@galleybob - You're mentioning three options: digital optical, digital coax, RCA jacks (analog). As @sfar said, you won't know which you prefer until you hear them.
That said, I'd probably avoid the analog output of the Node2i. It seems likely your Anthem has the better DAC; and what's more, if you are using ARC, any analog input will be re-digitized by the Anthem, while the digital signal will be processed without reconversion. As a rule, I try to avoid extra AD or DA steps.
That said, I'd probably avoid the analog output of the Node2i. It seems likely your Anthem has the better DAC; and what's more, if you are using ARC, any analog input will be re-digitized by the Anthem, while the digital signal will be processed without reconversion. As a rule, I try to avoid extra AD or DA steps.