optical or coaxial audio cable?

I would only like to point out that when doing such tests, one is actually testing the "compatability" or "system synergy" of the components / cabling under test. Due to the variances in optical / coaxial and analogue output stages and those same design variations in input stages from component to component, it is quite possible that one person might favor a specific type of connection over another in System A, but someone else prefer a different type of connection in System B that uses different components.

I do agree that Eldartford's "test" is a good idea though and it will give one a good idea of what inputs / outputs seem to work best in that system. It has been my experience that changing cables can change those rankings though, suggesting that system building is basically a matter of trial and error and takes both time and experimentation. Sean
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Eldartford,

There is an element on the left side of the 1066 display that show whether the active input is "coaxial" or "optical".

I thought about including "analog" in the mix, but all I had was crap RCA cables, and I'm more interested in using the Denon DVD-2500 as a transport, and not use the Denon DACs.

Nrenter..Is that display the "active" input or the "selected" (by setup process) input?

It is the input defined in the OSD.

if you select "optical" with the OSD, and only have a co-ax or analog input, it will *not* default to the next available (valid) input.

Nrenter...See page 25 of the ROTEL 1066 owners manual.

"If no digital signal is present the unit will automatically revert to the analog input".

That's the way mine works. Try this:

1. Connect coax and analog to an input.
2. On the OSD, select coax. The 1066 display says "Coaxial"
3. Play a CD.
4. While playing, disconnect the coax.
5. After a brief silence, the music resumes. The 1066 display "Coaxial" disappears.