PRODUCT REVIEW

Kimber Toslink
Reviewed by Gary A. Galo

Kimber OPT1 Toslink Optical Digital
Interconnect. Kimber Kable, 2752 S.
I 900 W.. Ogden, UT 84401; (801) 621
55-30: www.kimber.com. $50/1m, $40/1/2m.

The Toslink optical interface for digitalaudio is generally not regarded as the best way to connect consumer digitalaudio equipment. A properly implemented S PDI coaxial interface usually has lower jitter levels and superior sound quality. Nonetheless, much consumer digital audio equipment comes with only Toslink inputs and outputs. An optical interface has one advantage over a coaxial cable connection. A number of vicars ago I bought a video laserdisc player. I chose a Pioneer CLD- because of its Toslink optical digital output. I preferred ground Isolation between my audio and video system-an optical connection to my outboard D-A converter seemed sensible. Many consumer products equipped with Toslink connectors come with a free Toslink optical interconnect cable. Its not surprising that these -throw away" cables are about as good as the free RCA audio interconnects given away by many manufacturers. When you compare Toslink to properly implemented coax S/PDIF. S/PDIF wins every time. Toslink brings out everything that the anti-digital crowd criticizes about digital audio-mediocre soundstaging: harshness in the treble region: and a dry, Closed-down sound quality.

A Sound Improvement
Fortunately,. there's fairly economical way to substantially improve the performance of the Toslink interface-KimberKable's s OPT1 Toslink optical digital interconnect cable. In designing and constructing the OPT1- Kimber has improved on the performance of generic Toslink cables in several ways.

PHOTO 1: Kimber Kable's OPT1 cable.

Kimber uses a wide-bandwidth, medical-grade, light-conducting fiber, manufactured from a shatterproof polymer. The fiber is encapsulated in a thermal barrier to prevent heat warping. which can increase reflections and consequently Jitter. The ends of the cable are precision-polished, which also minimizes reflections. The outer jacket provides mechanical damping and helps prevent physical damage to the cable. The OPT1 is extremely flexible making it easy to install in any audio system.

Sonically, the OPT1is a substantial improvement over conventional Toslink cables. Compared to generic cables, The OPT1 opens up the soundstage, reduces digital hardness, and reveals air and transparency previously missing from the Toslink interface. However, the OPT1 wont make the Toslink interface perform as well as properly implemented S/PDIF. There still appear, to be a limitation in the performance of the TX176 and RX176 Toslink transmitter and receiver Modules used in Most consumer digital products.

But, the OPT1 will allow you m extract the most from the Toslink digital interface. If you are using a Toslink cable in your system, I highly recommend replacing it with the Kimber OPT1.