Everything from DVD players to home theater receivers have connections for digital coax cables. Determine how many feet you need, especially if you're wiring a room. A single digital coaxial cable carries all available audio channels. That means you only need one cable to carry right and left stereo signals.

2. Choose between coaxial and optical cables. Most audio equipment is made to allow both types of connectors. Coax cables use copper to transmit the sound. Optical uses pulses of light. To the average ear, you won't notice much of a difference and coaxial cable is 50 percent cheaper. Digital coax cables are affordable and start at about $10 for six feet of cable.

3. Research the different cables available. Like anything else, quality varies depending on how the cable is made. Some are made with very inexpensive materials, so they are inexpensive for you to buy. The better the cable, the less signal loss there will be. Higher end digital coax cables are made with silver and oxygen free copper. They can run as much as $650, but have outstanding abilities.

Tips & Warnings

• Look for the 75 ohm impedance on the coaxial cable. Consider this the minimum requirement for a good cable.