The best digital audio out of coaxial, or optical?

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.

Most people......yes! MOST PEOPLE DOES'T APLLY HERE....OR DOES IT?

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.

If both work properly (the bits arrive) and the DAC device has a re-clocking PLL then perhaps it is just a coin toss between the two....both are equally good (as good as the PLL re-clocker algorithm).