Laurence Payne wrote:

Practically-speaking, short lengths of damp string often work.
Longer lengths need the right cable. Why would YOU say this was?

I don't profess to be an expert, but...

Summink to do with reflections and/or attenuation when the characteristic
impedance of the transmission line doesn't match the impedances of the
devices being connected.

I would imagine that long lengths of "any old piece of crap phono leed"
might be poor for digital transmission since they are often used in LF
analogue applications where the input impedance is several K ohms - the
inductance and capacitance of the cable can afford to be higher.

The characteristic impedance of damp string is highly dependent on things
like the salinity of the water used to dampen the string, as well as
environmental factors, such as the rates of evaporation and replenishment.
I'd imagine that it would also require a fairly elaborate arrangment if
screening is required to minimise interference.


--
Wally
www.artbywally.com
www.wally.myby.co.uk/music