Which type of cable is commonly used for digital audio connections?

The use of AES/EBU cable is widely recognized for professional digital audio applications. This type of cable is specifically designed to transmit digital audio signals between professional audio equipment, ensuring high fidelity and low interference. It uses balanced connections, which help reduce noise and signal degradation over longer distances, making it suitable for studio environments and live sound scenarios.

AES/EBU stands for Audio Engineering Society/European Broadcasting Union, which defines the electrical and physical characteristics of digital audio signals. The cable typically comes in a standard XLR format, which is common in professional audio settings, making it versatile for various audio equipment connections.

In contrast, while other options like SPdif and optical fiber cables also serve digital audio purposes, the AES/EBU cable is specifically tailored for professional-grade setups, enhancing its significance in that context. SPdif can utilize both coaxial and optical connections, and RCA cables are generally associated with analog audio rather than digital audio transmission. Optical fiber cables handle digital audio as well but are primarily used for longer distance applications, differing from the typical situations where AES/EBU would be applied.