My receiver and my dvd player both have the option of either a digital coaxial audio cable or opticalaudiocable...which one is best to use, and is there a noticeble difference, in decibles between the two?

I don't notice a difference soundwise between the two. Optical cables don't like to be bent or turned too tightly, so if you have a small space to work with coax might be better.

I actually find optical much easier to work with as the cable is thinner and more flexible, I don't think there is a difference in sound between the two.

Mitch there may or may not be a slight difference in the player's coaxial and optical output levels, and the sensitivity of the receiver's coaxial and optical inputs. If any of this resulted in a small volume difference between the types of connection, it would be made identical simply with a small change in the receiver's volume control. With the volumes being made exactly identical there would be no difference in sound quality between the two types of connection. Incidentally, the failure to balance the sound levels when judging two audio items is probably the most common reason for drawing a false conclusion that one is better although they may be in fact audibly identical at precisely the same level.

Generally the coaxial connection is a little more sturdy and might be the preferred option.

Thanks guys for replying, the reason asking, is that I haven't watched a DVD movie lately, so a couple weeks ago, I rented Peter Jackson's King Kong, and before I went to play the movie, I properly calibrated my system with my AVIA and VE DVD to 75dB...then I was surprised at how lousy the mix was for the DVD King Kong...was it just me, or is it a lousy mix or not?
The center channel was way too soft, a the rears were way too loud!

We watched this movie a little while back and although I can't remember the soundtrack mix specifically I do know sometimes we'll tweak the center channel db's a little from time to time to either bump up or tone down the dialog...that's what's nice and unique about a home system, you can adjust to suit your ears.

After I calibrated my system, I wasn't exactly please with the volume of the speech coming from the center channel. So, I set it up 3 dB and now I am pleased.

As there have been many posts on other threads, the settings are relative. Calibrate to get started and then adjust until you are pleased with the sound.

OK, these were my results after I calibrated my Harman-Kardon AVR65 receiver using the Radio Shack digital SPL Meter at 75dB.
L=0dB
C=0dB
R=-3dB
RS=+5dB
LS=+4dB

if sound is usually twice as powerful at 3dB...would it be better to just set the surround speakers both at +3dB, instead of where it is now, or would that be ruining the general purpose of calibrating a home-theater at 75dB?
Or would it be better to round off the L rear at +3dB, the R Rear at +6dB, and the Right speaker at -3dB?..since 5 is closest to 6, and 4 is closest to 3?

Mitch you need to trust the SPL results. Room characteristics play a big part in why you get different results for each speaker. For example, my Right Surround, Right Rear Surround, and Left Rear Surround do not have a wall behind them, so the autosetup and calibration always has those louder to account for the difference.

I think my current settings are as follows:
Left Main +5dB (in a corner)
Center +8dB (I bumped this up a little to help with dialog.
Right Main +4dB (in a partial corner)
R Surround +6dB
R Rear Surround +5dB
L Rear Surround +4.5dB
L Surround +4dB
Sub -4dB

You don't want to average stuff out just because you think it makes sense visualy on the receiver.

"1 dB up or down is insignificant compared to the power of the Dark Side. "

Quote:

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"1 dB up or down is insignificant compared to the power of the Dark Side. "

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I take it Darth Vader set up your HT, hmm?