Tripp Lite A102-02M Digital Optical Audio Cable with 2 Toslink connectors - 2M (6ft)
by Tripp Lite
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List Price: Our Price: $2.55 You Save: $11.24 (82%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Tripp Lite A102-02M Digital Optical Audio Cable with 2 Toslink connectors - 2M (6ft)
Customer Review: Does the job--at a great price.
Summary: 4 Stars
Digital audio cable (or TOSLINK, as it is also commonly known) is a very common interface in my home entertainment system. My aging Sony A/V reciever only has 4 optical ins/outs and my system of components using the cable standard easily doubles that. I've purchased optical cable switchers and have a lot of optical cable running in the back of my media center. In that regards, I have a number of makes and models of cables, from minimalist and very delicate in build quality to quite robust (and perhaps to the point of overkill). This Tripp Lite cable fits squarely in the middle...a nice solid cable that feels good, but not indestructable. I plugged it in and it works just fine.
Why does build quality matter? TOSLINK, a glass fiber based optical cable standard, is nice, thin and robust in its transmission speeds--but it is susceptible to breaking by overtwisting or sharp impact. If you're comfortable using thin cheap optical cabling because your system is sealed and the cabling rarely accessed, go for it. But for many of us, your system isn't in 'lock down mode' and you may have an intermittent need to rewire or get back there in the "rats' nest" on occasion. For that reason, I recommend this product as a good compromise between cost/quality...it will take the knocks/use (within reason) without breaking the bank.
In short--you don't need the more expensive solutions by Monster or Belkin (which I own and respect). Just evaluate your scenario/circumstances and buy accordingly.
Customer Review: Experiences with vendors UnitedInegral and Cmple, Inc.
Summary: 3 Stars
I attempted to buy this cable twice from two different vendors off of Amazon.
The first purchase was from UnitedIntegral. They did not send me a Tripp Lite branded cable. I received some off-brand cable in cheap packaging. However, the cable seemed like it was good quality and worked. It also looks like the cable pictured in the Amazon listing as well as on the Tripp Lite website, so I did not complain.
The second purchase was from Cmple, Inc. They also did not send me a Tripp Lite branded cable. Instead, they sent the thinnest, flimsiest, cheapest-looking optical cable I've ever seen. Obviously, it did not match the picture and even the description of the cable in the Amazon listing or on Cmple's own website - no gold-plated connectors or anchored dust-covers, etc. I complained, and Cmple promptly offered a no-hassle refund. That's good, but trying to bait-and-switch customers with inferior products is immoral and just plain wrong, even if we're talking about a $3 cable.
If you don't mind receiving an off-brand, make sure you buy from UnitedIntegral and STAY AWAY FROM CMPLE, INC.!!!!
Customer Review: Doesn't work, doesn't fit securely.
Summary: 1 Stars
I chose this cable because it didn't have any negative reviews about not fitting securely into your device. Now I'm sorry I bought one. I tried plugging it into my new LCD TV and it just fell out each time. It would not stay securely plugged in. I've read other reviews of other brands of TOSlink cables where people have had the same problem, and I'm wondering if maybe my TV is to blame.
EDIT: A few weeks later I went to Radio Shack and bought a 6 foot gold series digital optical audio cable for $17.99. This one works perfectly. When I pushed it into my TV's port, I felt it snap into place securely. The other end plugged into my home theater also snapped securely into place. The Tripp Lite cable came in a zip loc bag, and I wonder if it was used and worn down, or if they're all defective. My new cable came in secure plastic packaging that obviously had not been opened or used.
In the end it was all worth it, since the Dolby digital sound I get with the digital cable is excellent.
I don't recommend the Tripp Lite cable. I recommend looking for a better one that has good reviews.
Customer Review: Quality toslink cable that does the job
Summary: 5 Stars
For anyone looking for a digital optical cable, the Tripp Lite is a very affordable solution. It is not the highest quality cable, but since it is transmitting a digital signal, quality does not really matter. The only way quality comes into play with optical cables is in the housing. There are many cheap cables out there that can have the ends break off after a lot of reconnecting. This cable is sort of mid-quality in terms of housing. It does not feel cheap, but I also wouldn't expect it to last ten years like a Monster cable would. But at this price, it is a great choice if you plan on connecting it and leaving it alone for awhile. I have bought two and it sounds great.
Do not be fooled into spending $80 for Monster cables when this cable does exactly what it needs to. I have a premium "Monster-type" cable and there is no distinguishable difference in sound. If you are currently using component or God-forbid, analog RCA cables for your audio connections, I definitely recommend upgrading to toslink. You will definitely notice a difference in sound.
Customer Review: Xbox360 Elite to Receiver
Summary: 5 Stars
Perfect connection between the Xbox 360 EliteXbox 360 Elite System Console Includes 120GB Hard Drive and a 5.1 Onkyo receiver Onkyo HT-S3100 5.1 Channel Home Entertainment System (Set of Seven, Black). The connections are firm. (I could have alternately chosen to hook the TV to the receiver with the same cable.. but have not tried that yet.)
Note that neither the 360 nor the receiver come with such a cable (though if you plan to hear anything beyond stereo, you need it). Also, (from web research), don't get a 6' cable if 3' will do.
Some sites tout the benefit of optical over other choices for multi-channel audio; but as far as I tell with the Xbox, there isn't any other choice to worry about. You either need a toslink from the xbox to the receiver (or TV to receiver) or you go with HDMI to the receiver (cheap ones don't support HDMI).