Advice needed on a potentially faulty digital optical cable

[admin_exported]

I recently purchased a CYP AU-D3 Digital To Analogue Converter with a free Fisual Install 5 Star Rated Optical Cable to connect my LG47LE8900 to my Bose sounddock speaker. Most of the time it works well but when the sound level is cranked up I get an annoying intermittent fault. It sounds like a temporary (about 0.5 second) loss or distortion of the sound.

I am assuming that the DAC is okay. I am a bit suspicious of the cable as it came free. Before I run off and purchase a TCI Coral optical cable (or something in that price range), can you let me know whether this seems a reasonable step to make. I am guessing that the fault may lie with the way the cable mates with the connectors at either end.

Any advice gratefully received.

 

[noogle]

Unlikely to be the cable, because if it was faulty it would affect all volume levels.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the comment, I can see the logic. It may happen at other volume levels - its just that I seem to notice it when I give full attention to the TV output which is usually when I am watching a music festival on the BBC HD or Sky Arts HD. Assuming it is happening at all levels would that suggest the cable or the DAC?

 

[Andrew Everard]

I could be a momentary loss of digital lock between the TV and the DAC, a problem inside the DAC, or a problem in the interconnects between the DAC and the Bose. IMO the digital cable is the least likely suspect here.

 

[Anonymous]

Andrew

Thanks for the comments. I have used the Bose sounddock for several years on a previous TV using the headphone output and I initially used the headphone output on the LG but the level was too low. It's only since I went the optical cable/DAC route that the problem has arisen. I recognise that the DAC is at the lower end of the range of devices and I seem to have read somewhere that somebody had a similar problem but I can't remember the outcome. One final question if I may. Is there really a noticeable difference between a cheap and mid-range cable such as the TCI coral?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Not if it's not the cable that's at fault, no...