Toslink optical cables: Audioquest Optilink 3 vs Glass?

Go with the Lifatec hands down! They are by far the best Toslink I have ever used. Magnificent build (medical grade) and as good as it gets imho…

Glass always.

I use 3ft glass (280 strands) Toslink from uniqueproductsonline.com ($40)  with Benchmark DAC3 HGC.  Toslink transitions are slower than coax inducing jitter in presence of system noise, but it can be great by not injecting electrical noise and not making ground loops.  It is also free from jitter in coax produced by reflections.  As I understand it less transparent plastic Toslink slows down transitions (to threshold point) even further making it a little bit more prone to jitter.
I use Toslink as more practical, since Benchmark DAC has good jitter rejection.  Jitter shows as a loss of clarity so I would look for that, when comparing Toslinks.

470 strands glass fiber, 1 micron optical finish end tips for $129 plus $8.5 shipping.  Carry 24/192 w/o issue

http://www.lifatec.com/toslink2.html

vs DH Labs: 300 strands vs WW Supernova 338 strands vs AQ 217 strands

Toslink is the only connection I currently have available so trying to make the best of it.

Why are we concerned? Toslink is the weakest of all digital connections, the most jitter ect...

Would it be better to upgrade our digital connection somehow?

I'd be working on that, Toslink is so limiting for proper digital sound.

Matt M

Thank you Nonoise!!

I haven't compared the AQ to anything but have tried a couple touted here and found the DH Labs Glass Master Toslink to rule the roost.  At $235 for one meter It's comfortably under your maximum and the way I see it, you'll be rolling the dice and keep moving sideways when you can just get one of the best out there and be done with it. I got mine at a nice 20-25% discount during a holiday sale and they have occasional sales of different cables throughout the year. If you can wait and be patient, you can get a great cable at a great price. 

If you can't wait and want glass fiber instead of polished plastic, this one from Amazon was my go to until I got the itch for something better. 

All the best,
Nonoise