AudioQuest Cinnamon Optical Cable (Toslink)

The AudioQuest Cinnamon is an optical digital cable (Toslink) with an extra-pure, especially low-scatter polymer fiber – the mid-range tier of the optical line, including a 3.5mm mini adapter.

Why the Cinnamon?

Between the Forest and the Cinnamon there's no marketing term, but material quality: a purer fiber that keeps the light pulse narrower, and fiber ends that are precision-polished rather than simply cut. Both reduce the timing blur with which a bit arrives at the DAC. Less guesswork for the electronics, more order in the result.

What you get

Refinement. The Cinnamon cleans things up especially in quiet passages: reverb tails run out longer, the attack of strings and brass sounds more defined, and the background takes a step back. The mini adapter is included, so the cable is at home on both jack types.

Who is the Cinnamon suited for – and who isn't it?

Honestly: on a TV whose sound runs through two small drivers anyway, the Cinnamon is wasted – go for the Pearl or the Forest. On a standalone DAC, a streamer with an optical output, or a CD transport, it shows what's really in the connection.

Our verdict

The tier at which most optical systems could stop without missing anything. Whether it's the optimum for you, we'd rather tell you before than after: HD Zürisee in Wädenswil, 044 680 22 00, WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls) or shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Technical data

• Type: optical digital cable, S/PDIF via Toslink
• Fiber: extra-pure, low-scatter polymer fiber, precision-polished fiber ends
• Connector: full-size Toslink, brass ferrule
• Jacket: PVC, in-wall-rated version from 3 m upward
• Lengths: 0.75 / 1.5 / 3 / 5 / 8 / 12 / 16 m
• Included: optical Toslink cable, 3.5mm mini adapter

Frequently asked questions

What's different about the Cinnamon's fiber?

It's purer and scatters less than the Forest's. AudioQuest describes it as an extra-pure, low-scatter fiber with precision-polished ends. The less a light pulse spreads out on the way, the more exactly the DAC recognizes its timing. The result is finer detail and an audibly calmer background.

Optical or coaxial – which suits my DAC better?

Optical isolates galvanically and cleanly avoids ground loops; coaxial delivers more stable timing on many devices. Which variant wins depends on the specific combination of source and DAC, not on the principle itself. Tell us both devices and we'll say where we'd start.

Does the Cinnamon come with the 3.5mm mini adapter?

Yes, AudioQuest includes a mini adapter with the Cinnamon Optical. You can plug the cable directly into a full-size Toslink jack, or use the adapter for a combined 3.5mm mini-optical output, as offered by some laptops and compact devices. You don't need a second cable for that.

Why buy the Cinnamon specifically from HD Zürisee?

Because with us, someone who knows the devices talks to you, instead of just entering an order number. We give the tier an honest assessment, help plan the length, and stay in touch afterwards. Reach us on 044 680 22 00, WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls) or shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Goes well with

Sensible neighbours: the other tiers among the optical cables, DACs and streamers among the DACs & D/A converters and the streamers, plus the full range in the AudioQuest world.