Audio Coaxial [digital] versus audio 5.1ch [analog]

[lakeman]

My Panasonic DVD-87 player has two audio outputs; digital coaxial and analog 5.1ch. My Onkyo TX-SR604 receiver has coaxial and 5.1 audio inputs. At present, I do not have DVD audio disks which require the 5.1 hookup. Should I use the coaxial or 5.1ch audio output from the DVD player to the receiver?

[sholling]

Digital. The 5.1 analog connections are for DVD-A and SACD.

[flyv65]

My Panasonic DVD-87 player has two audio outputs; digital coaxial and analog 5.1ch. My Onkyo TX-SR604 receiver has coaxial and 5.1 audio inputs. At present, I do not have DVD audio disks which require the 5.1 hookup. Should I use the coaxial or 5.1ch audio output from the DVD player to the receiver?

That depends: do you want the receiver or the DVD player to process the signal? If you want to manage the signal through the reccy then use the digital coax; if you like the processors in your Panasonic better, then you should use the 6 analogue outputs.

Bryan...but one cable is typically alot cheaper than 6 cables...

[skizzerflake]

My experience has been that I am happier with the DSP in receivers than DVD players. The 5.1 out is mainly a way of connecting for DVDA and SACD since the companies don't want you to have a digital bitstream that you could record. In addition, unless you bought the player because it has a reputation of having great signal processing, you can assume that they cut the cost on that component to keep the price down since most people use the digital connection. I suggest sticking to the digital connection. It will also allow you to use all of the DSP modes that receivers have for CDs. Some of those are worth using sometimes on some disks.

[Tomorrow]

The analog output from my F87 is equivalent to the digital signal processed by my Yamaha RX-V2500. I could tell no advantage or disadvantage of audio quality. But because of the availability of the forementioned DSP modes, I use the digital side exclusively.

You can always hook them both up and A/B switch them to see which you prefer.

[Seth=L]

Using digital gives you control of the receiver's bass management features and other controls. DVD players don't generally have the flexibility of newer receivers. When using Onkyo's 5.1 input it disables all the receiver's settings, in affect making it a direct input.

Also note that 5.1 is the most you can achieve using the 5.1 output of the DVD player. Using digital you can do 6.1.

I would use digital for now. If in the future you get any DVD-Audio discs you can leave the digital connected and use 5.1 in conjunction with it.:)