Is there any difference in optical cables? I realize fiber is fiber, but what about connectors and bending radius? Some have metal ferrules and supposedly better strain reliefs. Right now I am using a cheap one from Walmart & it works, but I need to get a few more. Monoprice.com lists a regular, a Premium and a Metallic Body version (which just looks like a metal ferrule). Not much of a price difference between each model which makes it tempting to upgrade. But the connectors are all plastic anyway where they plug into the components.

Any comments would be appreciated if the cheapest ones work & hold up just as well as the expensive ones.

Thanks in advance.

I have used cheap radioshack optical (toslink) and also more expensive cables but have not noticed a significant difference. I have heard that digital coax is better if you have that option. I sure am sure if you spent a few hundred as opposed to 20 bucks there will be a difference but i personally have no interest in finding out on my budget.

I would go for a somewhat cheap glass optical cable and just use that instead. Won't make much of a difference if you buy much pricier ones. The glass optical cables on ebay works fine.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10229&style=