Fiber Optic versus Analog

[Ken1953]

Would the fiber optic be better than analog connections from my cd player to my receiver?

 

[3db]

Depends on which unit has the better DACs? Most likely you won't hear a difference if level matched between analog in to the reciever or fiber optic cable into the receiver. On my main system, I use both HDMI and analog out of my BluRay player.. the analog out going to the CD input of my AVR and the HDMI outputs going to the BluRay input of my AVR.

 

[markw]

That depends on which DAC is better, that in the CD player or the one in the receiver.

Analog uses the DAC in the CD player to do the digital to analog conversion while the toslink passes a digital stream to your receiver and uses it's DAC.

Try 'em both and see which sounds better.

 

[j_garcia]

A little more info, like what models we are talking about, might help. The real test is to try both and see.

 

[Ken1953]

Depends on which unit has the better DACs? Most likely you won't hear a difference if level matched between analog in to the reciever or fiber optic cable into the receiver. On my main system, I use both HDMI and analog out of my BluRay player.. the analog out going to the CD input of my AVR and the HDMI outputs going to the BluRay input of my AVR.

Thankyou for your reply.My Cd player has double wolfsan dacs (Azur651c cd player).My receiver(Marantz SR7009) has their single dac.

 

[3db]

Thankyou for your reply.My Cd player has double wolfsan dacs (Azur651c cd player).My receiver(Marantz SR7009) has their single dac.

I would just test then to see what you like better. Remember to level match the output as the louder output will always sound better. Its how human hearing is wired.

 

[agarwalro]

If you send analog, listen in Pure Direct. Any processing in the Marantz (bass management, EQ, sound modes) will re digitize the analog signal and use the internal DAC before amplifying the signal.

 

[Ken1953]

I would just test then to see what you like better. Remember to level match the output as the louder output will always sound better. Its how human hearing is wired.

I think I know what you mean by level match but could you please explain it to me?

 

[slipperybidness]

For long runs and/or noisy environments, optical has some advantages of analog. But, a well-shielded analog will likely perform just as well.

For the level of the gear that we are talking about here, Marantz vs Cambridge, I highly doubt there will be any audible differences based on analog vs optical.

 

[Ken1953]

If you send analog, listen in Pure Direct. Any processing in the Marantz (bass management, EQ, sound modes) will re digitize the analog signal and use the internal DAC before amplifying the signal.

Thank you

 

[j_garcia]

I've heard the 651C and it is a pretty good unit. I'd say it will probably best the Marantz.

 

[herbu]

If you send analog, listen in Pure Direct. Any processing in the Marantz (bass management, EQ, sound modes) will re digitize the analog signal and use the internal DAC before amplifying the signal.

Interesting point. Never thought of that. So if you use the CD analog outs, the process is:
digital > analog (in the CD player)
analog > digital (in the AVR)
signal processing (in the AVR)
digital > analog (in the AVR)

If you use the optical or HDMI out from the CD player, the process is:
signal processing (in the AVR)
digital > analog

That makes me think that no matter how good or expensive your CD/BDP DACS are, unless you run the analog outputs directly to a simple amp, you're not really getting the benefit of those DACs. Right?

 

[agarwalro]

Interesting point. Never thought of that. So if you use the CD analog outs, the process is:
digital > analog (in the CD player)
analog > digital (in the AVR)
signal processing (in the AVR)
digital > analog (in the AVR)

If you use the optical or HDMI out from the CD player, the process is:
signal processing (in the AVR)
digital > analog

That makes me think that no matter how good or expensive your CD/BDP DACS are, unless you run the analog outputs directly to a simple amp, you're not really getting the benefit of those DACs. Right?

Exactly! No point having a high end source with "better DACs" if there's another A to D to A happening downstream.