Digital Coaxial vs. Digital Optical

[JrCT0091]

I recently upgraded my A/V Receiver and Blu-ray player. I noticed when I went to hook-up my 5-Disc DVD/CD Changer (using it solely for playing Audio CDs - waiting for the 5-disc Blu-ray changer technology to come out to eventually use one unit for BD, DVD, and music CDs), my Yamaha receiver recommended to use a Digital Coaxial (orange color coded) audio connection from my 5 disc Sony DVD/CD player…I didn’t have any Digital Coaxial cable, so I used the Digital Optical Cable & Connection between my Sony 5-Disc Player and the Yamaha receiver.

Any insight/opinions out there as to which Cable (Coaxial or Optical) will give a better sound when playing music CDs only? Or are they equal (I already have my Blu-ray connected through HDMI - so I know the movies Audio/Video is set there), but wasn’t sure for Music CDs, which connection might sound better (one better than the other or equal).

Also, an additional inquiry…I was always curious if the length of a cable (HDMI, Coaxial, Optical, etc.) effects performance of Audio or Video Stream quality (i.e. is it better to use the shortest possible length cables/cords vs. longer ones to ensure optimal Audio/Video outputs??)

Thanks for any advice/feedback…be well.

Jr.