Digital co-ax or Digital Optical?

[stigdu]

Which would be the best lead to use for connection between my Sony S735D player, and my Videologic DTS amp?

Thanks in advance!

[Ono]

Makes no difference.

[kcxdev]

yeh, makes no different to sound quality (unless you have VERY sensitive ears) but coax can be picked up cheaper and is more robust.

[Prav]

I was told that co-ax was marginally better because the DVD player outputs the signal as an 'electric pulse' i.e co-axially; with an optical output this electric pulse has to be converted into light, which might lead to very tiny loss of signal. However, it is so unbelievably negligible it's not worth mentioning!

[stigdu]

Good stuff. Thanks guys!

[splobber]

IIRC, my Sony 725 manual says that a co-axial lead is the better choice.

[kcxdev]

Sony amps say that as well (in the manual anyway), dunno where but I read somewhere that it checks for a coaxial stream first (which doesn't make that much sense cos you set it up for coax or optical)

[Justin]

Originally posted by Prav
I was told that co-ax was marginally better because the DVD player outputs the signal as an 'electric pulse' i.e co-axially; with an optical output this electric pulse has to be converted into light, which might lead to very tiny loss of signal. However, it is so unbelievably negligible it's not worth mentioning!

Persoanally I prefer and notice a difference with co-axial, but a lot of this depends on the system you are using. To be honest (and not being funny) I doubt very much you would notice a difference wither way on a digi-theatre, so just use the cheapest option:)

[Mr Nice]

In theory, the fact that the signal has to be converted to and from light with an optical connection adds a slight delay to the signal, which may exacerbate any exisitng lip sync issues.