Which DAC Am I Using?

[mike100]

If I'm listening to multichannel hi res music via a hard drive > USB > BluRay (Sony bdp6700) > Onkyo ht rc560, am I right in thinking the multichannel is being decoded by the dac in the BluRay and the receiver is redundant, other than facilitating the stream to the speakers?

Or does the BluRay process the audio, send it to the dac in the receiver and then out through the speakers?

The reason I ask is because I wasn't sure how to upgrade my DAC, buy a new receiver or buy a new BluRay (Oppo or something similar).

Thanks in advance.

 

[lovinthehd]

Unless your bluray player is connected to the receiver with analog cables, the receiver's dac is doing the conversion. You can send it two ways to the receiver, tho, either by bitstream or letting the bluray player unpacking the codec. Why do you think the DAC is the particular issue?

 

[pewternhrata]

I usually don't put my 2 cents in when it comes to dacs but I keep seeing more and questions regarding them. Biggest upgrade in majority of systems is going to be speakers, always exceptions to that but usually only in high end setups. If your system isn't how you like it, I would start there. What speakers are you running btw?

 

[mike100]

Thank you both for your answers/questions.

LTHD: I don't think there's an issue, the issue is probably my constant need to make it sound 'better' even though it sounds great.

I suppose the question I should have asked is how much can multichannel playback be improved by upgrading a receiver.

Pewter: Elac FS5 at the front with the C5 center and BS22's as the height/backs.

And I totally accept your point, mine was more of a question regarding the two things i'm using to listen to music and whether I would benefit by upgrading the BluRay or the receiver.

 

[lovinthehd]

In my experience, and I use three avrs (including an Onkyo RC HT370) currently, they're all great at multich playback. Couldn't even tell you what particular DAC they employ. What sub do you have?

 

[mike100]

The sub is a Pioneer SW8, the Andrew Jones one.

Out of interest, how do you listen to multichannel, what is your set up, is it HDMI?

 

[pewternhrata]

I'm always looking at getting new/different things. If I looked it correctly, your at 85w with the onkyo and the elacs are not too efficient at 85db. I would consider a new receiver/amp if it was me.

 

[mike100]

You make a very fair point regarding the 85db. This all started when I heard a friends system, the difference being he plays his multichannel stuff from a Macbook to a DAC to the receiver and it sounded awesome, better than mine even though mine is ok. So I got to wondering if I could improve things by buying an expensive Oppo bluray or - and to your point - stick with the bluray and upgrade the Onkyo. I'm looking at an RZ710 or 810.

Just saw this, this is an incredibly low price: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/onkyo-1190w-7-2-ch-ultra-hd-network-a-v-receiver-black/5017600.p?skuId=5017600

 

[lovinthehd]

The sub is a Pioneer SW8, the Andrew Jones one.

Out of interest, how do you listen to multichannel, what is your set up, is it HDMI?

Not much of a sub....I'd upgrade that first.

Yes, I use hdmi from player to avr; into bluray player with usb thumb drive for multich music if not the optical disc.

 

[lovinthehd]

You make a very fair point regarding the 85db. This all started when I heard a friends system, the difference being he plays his multichannel stuff from a Macbook to a DAC to the receiver and it sounded awesome, better than mine even though mine is ok. So I got to wondering if I could improve things by buying an expensive Oppo bluray or - and to your point - stick with the bluray and upgrade the Onkyo. I'm looking at an RZ710 or 810.

What multi-ch dac does he have?

 

[mike100]

What multi-ch dac does he have?

Cambridge I believe.

 

[pewternhrata]

You make a very fair point regarding the 85db. This all started when I heard a friends system, the difference being he plays his multichannel stuff from a Macbook to a DAC to the receiver and it sounded awesome, better than mine even though mine is ok. So I got to wondering if I could improve things by buying an expensive Oppo bluray or - and to your point - stick with the bluray and upgrade the Onkyo. I'm looking at an RZ710 or 810.

Just saw this, this is an incredibly low price: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/onkyo-1190w-7-2-ch-ultra-hd-network-a-v-receiver-black/5017600.p?skuId=5017600

This gets my vote https://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/intdtr503/integra-dtr-50.3-7.2-ch-x-135-watts-thx-networking-a/v-receiver/1.html

 

[mike100]

Pew: What do you know about that receiver? In the quick glance I just had I'm thinking of pulling the trigger right now, looks a beauty.

 

[lovinthehd]

Cambridge I believe.

Don't see that they even have a multi-ch dac...love to know details. Also his speakers/room/setup may just have sounded great to you at the moment? Or have you guys extensively compared setups?

FWIW those refurb Integras (Onkyo) were from the time period they had some hdmi/network board issues so you might want to check that issue out (like here). They do come with a 2yr refurb warranty, which is better than the usual 1 year, and your credit card may even extend it another year (mine does that). Just sayin'....I also have an Onkyo from that era and after 5 years had the issue earlier this year with it, but the repair was quick and painless and seems to work better (cooler) than before! Otherwise unless you need 4k/latest HDCP/HDMI that's a very nice avr for the price. I've had very good experience with A4L in any case.

Just because I ran across this http://www.audioholics.com/av-receiver-reviews/integra-dtr-50.3-preview

 

[mike100]

Maybe it wasn't Cambridge, I will find out, I know it wasn't cheap. Having taken a good look at the Integra, it is a great price, the only thing that puts me off is if i'm going to get a new one I would be crazy not to get Atmos, given that I would hope not to upgrade again for another five or so years. The problem with receivers is there are so many, it's difficult to nail down that out-and-out bargain.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yeah the Integra is if you're fine with 1080p/7.1 base, if you want the extras it's time to find a more recent avr. Recently there were very good pricing on the Denon X3300 ($600) & X4300 models ($800), but believe I saw the 4300 particularly was no longer available at that price, altho perhaps it will get revived for Black Friday?

 

[mike100]

I just got the Onkyo TX NR 656 for $316 on Amazon, no tax and free shipping. Missed the $249 on BestBuy, they sold out but I would have had to pay tax there so I lost about 50 bucks by taking too long.

The reason I got the 656 is because I did a comparison with the RZ710 and there is virtually no difference. It's an upgrade on what I have and I like Onkyo, so I'm happy. I appreciate your recommendations though, thank you.

https://www.cnet.com/products/onkyo-tx-nr656/preview/