David Rance wrote:
> Very many thanks for that pointer, John. In fact I have just such a 
> cable (I've had it for years - it came with a Soundblaster Live Drive) 
> which I've never used because I had nothing to connect it to. So I took 
> the plastic stopper off the end, plugged it in, and .... yes, the other 
> end glowed red!
> 
> So now, how do I use it? I wanted to plug it in to an Edirol R-4 digital 
> sound recorder but that doesn't have an optical connector on it. So the 
> only other thing is my desktop which has the Soundblaster installed on it
> 
Almost any hifi shop can either sell you or get you a converter from 
optical to co-ax digital connectors. 15 quid plus p&p from here:-

http://www.audiovisualonline.co.uk/dynamic/eshop_products.set/ref/615/digital-optical-to-digital-coaxial-converter/display.html

Not necessarily a recommendation, as I've got a WAMIbox that accepts 
either, so I've not had to try one.

Just be aware that the TOSlink is to S/PDIF standards & isn't ADAT 
compatible. I suspect you'll be OK with the Roland, as it states a 
stereo digital in/out, which is normally S/PDIF.

> Anyway, thanks again for your help. At least I know that it works now.
>
You're welcome.

-- 
Tciao for Now!

John.