Page 1 of optical or co-axial????

what`s the better connection type?

There`s no definitive answer here, really - there are many who`d say that both are equally good, Gareth.

I prefer a coaxial for the very reason it looks `more hi-fi` than an optical, but then I think I`m turning into a hi-fi snob !!!

What does everyone else think here ?

Gareth

I would have said optical, but I recently connected a Digitheatre DTS to my little Sammy709 using coax (doesn`t have a Optical out- Grrrr!) and it sounds great!! No buzzing either (I was worried about this, as others had reported buzzing on DTS sets, but I played Gladiator in DTS yesterday and it was like being there!! Ended up looking round my shoulder for Lions all through the fight scenes and the punching sounded sickeningly, bone crunchingly real. Had to adjust the Sub during the crowd scenes or the neighbours would have wondered why the walls were shaking....

But then, I`m easily pleased.....:-):-)

Cheers

SN

There shouldn`t be any noticeable difference. But, coax can suffer dropout if the cable is too long (from personal experience), don`t know if optical suffers same problem.

Use coax (BTech XCX-0M8) myself - seems to be a better link for 5.1 audio and extreme range CD-audio (really low-bass) than the TOSlink style.

Can`t work out whether that`s the kit (scan sc2000 and a videologic digitheatre), or the limitations of the optical showing though.

BTW. the cable was only £3.25+VAT from beyondhifi.com, compared to £18+vat from the local audio store.

Whatever happens - don`t use a standard phono lead, the noise gets terrible (again, maybe my setup, with power lines nearby)

Ok for my part i use an optical ......1 lead does the lot !.....no fuss....sounds fantastic......and i think its cheaper in the long run.

Optical. Coaxial (although rare) can fall victim to interference due to the nature of it. Optical is a sealed cable and is interference free thus guaranteeing a cleaner signal.