{"product_id":"audioquest-pearl-fiber-optic-digital-cable","title":"AudioQuest Pearl Fiber Optic Digital Cable","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"max-width:720px;margin:0 auto;padding:32px 24px 48px 24px;background:#ffffff;\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:0 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003ePearl Is the Entry Point to AudioQuest's Optical Range\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eA fiber optic cable carries sound as pulses of light, not electricity, so it can't pick up the electrical or radio-frequency noise a copper cable can. What still matters is fiber quality and how cleanly the ends are polished.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eAudioQuest's Pearl is the first rung of its optical cable line, built around a specially optimized low-dispersion fiber conductor, and it is the only AudioQuest optical tier sold both as a full-size Toslink cable and as a dedicated 3.5mm Mini-Toslink cable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eLow-Dispersion Fiber Conductor\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eAudioQuest says dispersed light still gets through a fiber, but only after taking a longer path and arriving late, like a pool ball bouncing off the side rails, and that delay prevents the receiving device from decoding the signal properly. Pearl's specially optimized low-dispersion fiber is built to enhance fidelity by reducing that delayed light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eFinely Polished, Low-Jitter Interface\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eEvery AudioQuest optical tier, Pearl included, carries a finely polished optical interface and is built for low jitter at the connection. The Mini-Toslink version of Pearl adds a PVC jacket, which AudioQuest says protects the interior cable and components from dust, moisture and breakages, the only AudioQuest optical tier whose page names a jacket material at all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eThe Connectors, Explained\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003ePearl ships in two forms: a full-size Toslink cable with a square plug on each end, and a 3.5mm Mini-Toslink cable with a mini plug on one end for a laptop or compact source and a full-size Toslink plug on the other for your receiver or DAC.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWho Is This Fiber Optic Cable Best For?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;padding-left:1.4em;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou are upgrading from the cable that came in the box\u003c\/strong\u003e — Pearl is AudioQuest's entry point, built around its low-dispersion fiber conductor at the lowest price in the range\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYour source has a full-size Toslink optical port\u003c\/strong\u003e — the standard Pearl cable is built for that connector\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYour source has a 3.5mm mini-optical port instead, common on laptops\u003c\/strong\u003e — Pearl is the only AudioQuest tier that comes in a dedicated Mini-Toslink version for that jack\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou want the low-jitter, finely polished interface every AudioQuest optical tier carries\u003c\/strong\u003e — that construction standard starts here, at Pearl\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYour only digital connection is coaxial, HDMI or USB rather than optical\u003c\/strong\u003e — \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/digital-cables\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003ea coaxial digital cable\u003c\/a\u003e or the matching cable type is what you need instead\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eHow Does It Connect to Your System?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003ePlug the square Toslink end into the OPTICAL OUT port on your source and the matching square plug into the OPTICAL IN port on your receiver or DAC. If your source has a 3.5mm mini-optical jack instead of a full-size port, common on laptops and some streamers, order the 3.5mm Mini-Toslink version of this same cable instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThen power up the system as usual. Other and longer lengths available. Call for prices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003ePairs Well With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eAn optical cable is one link between a source and a receiver, DAC or soundbar. It usually joins these categories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;padding-left:1.4em;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/digital-to-analog-converters\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eDigital-to-Analog Converters\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e — the most common destination for an optical signal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/cd-players-and-transports\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eCD Players and Transports\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e — a common optical source for a receiver or DAC\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/home-theater-receivers\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eHome Theater Receivers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e — the usual optical input for a TV or soundbar feed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/music-streamers\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eMusic Streamers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e — a source component that often carries an optical output\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhat is a Mini Adaptor, and do I need one?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eIt is a small plug that lets a full-size Toslink cable also fit a 3.5mm mini-optical jack. Pearl is the only AudioQuest tier sold as a dedicated Mini-Toslink cable instead of a bundled adaptor; Forest, Cinnamon, Carbon and Vodka all ship the adaptor in the box rather than a separate cable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhy does fiber quality matter in an optical cable?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eAudioQuest explains it this way: dispersed light does get through a Toslink cable, but only after taking a longer path, arriving late, like a pool ball bouncing off the rails. That delayed light prevents the receiving device from decoding the signal properly. Less dispersion in the fiber means less distortion in the final analog sound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eIs this a glass or plastic fiber?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eIt's plastic optical fiber, not glass. Every maker in this category describes it the same way: unlike glass, it will not microscopically fracture when the cable is bent or flexed, which is what lets these cables route through tight spots without breaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eDoes an optical cable carry any electrical signal at all?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eLight travels down the fiber core with no electrical current on the cable itself, which is exactly why it can't pick up hum, ground loops or radio-frequency noise the way a copper interconnect can. The signal is decoded back to an electrical one only inside your components.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eIs there a step up?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/audioquest-forest-toslink-fiber-optic-digital-cable-mini-adaptor-0-75-meter\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eAudioQuest Forest\u003c\/a\u003e is the next rung. It moves to a high-purity fiber conductor and adds solid .5% silver conductors, and it ships with a Mini Adaptor in the box.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhy Audio Advisor?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;padding-left:1.4em;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e40+ Years of Expertise — Since 1981, we've helped over a million music lovers find the right gear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e60-Day Money-Back Guarantee — Take your time. Listen, enjoy, and make sure it's right for you.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReal Experts, Real Help — Our team is here to answer your questions at 800-942-0220, weekdays 9am–6pm EST.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFree Shipping — On orders over $49, delivered to your door.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlexible Payment Options — Financing available so you can start listening now.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eLearn More\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eWant to learn more about fiber optic cables, digital audio, or system setup? Visit our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/learningcenter.audioadvisor.com\/\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eLearning Center\u003c\/a\u003e for guides, tips, and expert advice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Audio Advisor","offers":[{"title":"0.75 Meter \/ New","offer_id":47238721732781,"sku":"NEW-AQOPPEA-0.75","price":39.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"0.75 Meter \/ Open Box","offer_id":47249353310381,"sku":"OPEN-AQOPPEA-0.75","price":27.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"1.5 Meter \/ New","offer_id":47238405980333,"sku":"NEW-AQOPPEA-1.5","price":49.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3.0 Meter \/ New","offer_id":45981807050925,"sku":"NEW-AQOPPEA-3","price":69.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3.0 Meter \/ Open Box","offer_id":50519351328941,"sku":"OPEN-AQOPPEA-3","price":53.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"5.0 Meter \/ New","offer_id":45982018994349,"sku":"NEW-AQOPPEA-5","price":99.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"8.0 Meter \/ New","offer_id":45981160636589,"sku":"NEW-AQOPPEA-8","price":139.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/AQOPPEA_01_2024__62395.1758287468.1280.1280.jpg?v=1778135382","url":"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/audioquest-pearl-fiber-optic-digital-cable","provider":"Audio Advisor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}