Topic: Optical cables

[Low Spark]

I bought two optical cables from Parts express and rt angles for both ends but thefirst time used them i got cracks and pops when using both cables from my ad-20 to JB3. Any answers. Are cables bad???

[Brian Skalinder]

While unlikely, it's possible both cables are bad right out of the box.

Are the right-angle ends integrated into the cable, or are you using adapters?  If adapters, try without them.

Has the AD-20 / JB3 combo worked flawlessly for you in the past?

Have you tried a known-good cable?

[BJ]

have you checked to make sure you are getting a solid connection between the cable and the jb3?  I remember reading something about people filing(griding) down their jb3 so the cable would fit better.

[Low Spark]

Yes everything has worked flawlessly with other cables that weren't so beefy. Never has any problems at all. Maybe i got unlucky and got two bad cables at once.

[keepongoin]

have you checked to make sure you are getting a solid connection between the cable and the jb3?  I remember reading something about people filing(griding) down their jb3 so the cable would fit better.

that is for analog in - some TRS mini-plugs are too wide near the base to allow them to fit all the way into the JB3.

[F.O.Bean]

have you checked to make sure you are getting a solid connection between the cable and the jb3? I remember reading something about people filing(griding) down their jb3 so the cable would fit better.

that is for analog in - some TRS mini-plugs are too wide near the base to allow them to fit all the way into the JB3.

FWIW< ive heard of these some issues going digi in

[John R]

only issue i've ever had was letting the batt for the hosa run dry

[aberg]

Have you recently formatted your jb3 and done a disk clean up... if I don't do those fairly often, I end up getting a few digipops on recordings, like SpechulEd.

[F.O.Bean]

Have you recently formatted your jb3 and done a disk clean up... if I don't do those fairly often, I end up getting a few digipops on recordings, like SpechulEd.

i reformat after every show/event, i do a disc cleanup before any big trips

[F.O.Bean]

Always, as in never make an exception, use the little plastic end caps on the opti cables. Keeps what passes for a lens clean and scratch free. Maybe it makes a dif, maybe not, but since it's not an electrical connection but an optical/mechanical one... I'd not risk introducing anything that would alter the transmission of the light between source and target... but that's just me.

I have experienced some digi noise that I can only logicly trace to a loose connection within a RA Toslink adapter (Parts Express) with the rotating plug. This comes out of my UA5. It makes access to the RCA in/out jacks a problem, but I've taken to taping down my RA Toslink so it can't move as it sits in my bag in the vert. position. Since I've done that I've never heart a single tick, zit or clik. YMMV

true that, my toslink end never leaves the v3, and the mini end has the plastic/rubber cap on it for transporting

[thierryhenry]

Two stupid questions:

First HOW DO you format your Jb3 Hard-drive? Do you do it internally within the Jb3 or do you have to connect it to your computer? Are you just talking about deleting your old files? I have never understood this.

I also am interested in the PS-2 > AD-20 > Jb3 combo. Lowspark, or others, what exact cables do I need to connect the AD-20 to the Jb3. If you could post pics/links it would be well appreciated. +T for the help!

[F.O.Bean]

Two stupid questions:

First HOW DO you format your Jb3 Hard-drive? Do you do it internally within the Jb3 or do you have to connect it to your computer? Are you just talking about deleting your old files? I have never understood this.

I also am interested in the PS-2 > AD-20 > Jb3 combo. Lowspark, or others, what exact cables do I need to connect the AD-20 to the Jb3. If you could post pics/links it would be well appreciated. +T for the help!

when formatting your HD on the jb3, you reset it and go into rescue mode, thats also how you do a disc cleanup

[John R]

I also am interested in the PS-2 > AD-20 > Jb3 combo. Lowspark, or others, what exact cables do I need to connect the AD-20 to the Jb3. If you could post pics/links it would be well appreciated. +T for the help!

see my post here:  http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=33905.0

[thierryhenry]

But shouldn't it be optical on one side and terminate into 1/8" on the other so I can plug into the JB3? That's where I get confused, do I need to get an adapter or what? Thanks.

[Brian Skalinder]

But shouldn't it be optical on one side and terminate into 1/8" on the other so I can plug into the JB3? That's where I get confused, do I need to get an adapter or what?

Yes and yes.  I think the AD-20 has an optical mini output.  And the JB3 has an optical mini input.  So if you have an optical cable with two toslink ends (like the one pictured, below), you'll need 2 toslink > mini adapters.  Some people like toslink > right-angle mini adapters, others prefer the straight adapters.  Of course, if the AD-20 has an optical toslink output, you'd only need one adapter.

FWIW, I've had great results with my Sound Professionals optical cable - right-angle toslink on one end, right-angle mini on the other (no adapters required).  It doesn't appear terribly robust, but I take pretty good care of it and always have a backup cable / adapters just in case.  An identical cable is available on EBay every so often for ~$10.