Originally Posted by GaryArthur
What would you say is the Toslink's greatest weakness?
Hi Gary
Both Optical and Coax are forms of SPDIF Connections...........and as Meridian has shown, both are fine for connecting components.......some people have a preference for Coax over Optical (as do I) but both can function very well

The difference here is that we are talking about Optical out of a Mac (or any computer for that matter)

As you've seen from the previous posts, when a Computer is the "Master" of sending the PCM Data Stream over SPDIF, then that can lead to reasonably significant amounts of Jitter.......sometimes up to 4,500ps........the reason being is that a Computer has a lot going on within the OS (even when Idling), and as a result, Jitter will occur

The major difference with an Async USB Device is that the Async Device controls the Rate of PCM Data from the Computer.......i.e. the Computer is now the "Slave" and the Async device is the "Master"

Net result is that VERY low levels of Output Jitter.......measured as 185ps by Stereophile and 75ps by Computer Audiophile

You'll notice above that I have called the Halide Design Bridge a "Device", as I believe that it is best to think of it like a "Black Box for Source Jitter Reduction"..........which just so happens to look like a Cable, for convenience

The Halide Design Bridge is an Async USB Device......and as such is far more than just an Optical or Coax Cable

By the way, it's also worth reading up on the Wavelength and Ayre QB9 USB, as both of these use the same Aysnc USB connectivity

Async USB is the future of Device Connectivity IMHO........along with IP Packets over Ethernet......both are Two Way and as a result are able to dramatically reduce / eliminate Jitter levels at Outputs and Inputs

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