optimize and oldrooney I learned a bit from both of your responses. I have a purely digital system (can't afford analog). My integrated amp has three connection options (no XLR go figure) so for the fun of it, I have my CD player connected via line stage, coaxial, and optical. Switching between the three my 75 year old ears cannot distinguish the difference between optical and coaxial through my system, the analog line stage as you would expect is inferior to both.
I was under the impression XLR was the best followed by coaxial, optical, and then line.