The main difference between the two is the way they connect to the receiver. The coaxial fits securely on the input jack and is more like a standard analog cable, and is probably better for a longer run. An optical cable can distort sound with just a slight kink in the cable. They both produce excellent sound.
Both digital cables send the same type of signal (& I would recomend either one to anybody because digital is the way to go). the coax does it with electricity (electrons, voltage, pulses of current if you will) & the fiber-optics cable does it with optics (with light, or photons). If you can keep the digital cable relatively free from sharp bends & too much winding... then go ahead go with the optics cable, it will be virtually untouchable by electromagnetic noise that may be around your components. If it will be wound quite a bit or have to round a few corners... then go with the coax cable, it isn't affected as much by the bending. I
Both digital cables send the same type of signal (& I would recomend either one to anybody because digital is the way to go). the coax does it with electricity (electrons, voltage, pulses of current if you will) & the fiber-optics cable does it with optics (with light, or photons). If you can keep the digital cable relatively free from sharp bends & too much winding... then go ahead go with the optics cable, it will be virtually untouchable by electromagnetic noise that may be around your components. If it will be wound quite a bit or have to round a few corners... then go with the coax cable, it isn't affected as much by the bending. I