Audio Cables
Used primarily to connect audio equipment such as home cinema systems and stereos to an audio output, audio cables can also be used to connect instruments to audio outputs. When purchasing an audio cable, you will often be able to choose from a variety of connectors, dependent upon the sound quality you require, the equipment they are to be used for and the audio signal: digital or analogue.
Digital signal is the most commonly used for home cinema, hi-fi and professional audio installations. And usually, the digital audio interface of choice is the SPDIF (Sony-Philips Digital Interface Format). There are two different ways to implement the SPDIF: optical or coaxial. An optical SPDIF interface utilises fibre optic cable with Mini Optical or TosLink connectors. A coaxial interface will utilise 75 Ohm coaxial cable and RCA phono connectors.
Mini Plug, Mini TosLink and Mini Optical Jacks are all alternative names for the aforementioned Mini Optical connectors. All names refer to the same connector however. Such a connector is most often used on portable CD and mini disc players, as well as other forms of audio device. DVD players and CD players on the other hand, would utilise TosLink connectors, as would surround sound receivers and DAT recorders.
Some commonly used audio cables include: hi-fi and AV phono connector cables, XLR cables used for music and audio applications, cables with 6.5mm jack plugs for musical instruments, and audio connection cables with 3.5mm jacks for general use.
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