optical or coaxial ? your thoughts on Monster

Good morning Cj. This is a very researchable topic, both here and on Audio Asylum. I've used the Monster optical and you can do much better for the money. For optical, the best I've used is the Van den Hul Optocoupler and I currently use a MAS Digital Reference coax. I can also recommend Signal Cable Silver and copper digital coax cables. If you do buy a Monster optical cables, buy the cheaper 100 series not the 200, they sound the same even though the 200 looks to be better built.

Generally, coaxial connection is preferred over toslink because of digital jitter concerns. I personally have not heard differences switching between the two though.

Monster produces good product and fantastic marketing, which helps explain the higher price. Monster also features RCA connectors that grip the jack so tightly you may experience damage to jacks that are not chassis mounted. I would recommend one of the smaller manufactuers that don't market the hell out of their products: BetterCables, VH Audio, RS Audio are all excellent (and affordable) options that may serve you alot longer than entry level Monster Cable

Monster cables are excellent cables, not a lot of hype, and a good solid value for your $$. I've owned many and compared some others, and you cannot beat them for the price. Their speaker cables in particular are excellent, as are their digital cables.
For digital signals, coaxial is ALWAYS a better choice than Optical!