Results 1 to 6 of 6
  1. #1
    Loving This kexodusc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Department of Heuristics and Research on Material Applications
    Posts
    9,025

    Receiver DAC vs. CD Player DAC

    Okay you digi-know-it-alls...I was asked today if there's any difference in sound quality between running analog cables from cd player to receiver and running an optical cable from player to receiver. I didn't think it would matter really either way, but I'm not 100%sure.

    The receiver is a brand new HTR-5760, and the CD player is a 5 year old Yamaha 5 disc carousel...he couldn't remember the exact model #, I'm sure it's pretty basic though.
    I'm 99% confident the DAC is better in the receiver than the old cd player, but does that necessarily translate into real-world performance?

    Thanks.

  2. #2
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Posts
    113
    I would say yes. The DAC has improved over the years. My new Pioneer VSX-2012 receiver's DAC is better than old Denon 3300 receiver (4 or 5 years old) which in terms was better than my older Pioneer 525 DVD player. Newer player may also have better DAC. My Sony DVD/SACD player's DAC is better than the old Denon 3300. You can certainly hear the difference.

  3. #3
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Posts
    1,720
    Quote Originally Posted by kexodusc
    Okay you digi-know-it-alls...I was asked today if there's any difference in sound quality between running analog cables from cd player to receiver and running an optical cable from player to receiver. I didn't think it would matter really either way, but I'm not 100%sure.

    The receiver is a brand new HTR-5760, and the CD player is a 5 year old Yamaha 5 disc carousel...he couldn't remember the exact model #, I'm sure it's pretty basic though.
    I'm 99% confident the DAC is better in the receiver than the old cd player, but does that necessarily translate into real-world performance?

    Thanks.
    Only a good DBT will ever tell.
    I wouldn't worry about it. But, it is a good practice to send the digital signal as far as you can before converting back to analog.
    mtrycrafts

  4. #4
    Shostakovich fan Feanor's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    London, Ontario
    Posts
    8,127

    Listening to my Panny XR25 ...

    Quote Originally Posted by kexodusc
    Okay you digi-know-it-alls...I was asked today if there's any difference in sound quality between running analog cables from cd player to receiver and running an optical cable from player to receiver. ,,, does that necessarily translate into real-world performance? Thanks.
    The evidence of my ears is that my old Technics CDP actually sounds better through analog than Toslink.

    With analog receivers, using analog cables from the CDP, you're using the player's DAC; with coax or Toslink, the receiver's. But in the case of digitals, presumably there is no need for DAC if you input a digital signal; analog signals, on the other hand, must be digitized. So how, as in my case, can going digital => analog => digital sound better?

    I believe the Panasonic digitized all analog signals at 192KHz before passing that signal to the digital amplifier. In the case of CD, it maybe (?) it pass 44.1KHz directly without up-sampling. So perhaps the digital amp doesn't handle 44.1KHz signals as well as the 192KHz. Who knows?

  5. #5
    Suspended markw's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    Noo Joisey. Youse got a problem wit dat?
    Posts
    4,659

    It's easy enough to test out.

    If your changer has a digital output, all it will take is an interconnect to an unused digital input on the receiver along with the existing red/white analog connection. Then you can switch between the two until the cows come home.

    Of course, if the changer lacks a digital output, then it's a moot point and all bets are off.

  6. #6
    Shostakovich fan Feanor's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    London, Ontario
    Posts
    8,127

    Question Yup, I've done the A/B

    Quote Originally Posted by markw
    If your changer has a digital output, all it will take is an interconnect to an unused digital input on the receiver along with the existing red/white analog connection. Then you can switch between the two until the cows come home...
    And the result is I prefer the player's DAC to whatever the receiver does with 44.KHz digital input. The real question is, why would a digital receiver sound better using analog input, as opposed to a digital input from the same recording?

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. the $1000 receiver question
    By illwill in forum Home Theater/Video
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 07-13-2004, 04:16 AM
  2. BUYING A New AV Receiver? Let me help and so can you!!
    By nick4433 in forum Home Theater/Video
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 06-12-2004, 12:28 PM
  3. Replies: 5
    Last Post: 05-05-2004, 02:03 PM
  4. Replies: 4
    Last Post: 03-30-2004, 08:05 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •