Optical cable for stereo connection

[the horse]

Being my first post as a member i'd like to say hi to everyone. Anyway down to business. I have a new MBP and would like to know 1) If it is worth upgrading my current analogue cable running to my sony CMT-CP500MD stereo to the digital option, is the sound quality noticeably better? 2) there is quite a large distance between my stereo and where my laptop general is, about 7m, where can i find a cable that has the proper connections and is about this long? The optical connection in my stereo is a toslink. On ebay there is a 10m option but only with duel toslink ends. thanks guys

[zaney]

To be honest, the only advantage I can see to an optical link is 5.1 sound. Good for movies/games, but pretty much irrelevant for music.
Unless you're an audiophile and have very good ears and a VERY good speaker system, you probably won't hear the difference.

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong though, anyone.

[cyclingplatypus]

They make an adapter for the toslink cable, looks like this and just snaps on one end so you can use it in your MBP.

I think it is worth it for the little differences in 5.1, like a certain sound coming from only the back left speaker...personal preference really.