Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions Optical Versus Coax...

Is there a difference? Do both support Digital audio? I'm testing out a Onkyo 805 at my house for a couple weeks and it only has 2 Optical connections in the back. So I was thinking of using one of Coax connections.

Josh, optical is a digital connection, while the coax can handle either analog or digital material. There're minor differences, such as the optical connection being inherently immune from outside electrical interference, since it works with light rather than electrical signals, but the typical shielding on coax is good enough interference protection in most home environments. The coax is generally thought to be a little sturdier in its construction. There's of course no difference in the sound quality with either(assuming that any level difference resulting from a difference in the optical or coax output or input sensitivity is adjusted for). Use whatever's convenient.

Cool. That answered my questions. Just wanted to make sure audio wouldn't suffer, :). Thanks.

Its amazing how much a 5ft peice of fiber optic costs!

Not necessarily; for example, MonoPrice has 6' optical cables from about $3-$6.

Both are digital audio, by definition. There's no real difference in terms of sound.

You can use a coat hanger as well, but have to solder ends on first.

Note:

I tried this fourteen times and it never worked.

Damn plastic hangers.

Isn't there a max bit rate capacity difference between the two? I thought Coax had a higher capacity?? I suppose it doesn't matter much anyway, but I am still curious.