Audio T Verdict
Chord Company C-digital is the entry point into the company's dedicated coaxial digital interconnect range, designed to connect compatible digital source equipment to a DAC, amplifier or other component equipped with an RCA coaxial digital input.
Although it sits within Chord Company's more accessible C-series, it incorporates ARAY conductor geometry derived from technology originally developed for the company's higher-end digital cables.
The construction combines oxygen-free copper conductors with high-density over-wrapped foil shielding and Chord Company's direct gold-plated RCA connectors. The plugs use an over-moulded surround designed to provide a reliable connection without compressing the conductor at the termination point.
There are only two standard C-digital options: 0.5m and 1m, both with RCA connections at each end. That makes choosing the correct version refreshingly straightforward compared with some of Chord Company's more configurable digital interconnects.
If your source and DAC both use RCA coaxial digital connections and you want an accessible dedicated digital cable rather than a generic analogue RCA lead, C-digital is the logical starting point in the Chord Company range.
Chord Company C-digital Coaxial Digital Interconnect
Chord Company C-digital is a dedicated RCA coaxial digital audio interconnect developed for compatible digital source equipment and digital-to-analogue converters.
It uses ARAY conductor geometry, oxygen-free copper conductors, high-density foil shielding and direct gold-plated RCA plugs.
Available C-digital Options
Chord Company currently manufactures C-digital in two standard lengths, both using RCA connectors at each end:
| Audio T Option |
Connection |
Length |
| C-digital 0.5m |
RCA to RCA |
0.5 metres |
| C-digital 1m |
RCA to RCA |
1 metre |
Check Your Digital Connections
C-digital is designed for electrical coaxial digital connections using RCA sockets.
It is not an optical Toslink cable, USB cable or analogue stereo interconnect.
If your equipment uses BNC, optical, USB or another digital connector, choose an appropriate cable designed for that connection instead.
Designed for Coaxial Digital Audio
Chord Company specifically designed C-digital for components equipped with coaxial digital connections.
Typical applications can include:
- CD players with coaxial digital output
- CD transports
- Streaming devices with coaxial digital output
- DVD players with coaxial digital output
- Compatible digital source components
- DACs with RCA coaxial digital input
- Amplifiers with compatible coaxial digital inputs
Digital Source to DAC
A common application is connecting the coaxial digital output of a CD player, transport or streamer to the coaxial digital input of an external DAC.
In this arrangement, the cable carries the digital audio signal between the two components while digital-to-analogue conversion takes place in the receiving DAC.
Not an Analogue RCA Interconnect
C-digital uses RCA connectors, but it should not be confused with a conventional pair of analogue RCA interconnects.
It is a:
Dedicated single-cable coaxial digital audio interconnect.
For conventional left and right analogue audio connections, use an appropriate stereo analogue interconnect such as the Chord Company C-line.
RCA Describes the Connector, Not the Signal
RCA plugs are used for several different types of audio connection.
Before ordering, check that you are connecting an RCA coaxial digital output to an RCA coaxial digital input rather than analogue left and right audio sockets.
ARAY Conductor Geometry
Chord Company specifies:
ARAY conductor geometry.
The manufacturer states that the Tuned ARAY conductor configuration was initially developed for its higher-end digital cables before the technology was applied across more affordable ranges.
What Is ARAY?
ARAY is Chord Company's proprietary approach to conductor geometry.
With C-digital, the manufacturer has incorporated this technology into an accessible dedicated digital interconnect rather than limiting it to the company's higher-priced ranges.
Oxygen-Free Copper Conductors
Chord Company specifies:
Oxygen-free copper conductors.
Oxygen-free copper is commonly abbreviated to:
OFC.
No Unsupported Conductor Specification
Chord Company's current C-digital product information identifies the conductors as oxygen-free copper but does not publish a conductor gauge or conductor cross-sectional area.
Those figures are therefore deliberately not stated here.
High-Density Foil Shielding
C-digital uses:
High-density over-wrapped foil shielding.
The shielding forms part of the cable's dedicated digital construction.
Direct Gold-Plated RCA Plugs
Chord Company fits C-digital with its:
Direct gold-plated RCA plugs.
The contact areas are gold plated rather than relying on a generic removable adaptor or separate connection system.
Over-Moulded Plug Surround
The RCA connector uses an:
Over-moulded plug surround.
Chord Company states that this construction provides high connection reliability.
Zero Conductor Compression
The manufacturer also specifies:
Zero conductor compression.
This refers to the way the over-moulded termination is designed to avoid compressing the conductor at the plug surround.
Cable Direction
Chord Company's general installation guidance states that its cables are often directional, with direction indicated by arrows or printing on the cable or connector.
Where direction is marked, the indicator should point:
Away from the signal source.
For C-digital, that means from the digital source component towards the DAC or receiving digital input.
Example
If C-digital is connecting a CD transport to a DAC, the indicated signal direction should run from the CD transport towards the DAC.
0.5m or 1m?
Chord Company offers two standard C-digital lengths:
0.5m
Suitable where the source and receiving component are positioned close together and half a metre provides comfortable routing without placing strain on the plugs.
1m
Provides greater installation flexibility where components are positioned further apart or additional routing space is required behind the equipment rack.
Do Not Stretch a Short Cable
Choose enough length to allow the cable to reach naturally without pulling sideways on the RCA sockets or forcing an excessively tight bend.
Only RCA to RCA
Chord Company's current C-digital product specification lists:
RCA connections.
The Audio T product options therefore correctly offer only RCA-to-RCA versions.
If you require BNC or mini-jack digital connections, Chord Company offers those connector types further up its digital cable range rather than as current C-digital options.
No Published Custom Length Option
Chord Company currently specifies C-digital in:
No custom-length option is stated on the current manufacturer C-digital product page.
For this reason, Audio T should not advertise custom C-digital lengths unless Chord Company confirms a specific requirement separately.
No Published Nominal Impedance Figure
Chord Company's current C-digital product page does not publish a nominal cable impedance.
We therefore do not assign one here.
Why Isn't 75 Ohms Listed?
Coaxial digital audio connections are often associated with 75-ohm systems, and Chord Company publishes 75-ohm specifications for several other digital cables.
However, because Chord Company does not currently give a nominal impedance for C-digital itself, Audio T does not add one by assumption.
C-digital or C-lite?
C-digital
- Electrical coaxial digital connection
- RCA to RCA
- ARAY conductor geometry
- Oxygen-free copper conductors
- Foil shielding
- 0.5m and 1m
C-lite
- Optical digital connection
- Toslink and optical mini-jack configurations
- PMA optical cable
- No electrical conductor between components
- Available in a wider selection of lengths
The correct choice depends on the digital connections provided by your equipment.
Explore the Chord Company C-lite Optical Cable at Audio T.
C-digital or Clearway Digital?
Clearway Digital sits further up Chord Company's digital interconnect range and offers a more elaborate construction with additional connector choices.
Unlike C-digital, Clearway Digital is available in configurations using RCA, BNC and mini-jack connections.
Compare the Chord Company Clearway Digital Interconnect at Audio T.
Key Features
- Chord Company C-digital
- Dedicated coaxial digital audio interconnect
- RCA to RCA connection
- ARAY conductor geometry
- Tuned ARAY-derived technology
- Oxygen-free copper conductors
- High-density over-wrapped foil shielding
- Direct gold-plated RCA plugs
- Over-moulded plug surrounds
- Zero conductor compression
- Designed for coaxial digital outputs
- Suitable for compatible CD players
- Suitable for compatible streaming devices
- Suitable for compatible DVD players
- Suitable for compatible DACs
- 0.5m standard length
- 1m standard length
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chord Company C-digital?
C-digital is a dedicated RCA coaxial digital audio interconnect.
What connections does C-digital use?
RCA at both ends.
What lengths are available?
Chord Company currently specifies 0.5m and 1m.
Does Audio T offer the same lengths?
Yes. The current Audio T selector contains 0.5m and 1m RCA-to-RCA versions.
Is there a BNC version of C-digital?
Chord Company's current C-digital product page does not list a BNC option.
Is there a mini-jack version?
No mini-jack option is listed for C-digital on the current manufacturer product page.
Can I order C-digital in a custom length?
Chord Company's current product page specifies only 0.5m and 1m and does not advertise custom C-digital lengths.
What conductor material is used?
Chord Company specifies oxygen-free copper conductors.
Are the C-digital conductors silver plated?
Chord Company's current C-digital specification states oxygen-free copper conductors and does not state that they are silver plated.
What conductor geometry does it use?
Chord Company specifies ARAY conductor geometry.
Does C-digital use Tuned ARAY?
Chord Company states that the Tuned ARAY conductor configuration was originally developed for its higher-end digital cables and that this development now benefits its other ranges. Its current C-digital specification identifies the actual geometry as ARAY.
How is the cable shielded?
With high-density over-wrapped foil shielding.
What connectors are fitted?
Direct gold-plated RCA plugs.
What does zero conductor compression mean?
Chord Company uses an over-moulded plug surround designed to provide strain relief without compressing the conductor at the termination.
Is C-digital a 75-ohm cable?
Chord Company's current C-digital product specification does not publish a nominal impedance, so Audio T does not state a figure.
Can I use C-digital between a CD transport and DAC?
Yes, where the CD transport has an RCA coaxial digital output and the DAC has a compatible RCA coaxial digital input.
Can I use it with a streamer?
Yes, where the streamer provides a compatible RCA coaxial digital output.
Can I use it with a DVD player?
Yes. Chord Company specifically identifies DVD players as one of the possible applications where a coaxial digital output is provided.
Can I use C-digital as an analogue RCA interconnect?
It is designed specifically as a coaxial digital audio interconnect. For conventional stereo analogue connections, use an appropriate analogue interconnect.
Is C-digital optical?
No. For Toslink optical connections, look at an optical cable such as Chord Company C-lite.
Is C-digital a USB cable?
No. Chord Company C-USB is the corresponding C-series product for compatible USB audio connections.
Is the cable directional?
Chord Company's general installation guidance states that where cable direction is indicated, arrows or printing should point away from the signal source.
Which direction should it run between a transport and DAC?
From the transport, which is the signal source, towards the DAC.
Should I choose 0.5m or 1m?
Choose the shortest of the two that still allows comfortable installation without stretching the cable, straining the sockets or forcing excessively tight bends.
What is the next step up from C-digital?
Chord Company Clearway Digital provides a more sophisticated digital interconnect option and supports a wider range of connector configurations.
Related Chord Company Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Digital connection compatibility advice
- RCA coaxial versus optical guidance
- Digital source and DAC matching
- Advice on choosing the correct cable length
- C-digital versus Clearway Digital comparisons
- System demonstrations where available
- Home demonstrations where appropriate
- Installation and cable-routing advice
- Part-exchange options on associated hi-fi equipment
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store if you need help checking whether Chord Company C-digital is the correct digital connection for your source and DAC.