Apple TV (1st gen) into amplifier - HMDI only or HDMI + optical cable

[Juzzie Wuzzie]

Has anyone experimented as to whether an Apple TV (1st gen) sounds better with using an optical cable to transport the sound signal, rather than through the HDMI? In short rather than HDMI only, HDMI + optical cable.

 

[noogle]

Is it possible to use both HDMI and optical simultaneously? Don't you have to select either HDMI or optical input on the amp?

 

[Juzzie Wuzzie]

Amp allows splitting - as with Sky - picture from HDMI and sound from optical - was just going to apply the same principles here.