Digital Inputs & Outputs - What Sounds Best?

[Mike]

There is a myriad of digital inputs and outputs, generally speaking, what order would you put them in from best to worst (sonically)?

1. i2s
2. Ethernet
3. BNC
4. AES/EBU
5. USB
6. Coax
7. Optical
8. ???? Am I missing any? Proprietary connections like the EAR AcuteLink?

 

[Mechnutt]

I have heard a very slight difference between a coax and optical out on only 1 piece of gear that I own but not on others. The coax sounded better. I tend to use coax vs optical thinking that there is one less conversion processes with coax which uses an electrical signal vs optical which has to convert an electrical signal to light and then back to electrical but in the long run it is probably a wash.

 

[Audioseduction]

Mike, I think you need to specify the 2 Optical cables one being Toslink and the other ST Glass Optical Fiber. Big difference in performance. I say ST Glass Optical Fiber is best I've heard of. It dose not carry any grunge (EMI/RFI) like your copper does.

 

[asindc]

Of those I've tried in various configurations of my system:

1. AES/EBU
2. USB
3. Coax
4. Optical (glass)
5. Optical (any other kind)