Customer Reviews

Acoustic Research AP071 Performance Series Audio Digital Coaxial Cable with RCA Connectors

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First off, the cable is 6 feet long. For some reason this isn't in the product description, so there it is. Anyway, having said that, I can say with 100% certainty that this cable is every bit as good as my much, MUCH more expensive Monster Toslink cable. I got this cable to replace the optical one because I'm switching soundcards on my computer and the new one doesn't have optical output. Anyway, I tested them side by side and I couldn't tell a difference. I'm already using Monster speaker cable which does make a HUGE difference over the junky cable that came with my Logitech Z-680's. Anyway, I could tell no difference whatsoever switching between the two. The only real difference is the price. I paid more than ten times as much for the Monster Toslink cable. So, if you're debating whether to go with this or something more expensive my reccomendation is to go with this cable. It'll save you a lot of money and you'll get the exact same performance.

As others have said, the reason that the cheaper cable is able to match the more expensive cable is the digital signal. Either the cable works or it doesn't work. There really isn't much (if any) "middle ground" as there is with analog cables. At first I was skeptical after reading all the hype about the better speaker cables, but now after having used both I know that that's just what it is: hype.

When folks talk about audio quality, they're typically referring to ANALOG components. A DIGITAL cable or other component either works or it doesn't. If a single bit is off in a DIGITAL audio signal, the untrained ear will hear the loud blip or screech. That is to say, even cheap components will work with 100% quality (or they're literally useless junk and could not be sold). (If digital video bit is bad, it will result in a single bad pixel, which is much harder to pick up with the eye.) Analog components have a better or worse quality level; digital components are either right or wrong. There's no middle ground and no reason to pay up because quality cannot improve.

Most of the other reviews appear to be from the manufacturer or from megalomaniacs and I would disregard them; although you have to love the "serious audiophile".

This item looks and feels like a high end piece of audio connection equipment. Sounds great also.

I wanted a digital cable to connect my dvd player (inexpensive, but decent) to my receiver. Although I could have used an optical digital cable, since my receiver has 2 optical inputs and the dvd player comes with both optical and coax audio outs, I decided to get the coax, since it is sturdier than the optical cables. The sound seems crisp and clear to me, and I have had no problems with any interference with the TV picture, which one reviewer insists must happen any time anyone uses this cable to hook up their dvd player--I'm sorry he has had problems with his set up, but I have had none, and, contrary to his assertion in his review that no one who reviews this cable positively could ever have used it, I have used no other cable with my dvd player and have encountered no problems. (Did he possibly try to use it to connect his DVD player to the video-in of his TV?)

Acoustic research makes some fine cables and this is another good example. My dvd-audio disc and movies sound awesome when run through this cable. I totally recommend this cable unless you plan to run it over 10 ft. In that case look to buy a optical digital cable instead as from what I've read, audiophiles recommend optical for longer runs. Shorter runs seem to be identical between digital coax, and digital optical.

Who needs the very expensive Monster Cable. I've been using Acoustic Research cable for as long as I can remember. I have Acoustic Research component video cable, AR Digital Audio Cable and AR Digital Optical cable. Never had a problem with any of them. Audio and video is excellent. There is no reason why you should spend mucho bucks for Digital Audio cable. If it's not broke, don't fix it. I will always buy AR cable no matter what type I need.

one less cable behind my receiver and good sound, but HDMI is better if you have the inputs, sound and video on one cable!

I bought this product for my PC to Logitech Z-5500. It works like advertised. I had to also connect the direct 6 connections because I found out the all digital coaxial/optical cables can only handle stereo unless encoded with dolby digital / dts (i.e DVD soundtracks, or Dolby digital live / dts connect).

It works, it was cheap, and it seems nicely made. Not much else to say.

installed it in my home theater system, I didn't see any distinction between this cable and a regular rca cable, but I am not an audioholic anyways...for the price, you cant go wrong