What Is a TOSLINK Cable?
A TOSLINK cable is a fibre-optic cable used to transmit digital audio signals using light instead of electrical current.
It is commonly used to connect devices such as TVs, CD players, game consoles, and streamers to amplifiers, DACs, or soundbars.
What does TOSLINK mean?
TOSLINK stands for Toshiba Link. It was originally developed by Toshiba in the 1980s as a standard for optical digital audio transmission.
How does a TOSLINK cable work?
Unlike traditional copper audio cables, a TOSLINK cable transmits audio data as pulses of light.
- The source device converts audio into a digital signal.
- An LED inside the optical output sends light pulses through the cable.
- The receiving device converts the light back into digital data.
Because the signal is transmitted as light, TOSLINK cables are immune to electrical interference.
What audio formats does TOSLINK support?
TOSLINK commonly supports:
- PCM stereo audio
- Dolby Digital
- DTS surround sound
However, it does not typically support higher-bandwidth formats such as Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio.
TOSLINK vs coaxial digital cable
TOSLINK (Optical)
- Uses light transmission
- Immune to electrical interference
- Slightly more fragile cable construction
Coaxial digital
- Uses electrical signal over copper
- More physically robust
- Can sometimes support slightly higher bandwidth
In many home audio systems, sound quality differences are minimal, provided both connections are functioning correctly.
When should you use a TOSLINK cable?
A TOSLINK cable is useful when:
- Connecting a TV to an amplifier or soundbar
- Linking a CD player or streamer to an external DAC
- Avoiding ground loop or electrical noise issues
Are TOSLINK cables directional?
Most standard TOSLINK cables are not directional. They transmit light in one direction, but orientation is determined by the output and input ports, not the cable itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TOSLINK the same as optical audio?
Yes. TOSLINK is the most common type of optical digital audio cable.
Does a TOSLINK cable improve sound quality?
TOSLINK transmits digital audio data. As long as the signal is transmitted without errors, sound quality is determined primarily by the receiving DAC.
Can TOSLINK carry surround sound?
Yes. It supports Dolby Digital and DTS formats, but not newer high-bandwidth lossless formats.
In simple terms
A TOSLINK cable is an optical cable that sends digital audio as pulses of light between audio components.