The best digital audio out of coaxial, or optical?


We would like to have an answer for our customers regaurding this.
chriscross
It's got to be optical, as long as the ends (glass) are clean -- nothing affects it's transmission except for a macro bend.
I have seen several manufacturers list Toslink as the least desirable of the outputs or inputs they offer on their equipment. They must feel compelled to offer it for compatibility with other equipment. I have never seen any company recommend it as the first choice.
Anti-Toslink people are damn funny. Cheap Toslink cables have issues sonically just like some metal-based digital cables. As an example, VDH Optocoupler is far superior to many standard digital cables and I would bet that most people would have trouble hearing the distiction. Soft bass? Yeah okay, whatever. Just like any other comparisons, listen for yourself and don't be swayed by any of us.
Too broad? Okay, Mrjstark, I'd wager a significant number of our Audiogon membership has never done a comparison with a high quality Toslink cable. I believe they read blanket negative comments like yours without supporting evidence (or in your case, announced experience) and turn to a lesser sonic quality metal-based cable. Like I said, make your own comparison. Just for the record, the best sounding digital cable I've heard is metal-based, but make no mistake there are some very good Toslink cables.