Mike Rivers wrote:

Still, I have heard the difference between different grades of optical and
coaxial cable

So have I. But this is a jitter problem. TOSLink has more jitter than
wire, and when you get over about 10 feet of either, the effects can
become audible.

In general, this isn't true. I've seen and measured signals that had
considerably lower jitter over Toslink than over Coax. And I've seen
the opposite too. So you have to take it on a case-by-case basis.

--
Len Moskowitz PDAudio, Binaural Mics, Cables, DPA, M-Audio
Core Sound http://www.stealthmicrophones.com
Teaneck, New Jersey USA http://www.core-sound.com
Tel: 201-801-0812, FAX: 201-801-0912