[jobiwon]

Which output connection do you use for your pi

[Calypte]

I'm using coax. 

[jobiwon]

Yeah me too at this time.

[zoom25]

Until I looked it up, I had forgotten that you guys also get the Toslink output on the Pi. That's cool. How do you guys find the optical?

(BDP-1 user: NAS -> BDP-1 -> AES)

[jobiwon]

I have not tried the Optical yet,  That's why I posed the question.  Might try testing that here soon. But i was looking at a manual for a BDP 2 I think and it suggested Coax as the preferred then optical.

from the pi manual

"Audio Connection
Prior to powering on your BDP-π, connect your BDP-π to your DAC using one of the four different methods described above. The most desirable connection depends on your DAC. Typically, S/PDIF will be better sounding than TOSLINK. USB offers very high sound quality (perhaps even superior to S/PDIF) when coupled with asynchronous USB DACs such as Bryston's own BDA-2 and BDA-3........"

[zoom25]

I think that coax > optical suggestion is based with Bryston DACs in mind since the BDA's only have asynchronous inputs on their USB connection and the other remain synchronous. With DACs that have (excellent) asynchronous mode for all their inputs, optical very well can meet or exceed the other inputs. Zero electrical noise with optical. Unfortunately, optical won't be the best match with Bryston DACs.

[jobiwon]

I just did a quick test with some Marvin Gay, Steely Dan , Police , dire straits etc streaming in at 16/44 from Radio Paradise.  Really Close, Coax may have a little bit more robust image, less edgy sound on some tunes.

Coax: Marrow DIG 4
Optical: Silflex Glass
DAC: Wadia 321