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In Reply to: RE: Dumb question, but... posted by Jim in Blacksburg on February 27, 2008 at 14:38:06
Coaxial cable is designed for coherent propagation of high frequency signals. Modulated RF for radio and TV, and high-speed digital, require the propagation velocity be reasonably constant over a wide frequency range to avoid distortion. The finished cables are typically long compared to the wavelengths involved. Impedance control is important so that the equipment can terminate the cables with matched impedances to avoid reflections.
Audio interfaces are deliberately not matched. Sources are typically low impedance, and loads are high impedance, to preserve the voltage as the analog to the audio signal. The impedance of the cable used for the audio interconnection is not important for the preservation of the audio band fidelity.
The low frequency resistance and capacitance of a digital coax cable will not be that much different compared to audio cables of similar length. However, the sonic qualities of the parts used to construct the digital cable will not have been considered in its design. Once you get beyond the cheapest audio cables, you are paying for the time someone spent in evaluating the sonic properties of the raw cable or constituent parts, as well as the costs of materials, labor, distribution, and sales.
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