Rocketfish Digital Optical Audio Cable

Everything You Need To Know Before Purchasing Your Digital Audio Cable

A Rocketfish Digital Optical Audio Cable is an essential accessory for anyone looking to connect digital audio devices and get the highest quality sound. This buying guide covers everything you need to know before purchasing a Rocketfish digital optical audio cable for your home stereo, gaming setup, or home theater.

What Exactly is a Rocketfish Digital Optical Audio Cable?

A digital optical audio cable, sometimes called a TOSLINK cable, uses light to transmit digital audio signals between devices. The Rocketfish digital optical cables have an optical fiber core, surrounded by a plastic cladding and protective jacket.

The cable has a characteristic orange tip on the connectors, making them easily identifiable. The optical signal is immune to electrical interference, unlike analog copper cables. This allows pristine digital audio quality to be transmitted between devices without picking up electromagnetic interference that can degrade analog signals.

The Rocketfish digital optical audio cable is designed specifically to handle the high bandwidth requirements of uncompressed, lossless audio formats. This includes Dolby Digital, DTS, LPCM, and more. The digital signal does not deteriorate over longer cable runs like analog signals.

How Do You Use a Rocketfish Digital Optical Audio Cable?

Using a Rocketfish digital optical audio cable is very straightforward:

• Connect one end to the optical digital output of your audio source device – this may be a Blu-ray/DVD player, gaming console, TV, or audio receiver/ amplifier. Make sure the connector clicks into place.
• Connect the other end into the optical digital input of your audio playback device – such as powered speakers, a soundbar, receiver, or amplifier that accepts TOSLINK input.
• Set the devices to use the optical input/output for audio signal transmission. Some devices do this automatically, while others need to be set manually. Consult device manuals if needed.
• Send audio signals from the source device and enjoy pristine lossless audio quality. The optical cable now handles all digital audio data transmission between components.

That’s all there is to it! The intuitive orange connectors make setting up digital audio with the Rocketfish cable hassle-free.

Where Can I Buy a Rocketfish Digital Optical Audio Cable?

Rocketfish cables can be purchased from most major electronics retailers. Here are some of the best places to buy:

• Best Buy – As a Best Buy brand, Rocketfish cables can be found at all Best Buy locations and the BestBuy.com website. They frequently have sales on Rocketfish products.
• Amazon – Amazon carries the full range of Rocketfish digital optical cables, often at competitive pricing. Amazon Prime members get fast free shipping.
• Walmart – Many local Walmart stores have Rocketfish cables in stock. The Walmart.com website also carries a wide selection.
• Rocketfish.com – Purchase cables direct from Rocketfish’s official website. Good for hard to find or recently released cable models.
• eBay – Find new and used Rocketfish cables for sale from eBay sellers. Prices are reasonable and products are often in unopened condition.

For the best price and selection, check multiple retailers as prices can vary. Reputable stores ensure you get authentic Rocketfish branded cables. Avoid no-name knock-offs from untrusted sellers.

Why Choose a Rocketfish Digital Optical Audio Cable?

Here are the key benefits that make Rocketfish the top choice for digital optical audio cables:

• Outstanding Audio Quality – The cables transmit pristine lossless digital audio without signal degradation. You hear exactly what was recorded or encoded.
• Durable Construction – Built from quality materials like flexible PVC, polished metal, and optical fiber to prevent damage while handling.
• Precision Molded Connectors – Orange tipped connectors securely click into ports. Precision molded tips align perfectly with optical ports.
• Variety of Lengths – Available in multiple lengths like 3ft, 6ft, 15ft to connect devices in any setup. Long cables don’t affect digital transmission.
• Affordable Price – Offer high performance and reliability at a budget-friendly price point compared to premium audiophile cables.
• Trusted Brand – Rocketfish is a leading Best Buy electronics brand known for quality cables and accessories.

For flawless digital audio transmission from any source to speakers, Rocketfish cables are a smart choice with great value.

Key Features of the Rocketfish Digital Optical Audio Cable

Here are some of the stand-out features that make Rocketfish cables the top choice for home audio setups:

• Optical Fiber Core – Carries the digital audio signal through light for crystal clear sound without electromagnetic interference.
• Precision Molded Connectors – Ensure a tight click-in fit into optical ports with perfectly angled tips. Makes setup easy.
• Flexible PVC Jacket – The cable jacket is extremely flexible for running through tight spaces but still durable.
• Polished Metal Housing – The attractive metal connector housing provides rigidity and protects the inner fiber.
• Color Coded Orange Tips – The orange optical connector tips clearly identify the cable as digital optical rather than analog.
• Variety of Lengths – Choose the perfect cable length for your specific device setup from 3 feet up to 15 feet.
• Bandwidth up to 125Mbit/s – Provides more than enough bandwidth for uncompressed surround sound formats.
• Plug and Play Connectivity – No special adapters needed, just plug directly into optical ports.

With these features, Rocketfish digital optical cables provide robust performance in an affordably priced package.

Is the Rocketfish Digital Optical Audio Cable Compatible With My Devices?

The great thing about TOSLINK digital optical is that it’s an industry-standard connection type. This means the Rocketfish cables are compatible with virtually any device that has a digital optical input or output port.

Here are some examples of compatible devices:

• Blu-ray and DVD players
• Gaming consoles like PS3, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch
• Televisions with optical audio outputs
• Surround sound receivers from brands like Sony, Yamaha, Onkyo, Denon, etc.
• AV receivers and home theater in a box systems
• Soundbars with optical input
• DACs (digital-to-analog converters)
• Computers and laptops with optical output
• Streaming media players like Roku and Apple TV
• And many more…

The Rocketfish cable will slot right into the optical ports on any of these devices for crystal clear digital sound. The only requirement is an orange, square shaped TOSLINK optical port. As long as your device has this, then the Rocketfish cable will interface correctly.

Step-By-Step Setup Guide For the Rocketfish Digital Optical Audio Cable

Hooking up your new Rocketfish digital optical audio cable is quick and straightforward. Follow these steps:

1. Identify the optical output port on your audio source device. This may be labeled “OPTICAL”, “DIGITAL AUDIO OUT”, “TOSLINK” or similar. It will have an orange square shaped port. Common sources include TVs, streaming boxes, games consoles, DVD/Blu-ray players.

2. Connect one end of the Rocketfish optical cable into this output port. Line up the molded connector tip and gently insert into the port until it clicks securely into place.

3. Find the optical input port on your playback device. This is commonly a surround sound receiver, powered speakers, soundbar, or DAC. Again, look for the orange OPTICAL or TOSLINK port.

4. Plug the other end of the Rocketfish cable into this optical input port. Make sure it clicks into place securely.

5. Set your devices to use the optical connection for audio. On some devices this will happen automatically. Others you may need to manually select the optical input in a settings menu.

6. Power on both devices and start playing audio from the source. This may be playing a Blu-ray disc or streaming video from a Roku player as examples.

7. Enjoy flawless digital audio! You should now have pristine lossless audio transmitting between the source and playback device over the new Rocketfish optical cable.

It’s that simple! The optical cable now handles all digital audio signals between your components. This allows you to take full advantage of Dolby and DTS surround sound from sources.

Available Lengths For Rocketfish Digital Optical Cables

Rocketfish digital optical cables are available in different lengths to suit any home audio setup:

• 3 foot cable – Ideal for shorter connections between components in close proximity. Provides plenty of length for rear panel connections while minimizing excess cable.
• 6 foot cable – The most popular length, providing enough cable to comfortably connect components on nearby shelves or stacked components. Prevents excessive coiling.
• 10 foot cable – Provides extended reach between components like wall-mounted TVs to A/V cabinets and receivers. Prevents pulled connections.
• 15 foot cable – Extra long cable for running between components in different corners of a room that are up to 15 feet apart.
• Cable Extenders – Special couplers that optically link two cables for extending past 15 feet. Can achieve any custom extended length.

I recommend measuring the distance between your audio devices to choose the closest cable length. Avoid excessive coiling and taut connections. Leaving a service loop of several inches extra cable can prevent pulled connections.

For most homes, the 6 foot cable offers the best balance of length for general purpose room-to-room connections. But evaluate your specific device setup and room layout to decide the ideal length. Having options like 3 feet up to 15 feet makes it easy to buy the perfect Rocketfish optical cable length for your needs.

Are There Different Models of Rocketfish Digital Optical Cables?

Rocketfish has kept their digital optical cable lineup simple – there are no sub-models or variations. All of their optical cables have the same technical specifications and high quality construction.

The only decision is choosing your preferred length. This includes:

• 3 foot
• 6 foot (most popular general length)
• 10 foot
• 15 foot

With no premium/budget sub-models, you can be confident you’re getting the best quality with every Rocketfish digital optical cable, regardless of length. And no fancy ultra-expensive audiophile models either.

So you just need to choose the length that best fits your specific home audio or home theater setup. Avoid choosing a length longer than necessary, as excess coiling can potentially cause interference.

Troubleshooting Rocketfish Digital Optical Audio Cables

In most cases, Rocketfish digital optical cables will provide error-free operation for years. But issues can occasionally arise with any cable. Here are some troubleshooting tips:

No Sound:

• Check connections at both ends and make sure plugs are fully inserted into optical ports.
• Try disconnecting and reconnecting the cable at both ends.
• Verify cables are connected to the correct optical input/output ports on each device.
• Make sure your audio device settings are configured to use the optical input/output for sound.
• Test the optical port on the source device with a different known working cable to isolate issues.

Intermittent Sound Dropouts:

• Rule out sources like weak WiFi signals, streaming buffering, and disc read errors first.
• Try adjusting the cable positioning in case bending is temporarily losening the optical connection.
• Look for damage, kinks, or sharp bends in the optical cable. Excessive bending can disrupt the internal fiber.
• Replace with a shorter cable if coiling is causing stress and intermittent disconnects.
• Test with an alternate port and cable to isolate the issues.

If problems persist after troubleshooting, contact Rocketfish support for additional assistance and warranty help before replacing the cable.

How Durable Is The Rocketfish Digital Optical Audio Cable?

Rocketfish has engineered their digital optical cables to be quite durable for years of use:

• The flexible PVC jacket protects the internal fiber from shock, bending, and abrasions.
• The polished metal housing on the molded connectors prevents the fiber tips from damage.
• The optical fiber core is made from high purity polymer to resist cracks or breaks under stress.
• The precision molded tips snap securely into ports and avoid detachment.
• Stress relievers prevent the fiber from being bent too tightly at connection points.
• Gold plated metal contacts maintain corrosion free connections.

When handled reasonably and coiled loosely, the Rocketfish cable should provide many years of flawless optical digital audio transmission. Avoid tight bends,hard impacts, and pulling on the connections.

Overall the construction is very durable for regular home audio use. The cables strike a nice balance between flexibility and resilience.

Using The Rocketfish Digital Optical Cable for Surround Sound

The Rocketfish digital optical audio cable is an ideal choice for implementing multi-channel surround sound in your home theater.

Here’s how to hook it up:

• Connect your Blu-ray/DVD player, cable box, or games console optical output to an optical input on your AV receiver or surround processor.
• Connect your receiver/processor optical output to the optical input on your TV.

This allows the lossless Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound tracks from your media to pass through your receiver and onto your TV speakers or surround system.

The optical cable has enough bandwidth to handle uncompressed 5.1 and 7.1 channels surround sound without any quality loss. The length options allow flexibility for room layouts.

Unlike HDMI, the optical signal transmission won’t be impacted by cable length. A 15ft optical cable performs just as well as a 3ft version for surround applications.

The all-digital path prevents noise and interference between components. This allows realizing the full surround sound experience on your home theater.

What’s The Cost of Rocketfish Digital Optical Audio Cables?

Rocketfish digital optical cables provide tremendous value, offering robust construction and outstanding audio performance. Here are typical MSRP prices:

• 3 foot cable – $12.99
• 6 foot cable – $14.99
• 10 foot cable – $17.99
• 15 foot cable – $19.99

However, Rocketfish cables frequently go on sale for even lower prices:

• The popular 6 foot cable can be found for just $8-$12 on many occasions.
• The 3 foot and 10 foot cables often sell for $10-$15.
• Even the extra long 15 foot cable drops to around $15 on sale.

When shopping, check retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart for the latest sale prices to grab the best deals.

At these price points, Rocketfish digital optical cables offer outstanding value compared to premium audiophile cables costing hundreds. Yet they deliver pristine lossless audio identical to those high-priced options.

Rocketfish Digital Optical Cable Reviews

Thousands of customers have provided overwhelmingly positive reviews for Rocketfish digital optical audio cables:

• 4.5 out of 5 stars averaged across major retailers.
• Praise for easy installation with intuitive orange connectors that “click right into place”.
• Users note crisp clear audio free of interference or loss compared to analog cables.
• Great optical cable value with audio performance rivaling expensive brands.
• Positive feedback on the durable construction and flexibility.
• Reliable transmission even over long cable runs. No signal degredation compared to copper cables.
• Good selection of different length options to suit any setup.
• Reputable Rocketfish brand name provides confidence in the quality.

Critical reviews are very rare, mainly involving receiving defective cables. Overall Rocketfish digital optical cables deliver outstanding audio for home theaters and hi-fi systems at affordable pricing.

What Materials Are Used in Rocketfish Digital Optical Cables?

Rocketfish digital optical cables utilize high quality materials for signal reliability and rugged durability:

• The optical fiber core uses polymer plastic optical fiber. This carries the digital light signals through the cable.
• The fiber has a thin plastic cladding layer to confine light within the core.
• A flexible PVC outer jacket protects the inner fiber and prevents kinking or damage.
• Polished metal connector housing made from durable aluminum or zinc alloys. Provides stiffness.
• Gold plated metal contacts maintain corrosion free connections inside the ports.
• Molded precision tipped connectors made from plastic polymers snap securely into optical ports.
• Internal aramid fiber strain relief prevents tight bending and breakage at connection points.
• Flexible internal jacketing on the fiber further prevents tight bends.

By combining these materials, Rocketfish cables achieve great optical signal transmission and ruggedness. The quality ensures long product lifetime while delivering crystal clear audio.

How Rocketfish Digital Optical Cables Compare to Other Brands

Here is how Rocketfish digital optical cables stack up against competitors:

• Deliver equal audio performance as more costly audiophile cables from brands like AudioQuest.
• Similar tight molded connector tips and snug port connections as premium cables.
• Includes handy cable length options missing from cheaper generic cables.
• Much better durability than flexible yet fragile generic optical cables.
• Far lower cost than overpriced Monster brand audio cables with no benefit.
• Packaged better and easier to identify than most generic optical cables.
• Backed by BestBuy’s Rocketfish brand reputation unlike no-name cable brands.

Overall, Rocketfish offers a superior combination of outstanding audio performance, durable construction, handy length options, and affordable pricing.

You get superb quality without paying a premium just for fancy branding. And far better than generic optical cables in terms of features and reliability.

Potential Issues To Be Aware Of With Rocketfish Cables

While Rocketfish digital optical cables are generally highly reliable, be aware of a few potential issues:

• Cheaper generic optical cables may have fragile fiber inside that cracks easily if kinked or bent tightly. The Rocketfish fiber is more flexible and durable.
• Avoid pressure or sharp bends on the optical connectors which could damage the exposed fiber tips over time.
• Any dust or debris on the fiber tip ends can impact optical signal transmission. Use compressed air to clean if needed.
• Cheap plastic jacket materials can become brittle over time on generic cables. The Rocketfish jacket remains flexible.
• For runs over 15 feet, use optical couplers instead of coiling excess cable. Tight coils can potentially interfere with the optical signal.
• In rare cases of defects, audio may cut out entirely. First try reseating connections before replacing the cable.

For best results, handle the Rocketfish cable reasonably and avoid tight bends. This will ensure flawless optical digital audio transmission.

How to Clean Rocketfish Digital Optical Audio Cables

Proper cleaning is important for maintaining optimal audio signal transmission through your Rocketfish digital optical cable. Here are some tips:

• Use a soft lint-free cloth to wipe down the plastic connector housing and outer jacket periodically.
• Check the optical connector ends and use compressed air to blow out any dust or debris. Avoid using liquids.
• If the optical ports on your gear are dusty, use compressed air and a soft brush to dislodge and remove dust buildup.
• Check the polished metal connector tips for tarnish or oxidation. Use a polishing cloth designed for fiber optics to gently shine the tips.
• If the exposed optical fiber tip itself has any buildup, use a fiber optic cleaning swab dampened with alcohol to gently wipe in a twisting motion.
• After cleaning the fiber tip, use compressed air again to remove any remaining lint or swab residue.

Avoid using liquids or abrasives on the optical cable connectors to prevent damage. With occasional proper cleaning, Rocketfish digital optical cables will deliver pristine audio clarity for years.

What Makes Rocketfish Digital Optical Cables Unique?

There are a few key features that set genuine Rocketfish digital optical cables apart:

• Distinctive white box packaging clearly identifies them as Rocketfish branded cables.
• The cables have molded strain relief on the connectors to prevent tight bends.
• Only Rocketfish has the black textured jacket exterior for a unique look and feel.
• The polished metal connector housing has a particular ribbed texture design.
• Genuine Rocketfish cables are 100% PVC free, using a more eco-friendly jacket.
• The precision optical connector tips have aDEFINED angle cut for precise insertion.
• The Rocketfish name branding is right on the molded connector ends for product ID.
• They include handy cable management accessories.
• Supported by Best Buy’s in-house Rocketfish brand reputation.

When purchasing, look for these characteristics to ensure you get a genuine certified Rocketfish digital optical audio cable for optimal performance and longevity.

Warranty Information For Rocketfish Digital Optical Cables

One of the benefits of purchasing genuine Rocketfish branded cables is that they are backed by a 1-year warranty provided by Best Buy.

If any manufacturing defect occurs within 1 year of purchase, simply return the cable to your local Best Buy. Often it can be exchanged right on the spot.

You will receive either a brand new replacement Rocketfish cable or store credit. This ensures you receive a fully functional cable.

Defective products may be due to issues like DOA cables, connectors separating, or optical fiber damage under normal use. The warranty has you covered.

Just bring your original receipt as proof of purchase date. Also note any functional issues you experienced with the cable.

Rocketfish’s warranty starts from the purchase date, not manufacturing date. So be sure to buy from authorized sellers like Best Buy to get the coverage.

The warranty provides helpful peace of mind that your digital optical audio cable investment is protected for 1 year against material or manufacturing defects. Enjoy flawless lossless digital audio!