About the QED Reference Optical Quartz 1m

Product Description

Reference Optical Quartz

QED's superior Toslink Optical digital audio interconnect cable made with real glass

Reference Optical Quartz is the first of its kind, consisting of 210 separate boro-silicate glass fibres. The cable allows you to experience stunning sound when connecting DACs, TV's, CD players and Blu-Ray players to amplifiers or receivers because it has a much higher bandwidth and only 1/10th of the attenuation of traditional acrylic fibres. Reference Optical Quartz vastly exceeds the demands for high definition multi-channel digital audio with a bandwidth of over 150MHz which is totally unaffected by bending the cable.

 

FEATURES AND BENEFITS

GLASSCORE TECHNOLOGY

QED's new Glasscore™ technology employs multiple fibre bundles of ultra-fine boro-silicate glass optical fibres (GOF) of no more than 50um each to make up the 1 mm diameter necessary to conform to the Toslink standard connectors. Because the fibres are so small the different paths taken by the light rays are similar in length virtually eliminating the timing error and introducing less distortion and jitter. This has the effect of increasing bandwidth and the accuracy of the data transmission.


STEPPED REFRACTIVE INDEX

The quartz fibres are coated with a cladding of low Refractive Index to guide the light signal.

Over 150MHz BANDWIDTH

This vastly exceeds the demands for high definition multi-channel HD digital audio. In contrast to conventional acrylic glass optical cables quartz glass cables can deliver signals up to and including 24bit/192kHz with very low jitter .

Reference Optical Quartz can provide a much higher bandwidth than a single acrylic glass fibre with 1/10th of the attenuation.

ULTRA LOW JITTER / ULTRA LOW LOSS

QED have calculated that jitter (distortions caused by timing differences between the different light paths) in conventional optical cables could typically reach up to 145ps. In Reference Optical Quartz, timing errors are virtually eliminated, introducing less distortion, jitter and ultra low loss < 0.03 dB/m.


SPECIFICATIONS

Unique boro-silicate glass construction

Highly flexible 210 x 50 micron optical fibre bundle

Bandwidth >150MHz

Ultra low jitter

Stepped refractive index

Ultra low loss < 0.03 dB/m

24 & 32 bit high resolution audio compatible.

QED Lifetime Guarantee



CABLES MATTER

Digital Optical Audio cables are now used widely to connect audio source equipment such as TV's, CD players and Blu-Ray players to amplifiers or receivers. There are many advantages to using the optical output from your source equipment. The optical output provides complete electrical isolation between equipment eliminating ground loops and noise induced by large external voltages or currents. With fast digital signalling using twisted pair copper cables, problems such as near end crosstalk can cause distortion of the signal; these problems are eliminated by using the digital optical connection option.


Because of the very short distances and relatively slow data signalling speeds of the Toslink system it is possible to use very inexpensive plastic optical fibres (POF) made of an acrylic glass material known as PMMA (Polymethyl-methacrylate). These are usually 1 mm in diameter to fit the Toslink connector and of course their extra width only exacerbates the time smearing or jitter caused by the multi-modes within the fibre. Calculations have shown that a typical 1m cable with a PMMA fibre of refractive index 1.5 and a critical angle of 76 degrees has the potential to introduce jitter

of up to 145ps into the SPDIF signal. These plastic optical fibres (POF) account for virtually all commercially available Digital Optical Audio cables available today.

The alternative to this situation adopted by QED in our new Glasscore™ technology cable is to employ multiple fibre bundles of ultra-fine boro-silicate glass optical fibres (GOF) of no more than 50um each (thinner than a human hair see below) to make up the 1 mm diameter necessary to conform to the Toslink standard connectors. In the new QED Reference Optical Quartz cable there are 210 such fibres each of which guide the light along a much tighter path making the different modes much more uniform than in the larger diameter single fibres.

Because the range of angles of incidence at which the light is accepted at the aperture of the cable is smaller and the critical angle of internal reflection in the glass is larger than in POF fibres the range of different paths taken by the light is reduced. In this way short data pulses are no longer artificially elongated or smeared by the physical process of travelling along the cable.

GLASSCORE™

Each fibre is thinner than a human hair. 210 fibres of 50um each are required to make

up the 1 mm diameter necessary to conform to the Toslink standard connectors.


COMPARING TECHNOLOGIES

PMMA OPTICAL FIBRES

A typical optical fibre is made of an acrylic glass material known as PMMA (Polymethyl-methacrylate). This acrylic core allows the light to take many different length paths through it. Timing differences are introduced - accounting for typically up to 145ps of Jitter.

Signal losses also occur when light is incident above the Critical Angle and is not reflected back (Yellow).

REFERENCE OPTICAL QUARTZ

Reference Optical Quartz has in excess of 210 Glasscore™ fibres each thinner than a human hair. This ensures ultra low jitter because the smaller numerical aperture reduces the range of angles of acceptance leading to straighter signal paths.

OVERALL PERFORMANCE

Glasscore

Glasscore™ Technology

Instead of using traditional low performance polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) plastic optical fibres (POF) which come as a single 1 mm OD fibre the cable incorporates 210+ boro-silcate glass optical fibres (GOF) which give improved jitter performance and higher bandwidth capability. 24 & 32 bit high resolution audio compatible.

Ultra Low Jitter

Ultra Low Jitter

Jitter is the undesired deviation from true periodicity of an assumed periodic signal in electronics and telecommunications, often in relation to a reference clock source. A cable displaying ultra low jitter has been measured at
typically 30ps.


Shipping Information

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We use an inventory tracking system which states if item(s) are in stock and if not, what are the likely lead times.

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Our primary delivery agent is DPD. Where orders are shipped directly from Yorkshire AV, we always use DPD who offer a fabulous service at competitive rates.

If we drop ship (i.e. direct from the supplier) then the delivery agent is out of our control. It is generally DPD or UPS however - we rarely see other carriers used.

Selecting "Next Day" delivery does not mean you'll receive your item the next day in some cases. It's the next day from when the item(s) are in stock with us. If there is an urgent need then please contact a member of staff via the Live Chat or telephone (01757 826111) to check on live stock levels.

Certain product(s) are delayed in manufacturing due to semi-conductor shortages across the Globe. We'll keep you informed as to your order progress and a likely ETA once we get updates from the manufacturers.

Returns

Standard Returns 

Our returns policy lasts for 28 days for all items in our store except those defined in section (1) below.

To be eligible for a refund, your item must be unused/unopened and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging. 

If you return the item to us within 14 days of purchasing, you will be offered a full refund or exchange. If your return comes to us after 14 days of purchasing and is opened, we will refund the full amount less 20%. Unused items returned up to 28 days after purchasing will be fully refunded.

It's the responsibility of the customer to return the items at your cost. Yorkshire AV are able to arrange collection - please contact us for a quote.

You must ensure goods are shipped in their original packaging if they are damaged/not working. Manufacturers will not accept returns and Yorkshire AV can not be held responsible for any damage in transit.

Several types of goods are exempt from being returned.

(1) Examples of non-returnable items: 

  • Gift cards 
  • HiFi Racks
  • Second hand units / clearance products
  • Headphones (due to listener hygiene)
  • Custom cables
  • Special order items (items that we order in for you/were not in stock at the time of order)

To complete your return, we require a receipt or proof of purchase. 
Please do not send your purchase back to the manufacturer. 

Please complete your return via your customer account by clicking here.

There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable). Those are where:

  • Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error 
  • Any item that is returned more than 28 days after delivery 

There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable). Those are where:

  • Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error 
  • Where the item wasn't marked with an extended returns policy at the end of the checkout process

Refunds (if applicable) 

Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. We will also notify you of the approval or rejection of your refund. 

Items that have been opened will be listed on our "Clearance" section. We charge a 20% fee from the total item value which will be deducted from any refund amount applicable.

If your returns are approved, then your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within 2-3 days. Costs of shipping will be deducted from any refund amount.

Late or missing refunds (if applicable) 
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Then contact your credit card company, it may take some time before your refund is officially posted. 

Next contact your bank. There is often some processing time before a refund is posted. 

If you’ve done all of this and you still have not received your refund yet, please contact us at info@yorkshireav.co.uk. 

Sale items (if applicable) 
Only regular priced items may be refunded, unfortunately sale items/clearance products cannot be refunded. 

Exchanges (if applicable) 
We only replace items if they are defective or damaged. If you need to exchange it for the same item, send us an email at info@yorkshireav.co.uk and send your item to: Yorkshire AV LTD, Unit 6 Wood Farm, Doncaster Road, GOOLE, DN14 0JF, United Kingdom. 

Shipping 
To return your product, you should mail your product to: Yorkshire AV LTD, Unit 6 Wood Farm, Doncaster Road, GOOLE, DN14 0JF, United Kingdom 

You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund. 

Please complete your return via your customer account by clicking here.

Warranty

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For extended Warranty (should this be offered with your product), please ensure you complete the Extended Warranty registration form that was emailed to you.

Warranty claims within the warranty period are underpinned by the manufacturer. With any extended warranty claims - Yorkshire AV act as your agent to the authorised repair centre.

Shipping charges are excluded from any warranty claim. Original packaging and receipts must be provided else the claim will be rejected.

For any questions or issues - please contact us directly.

Finance

We’ve got you covered, as we have finance options available for people with varying circumstances. Yorkshire AV believes that you shouldn’t have to pinch your pockets to be able to purchase our products. You can pay in affordable monthly instalments to better suit your needs and budget.

To help you purchase from Yorkshire AV, we have partnered with Kandoo, a regulated credit broker to offer all our customers a range of highly flexible finance options. Kandoo is a comparison service that searches to find you the best Personal Loan option that’s right for you.

You can apply here - then continue your purchase from us.

FAQs

Please read our FAQs page to find out more.

Do you have a real store?

Yes! We have a store set in a quaint location with plenty of parking even for HGV's! We have a dedicated demonstration room for Headphones/portable audio, 2 channel HiFi and one of the most advanced home cinema rooms in the country.

Can I home demonstrate products?

In most cases yes. Simply contact us with your requirements and if it's on the shop floor - we can arrange a home demonstration.

Do you ship from store?

In most cases yes. We have a store front with products such as cables and smaller products physically to hand. We also have a dedicated warehouse a few minutes away with over 1200sq m of products stored. Some products are shipped direct from manufacturers - as it's not practical / cost effective to store every variant of every product. We are very efficient at stock management however.

Can I return a product?

Yes! So long as it's new/unused and in the same condition it was delivered to you, we will gladly refund you up to 14 days from purchase. Please raise a request via your Account area to start the return process.

Do you offer installation?

Absolutely - we have a dedicated, in-house team of installers who travel the UK installing lovely hifi and home cinema solutions. Contact us to discuss pricing.

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