End B Connector
The connector at the cable’s designated receiving or device end, such as the DAC, loudspeaker, headphone or powered component.
End B identifies the destination fitting in the described connection. It may differ from End A even when both ends belong to one cable assembly. This label describes the intended setup; it does not mean every cable carries signals in only one direction.
End B Connector — Ground Cable
On a ground cable, End B is the fitting used at the designated receiving ground connection. A spade, ring or hook lug must suit the terminal’s size and fastening method; a proprietary grounding box may require its own plug. The two ends need not use the same fitting.
Compare the connector with the equipment’s specified grounding point, rather than choosing by appearance alone. Grounding arrangements do not necessarily have a one-way signal flow. This terminal description does not establish a hum cure or authorize replacing a protective-earth connection with an accessory lead.
End B Connector — HDMI Cable
For an HDMI cable, End B normally connects to the receiving display, receiver or other HDMI input. Match the full-size or miniature connector to that socket and check clearance around the housing. On an active directional cable, the labelled display or destination end belongs here.
Compare the cable’s HDMI capability separately from its plug shape. A matching connector does not establish bandwidth or every return-channel feature. Audio-return operation can send sound in the opposite direction, and an I²S socket using an HDMI-shaped connector is not automatically an HDMI input.
End B Connector — Network Cable
For a network cable, End B is the fitting at the designated streamer, switch or other network endpoint. An RJ45 plug mates with the corresponding copper Ethernet socket; fibre and direct-attach assemblies use different connector or module arrangements. Check the actual port rather than assuming all network links use copper plugs.
Compare both endpoints’ link requirements, including any necessary transceivers. Ethernet communication is bidirectional, so End B is a connection label rather than an audio-flow restriction. A plug that fits physically does not by itself establish the cable category, network speed or optical compatibility.
End B Connector — I2S Cable
For an I²S cable, End B is the DAC-side connector. Some equipment uses HDMI-shaped plugs and other equipment uses a different format, but the shape only identifies the physical fitting. I²S carries separate data and timing signals whose contact assignments must match the receiving DAC.
Compare the source and DAC manuals for pinout, signal levels and supported wiring. A normal HDMI socket or network port is not an alternative I²S input just because the plug fits. Changing the connector with an adapter does not automatically correct incompatible signal or clock assignments.
End B Connector — RCA Cable
On an RCA analogue interconnect, End B connects to the receiving component’s input. Match the plugs to the intended left and right line inputs and allow enough room for the barrels. The fitting may be identical at both ends, even though the source and receiving functions differ.
Compare the complete connector arrangement if the other end uses a jack or another format. RCA sockets can carry analogue, phono-level or digital signals, so physical fit alone does not establish a suitable signal path. One RCA plug carries one unbalanced channel, not a complete stereo pair.
End B Connector — AES/EBU Cable
For a conventional balanced AES/EBU connection, End B is normally a three-pin male XLR plug that mates with the receiving DAC or interface’s female digital input. The cable transfers the supported digital audio signal; its three contacts do not represent separate left and right analogue connections.
Compare the receiving socket’s AES3 function and the complete cable’s 110 Ω specification. An analogue XLR input is not interchangeable with a digital input, even when the connector fits. A connector adapter alone does not convert AES/EBU into a different digital protocol or establish supported sample rates.
End B Connector — XLR Cable
On a conventional analogue XLR interconnect, End B is normally the three-pin male plug inserted into the receiving component’s female input. The source end is normally female. Check the equipment’s actual pin wiring and available space so the plug can seat fully and its latch remains accessible.
Compare the intended analogue connection, not just the number of pins. Three-pin XLR sockets can also carry AES/EBU digital audio, and neither use is interchangeable with a four-pin headphone output. Matching connector gender does not prove that every circuit in the signal path is balanced.
End B Connector — Optical Cable
On an optical audio cable, End B mates with the receiving optical input, commonly full-size TOSLINK or mini-TOSLINK. Mini-TOSLINK uses a small jack-like shape but carries light, so the destination socket must explicitly support optical input. A purely electrical headphone socket cannot receive that signal.
Compare the optical formats and rates supported by both components. A fitting or adapter can change the physical size without converting the transmitted audio format. Check the cable’s orientation if specified, remove protective caps as instructed and respect its bend limits when routing behind the equipment.
Speaker End — Speaker Cable
For a speaker cable, End B is the loudspeaker-side termination. Banana plugs, spades, pins and bare wire suit different terminal arrangements; the amplifier end may use a different option. Check that spades fit the binding posts and that inserted plugs or wire can be secured without exposed strands bridging terminals.
Compare the complete channel arrangement as well as the terminal type. A bi-wire cable can have more speaker-side terminations than amplifier-side ones. Interchangeable terminals require the compatible tip system. The connector list does not specify conductor resistance, cable length or the number of speaker channels supplied.
Preamp End — Phono Cable
On a phono cable, End B connects to the phono preamplifier. It commonly uses an RCA pair or a supported balanced connection, while the tonearm end may have a multi-pin plug. Keep the separate grounding lead and left/right identification consistent with the equipment’s instructions.
Compare the phono input’s wiring and cartridge requirements, not only the socket shape. A line input cannot provide cartridge amplification and record equalization unless those functions already occur upstream. An XLR termination alone does not make the entire cartridge-to-preamp path balanced, and the plugs do not state the cable’s capacitive load.
Device Connector — Power Cable
On a power cable, End B is the connector that fits the equipment inlet, such as IEC C13, C15, C19 or C7. These are distinct fittings with different shapes and rated applications. The wall plug at End A does not establish compatibility at this end.
Compare the device connector with the component’s inlet requirements and check the complete cable’s voltage, current and earthing suitability. A similar-looking plug is not enough, and a connector should never be forced or modified to fit. Connector type also does not mean the cable converts the local mains voltage.
End B Connector — Digital Coax Cable
On a digital coaxial cable, End B connects to the receiving DAC or other component’s electrical S/PDIF input. That end may use RCA or BNC independently of the source-end fitting. Both the connector and cable belong to the intended 75 Ω signal path.
Compare the destination’s actual input function and supported audio formats. A BNC word-clock socket or an RCA analogue input cannot receive S/PDIF merely because it accepts the plug. An RCA-to-BNC cable can adapt the physical connection for compatible coaxial audio, but it does not convert optical audio or change sample-rate support.
Device End — USB Cable
For a USB audio cable, End B is the device-side fitting, usually at the DAC. USB-B, Mini-B and Micro-B identify device ends; with USB-A at one end, the other connector is End B. A USB-C connector can serve different roles, so identify the intended device rather than relying on naming order.
Compare the DAC port with the cable’s data capability, not just charging compatibility. Active or optical USB assemblies may have fixed direction and separate power requirements. A USB-C-shaped plug alone does not establish USB speed, available power or compatibility with every audio connection.
Headphone End — Headphone Cable
On a headphone cable, End B describes the fitting at the headphone or earpiece, such as a mini-XLR, MMCX or a specified two-pin connector. It does not describe the plug inserted into the amplifier. A named fitting may be used once or separately on the left and right sides.
Compare the exact connector family, dimensions, pin wiring and any recessed or keyed housing with the headphones. Similar-looking two-pin or jack fittings are not automatically interchangeable. Cable Entry describes the one-sided or two-sided arrangement separately; the connector name alone does not state plug count or balanced compatibility.