Audio T Verdict
Chord Company Shawline Digital is a serious coaxial digital interconnect for systems where a basic digital lead is beginning to look rather out of place. It combines a proper 75-ohm design with silver-plated solid-core conductors, PTFE insulation, extensive shielding and Chord Company's Tuned ARAY technology.
An important part of the Shawline design is that its signal and return conductors are treated identically and shielded, rather than simply relying on a conventional coaxial construction. Chord Company developed this arrangement specifically to combat the high-frequency interference that can affect digital audio connections.
Audio T offers RCA, BNC and mixed RCA-to-BNC configurations, so Shawline can connect a wide range of CD transports, streamers and digital sources to compatible DACs and amplifiers.
It also sits in a particularly useful part of the Chord Company range: considerably more ambitious than an entry-level digital cable without immediately stepping into the price territory of Epic, Signature or Sarum T.
Chord Company Shawline Digital Tuned ARAY Interconnect
Shawline Digital is a specialist 75-ohm S/PDIF digital audio interconnect, hand built in the UK and available with RCA and BNC connector combinations.
It is designed for digital connections between compatible equipment such as:
- CD transports
- CD players with digital outputs
- Music streamers
- Network transports
- Digital audio players
- DACs
- Digital pre-amplifiers
- Compatible integrated amplifiers and receivers
Current Audio T Options
Audio T currently offers Shawline Digital in:
- RCA to RCA - 0.5m
- RCA to RCA - 1m
- RCA to BNC - 1m
- BNC to BNC - 1m
Chord Company's standard lengths are 0.5m and 1m, with custom lengths available to order.
RCA or BNC?
Choose the connector combination that matches the coaxial digital sockets on the two components.
If your source has an RCA digital output and your DAC has a BNC input, choose RCA to BNC. If both products use RCA or both use BNC, choose the corresponding matching version.
If you are unsure, give Audio T the make and model of both components and we can check the connection for you.
75-Ohm Digital Construction
Shawline Digital is designed as a:
75-ohm digital audio interconnect.
This matches the nominal characteristic impedance used by conventional coaxial S/PDIF digital audio connections.
Silver-Plated Solid-Core OFC Conductors
Chord Company specifies:
75-ohm silver-plated solid-core oxygen-free copper conductors.
The solid-core construction is used for the high-speed digital connection rather than the multi-stranded conductors found in many conventional analogue cables.
Identical Signal and Return Conductors
A particularly important feature of Shawline Digital is its use of:
Identical signal and return conductors.
Chord Company applies the same fundamental conductor approach to both sides of the digital connection rather than treating the return path as a secondary part of the design.
Individually Shielded Signal and Return
The signal and return conductors are also:
Shielded.
Chord Company combines this arrangement with Tuned ARAY technology specifically to address unwanted high-frequency interference around the digital connection.
Tuned ARAY Technology
Shawline Digital uses Chord Company's proprietary:
Tuned ARAY conductor technology.
ARAY technology originated in Chord Company's higher-end cable development and has subsequently been incorporated into a wider range of analogue and digital products.
The Tuned ARAY implementation in Shawline Digital forms part of the cable's conductor and shielding architecture rather than being an external filter or electronic circuit.
Passive Cable - No Electronics Required
Shawline Digital is a passive cable.
Its Tuned ARAY technology is incorporated within the cable construction and requires no separate power supply, battery or external processing.
PTFE Dielectric
The conductors use:
PTFE insulation.
PTFE acts as the dielectric surrounding the digital conductors and forms part of the controlled 75-ohm construction.
High-Density Shielding
Chord Company specifies:
High-density braid shielding.
The shielding is designed to reduce the influence of high-frequency electrical interference surrounding the cable.
Why Shield a Digital Cable?
A modern digital source often operates alongside a significant amount of high-frequency electronics, including:
- Network switches
- Routers
- Computers
- Music servers
- DACs
- Wireless devices
- Switch-mode power supplies
- Televisions and displays
Shawline Digital's shielding architecture is designed to reduce unwanted interaction between this electrical environment and the digital audio connection.
Damping Dual-Layer Outer Jacket
The internal cable construction is protected by a:
Damping dual-layer outer jacket.
This provides physical protection and additional mechanical damping around the digital conductors and shielding.
ChorAlloy-Plated Connectors
Current Shawline Digital cables use:
Chord Company ChorAlloy-plated RCA and BNC connectors.
This is the current connector specification and supersedes older descriptions of Shawline Digital that refer to silver-plated RCA or BNC plugs.
Current Connector Specification
Older Shawline Digital literature may mention silver-plated connectors.
The current Chord Company version uses ChorAlloy-plated RCA and BNC connectors.
RCA to RCA Digital
The RCA-to-RCA version is suitable where both source and receiving component use conventional RCA coaxial digital connections.
This is commonly found between:
- CD transport and DAC
- Streamer and DAC
- CD player and digital amplifier
- Network transport and DAC
BNC to BNC Digital
The BNC-to-BNC version is suitable for components equipped with BNC S/PDIF sockets at both ends.
BNC connections are frequently found on specialist digital audio equipment and some high-performance DACs, transports and digital interfaces.
RCA to BNC Digital
The mixed RCA-to-BNC version is useful when one component provides an RCA coaxial connection and the other provides BNC.
Using the correctly terminated cable avoids adding a separate RCA-to-BNC adaptor into the connection.
Check That the Socket Is Digital
An RCA socket can carry either analogue or digital audio depending on the equipment.
Shawline Digital is intended for coaxial S/PDIF digital connections. Do not connect it to a conventional left or right analogue RCA input simply because the plug physically fits.
Digital RCA Is Not an Analogue RCA Interconnect
Both types of cable may use an RCA connector, but they perform different jobs.
Shawline Digital
- Single coaxial digital connection
- 75-ohm characteristic impedance
- Carries S/PDIF digital audio
- Usually one cable per digital connection
- RCA and BNC options
Shawline Analogue
- Carries analogue audio
- Normally separate left and right channels
- Different internal cable construction
- RCA, DIN and XLR configurations available
- Not specified as a 75-ohm S/PDIF cable
Ideal for CD Transports
A CD transport reads the disc but relies on an external DAC to convert the digital data into analogue audio.
Where the transport and DAC provide compatible coaxial S/PDIF connections, Shawline Digital can provide the connection between them.
Suitable for CD Players with Digital Outputs
Many conventional CD players also provide coaxial digital outputs alongside their analogue connections.
This allows the player's transport section to feed an external DAC or compatible digital amplifier.
Suitable for Music Streamers
Many music streamers provide a coaxial S/PDIF output for connection to an external DAC.
Shawline Digital can be used where the connection is RCA, BNC or a suitable combination of the two.
Suitable for DACs
Shawline Digital is designed to feed the coaxial S/PDIF input of a compatible digital-to-analogue converter.
The required connector depends on the DAC itself, so check whether the input is RCA or BNC before ordering.
Not a USB Cable
Shawline Digital should not be confused with Chord Company's Shawline USB.
The two cables use completely different connection standards and internal constructions.
Use Shawline Digital for coaxial S/PDIF and Shawline USB for compatible USB audio connections.
Not an Optical Cable
Shawline Digital is an electrical coaxial connection rather than an optical TOSLINK cable.
If your equipment only provides an optical digital connection, a suitable optical cable such as Chord Company's C-lite is required instead.
Hand Built in the UK
Shawline Digital is:
Hand built in the UK.
Chord Company also tests its cables at its Wiltshire facility before they leave production.
0.5m or 1m?
For RCA-to-RCA connections, Audio T currently offers both 0.5m and 1m.
Choose the shortest length that comfortably reaches between the two components without pulling tightly on either socket.
If the equipment sits directly above or below one another, 0.5m may be sufficient. A 1m cable provides considerably more freedom around a normal equipment rack.
Avoid Pulling on Digital Sockets
Allow enough cable length for the interconnect to form a natural curve behind the equipment.
A cable stretched tightly between components can put unnecessary mechanical strain on the RCA or BNC socket.
Custom Lengths
Chord Company can manufacture:
Custom Shawline Digital lengths to order.
If the standard 0.5m and 1m lengths do not suit the installation, contact Audio T with the required connection and approximate length.
Shawline Digital Versus Clearway Digital
Clearway Digital sits below Shawline and shares several important Chord Company technologies, including 75-ohm silver-plated solid-core OFC conductors, PTFE insulation and Tuned ARAY geometry.
Shawline Digital develops the construction around its identically shielded signal and return conductor arrangement.
Clearway Digital
- 75-ohm digital construction
- Silver-plated solid-core OFC
- PTFE dielectric
- Tuned ARAY geometry
- High-density braid
- ChorAlloy connectors
- RCA, BNC and mini-jack options
Shawline Digital
- 75-ohm digital construction
- Silver-plated solid-core OFC
- PTFE dielectric
- Tuned ARAY technology
- Identically shielded signal and return
- High-density shielding
- ChorAlloy RCA and BNC connectors
Compare Chord Company Clearway Digital at Audio T.
Shawline Digital Versus Epic Digital
Epic Digital is the next major step further up Chord Company's conventional coaxial digital range.
Epic retains Tuned ARAY technology, silver-plated solid-core OFC conductors and PTFE insulation, but Chord Company defines the Epic range by heavier-gauge conductors and an increased volume of shielding.
Shawline Digital
- Tuned ARAY technology
- 75-ohm silver-plated solid-core OFC
- PTFE dielectric
- High-density shielding
- ChorAlloy RCA and BNC connectors
- 0.5m and 1m standard lengths
Epic Digital
- Tuned ARAY technology
- Two 75-ohm silver-plated solid-core OFC conductors
- PTFE insulation
- Higher-level Epic shielding construction
- ChorAlloy RCA and BNC connectors
- 1m standard length
Compare Chord Company Epic Digital at Audio T.
Reviewed by Hi-Fi Choice in 2026
Shawline Digital remains an active part of Chord Company's current range and was reviewed again by Hi-Fi Choice in March 2026.
The review reinforces that Shawline Digital is very much a current product rather than a legacy cable that has simply remained in dealer stock.
Key Features
- Chord Company Shawline Digital
- Tuned ARAY technology
- 75-ohm digital audio design
- Silver-plated solid-core OFC conductors
- Identical signal and return conductors
- Shielded signal and return arrangement
- PTFE dielectric
- High-density shielding
- Damping dual-layer outer jacket
- ChorAlloy-plated connectors
- RCA connection available
- BNC connection available
- RCA-to-BNC configuration available
- 0.5m RCA-to-RCA Audio T option
- 1m RCA-to-RCA Audio T option
- 1m RCA-to-BNC Audio T option
- 1m BNC-to-BNC Audio T option
- Custom lengths available
- Suitable for CD transports
- Suitable for music streamers
- Suitable for DACs
- Suitable for compatible digital amplifiers
- Coaxial S/PDIF connection
- Hand built in the UK
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chord Company Shawline Digital?
Shawline Digital is a 75-ohm coaxial S/PDIF digital audio interconnect using silver-plated solid-core OFC conductors, PTFE insulation and Chord Company's Tuned ARAY technology.
What Audio T options are available?
Audio T currently offers 0.5m RCA-to-RCA, 1m RCA-to-RCA, 1m RCA-to-BNC and 1m BNC-to-BNC versions.
Is Shawline Digital a 75-ohm cable?
Yes. Chord Company specifies a 75-ohm digital construction.
What conductor material does it use?
Silver-plated solid-core oxygen-free copper.
What insulation does Shawline Digital use?
PTFE dielectric insulation.
What is Tuned ARAY?
Tuned ARAY is Chord Company's proprietary conductor technology developed to control unwanted high-frequency behaviour within cable connections.
Is Shawline Digital shielded?
Yes. Chord Company uses identically shielded signal and return conductors together with high-density shielding.
What connector plating does the current version use?
Current Shawline Digital cables use ChorAlloy-plated RCA and BNC connectors.
Can I connect a CD transport to a DAC?
Yes, provided both products offer compatible coaxial S/PDIF connections.
Can I use Shawline Digital with a streamer?
Yes, where the streamer provides a compatible coaxial digital output.
Can I use it with a DAC?
Yes, where the DAC provides an RCA or BNC coaxial S/PDIF input.
What is RCA to BNC for?
It connects a component with an RCA coaxial digital socket to another component with a BNC digital socket without requiring a separate adaptor.
Is an RCA digital socket the same as an analogue RCA socket?
No. Although the physical connector can look identical, coaxial digital and analogue RCA connections carry different signals and require the appropriate cable.
Can Shawline Digital be used as a normal stereo RCA interconnect?
It is designed specifically as a coaxial digital cable. For conventional left and right analogue audio, use a suitable Chord Company analogue interconnect.
Is Shawline Digital a USB cable?
No. Shawline USB is a separate product designed for USB audio.
Is Shawline Digital optical?
No. It is an electrical coaxial digital cable using RCA and/or BNC connectors.
What is the difference between Clearway Digital and Shawline Digital?
Both use 75-ohm silver-plated solid-core OFC conductors, PTFE insulation and Tuned ARAY technology. Shawline Digital uses its more sophisticated identically shielded signal and return conductor arrangement.
What is above Shawline Digital?
Epic Digital provides the next major step in Chord Company's coaxial digital range, with heavier-gauge conductors and increased shielding.
Can I order a custom length?
Yes. Chord Company supports custom Shawline Digital lengths to order.
Is Shawline Digital still current?
Yes. It remains part of Chord Company's current Shawline range and was reviewed by Hi-Fi Choice again in March 2026.
Can Audio T help me choose RCA or BNC?
Yes. Give us the make and model of the source and receiving component and we can check which connector combination is required.
Related Chord Company Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Help choosing RCA, BNC or mixed termination
- Digital source and DAC compatibility advice
- CD transport setup guidance
- Streamer and external DAC advice
- Clearway, Shawline and Epic Digital comparison guidance
- Custom length enquiries
- Complete Chord Company cable advice
- In-store demonstrations where appropriate
- Home demonstrations where appropriate
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store if you would like help choosing the correct Shawline Digital configuration or comparing it with Clearway Digital and Epic Digital in your system.