AVR or TV to switch inputs?

[lovinthehd]

Well I have connected set up the DVD input on the AVR to take the audio from the Analog input and it is different, I suspect it's not just the DAC in the Oppo but also the decoder chip that Oppo have used, I have found it is better for SACD disks and mainly music but not movies.
I spent a huge amount of time getting speaker positions just right to get a really good sound stage and it is far better in my current home that the last one as it had far too much glass and hard wood floors.

Different is possible, and the biggest reason is generally slightly different levels (we humans tend to prefer something that's a bit louder). DAC is the decoder chip (to turn digital into analog). While the 205 indeed has a fine dac, on its own it's not going to be audibly different from another generally. DAC differences are often measurable, but not likely an audible difference with few exceptions. Just what are the differences you perceive? Have you tried a blinded test, even a simple one? Why would it pick out sacds particularly? Or music? Then make movies sound fine when often movie soundtracks are more demanding?

ps You used the dvd inputs on avr with digital output or analog output from the Oppo?

 

[Phil J N.Z.]

Different is possible, and the biggest reason is generally slightly different levels (we humans tend to prefer something that's a bit louder). DAC is the decoder chip (to turn digital into analog). While the 205 indeed has a fine dac, on its own it's not going to be audibly different from another generally. DAC differences are often measurable, but not likely an audible difference with few exceptions. Just what are the differences you perceive? Have you tried a blinded test, even a simple one? Why would it pick out sacds particularly? Or music? Then make movies sound fine when often movie soundtracks are more demanding?

ps You used the dvd inputs on avr with digital output or analog output from the Oppo?

Used DVD input on AVR with Analog output from the Oppo, I left the Blu Ray input as Digital from the Oppo as for the HDMI I had both inputs mapped the the same HDMI inputs, am Using the AVR as my switch and not the LG TV.
Its nice that Marantz allows you to do this, I spent some time with a sound meter getting volume levels the same by lowering or raising as required at the Oppo.

 

[Trebdp83]

So, are you using the 7.1 analog output ports of the Oppo into the 7.1 CH IN analog ports of the Marantz and simply assigning the HDMI video and the analog 7.1 CH IN audio signals to the DVD input source?

 

[Phil J N.Z.]

So, are you using the 7.1 analog output ports of the Oppo into the 7.1 CH IN analog ports of the Marantz and simply assigning the HDMI video and the analog 7.1 CH IN audio signals to the DVD input source?

Yes that is correct and I can change on the fly from Blu Ray to DVD and you can compare the sound difference easily, one issues that when i turn on the Oppo it sometimes pics DVD as the input and sometimes Blu Ray.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yes that is correct and I can change on the fly from Blu Ray to DVD and you can compare the sound difference easily, one issues that when i turn on the Oppo it sometimes pics DVD as the input and sometimes Blu Ray.

That won't likely be level matched doing it that way....

 

[Trebdp83]

I’d make sure Volume is Fixed in the Oppo and DRC is OFF. Match your crossover settings in the player and receiver and use the two channel R and L analog ports in place of the FR and FL analog ports in the 7.1 section per Oppo.

Will it all result in an audible improvement? Couldn’t say myself. But, if it seems to do so, enjoy it.

 

[Phil J N.Z.]

That won't likely be level matched doing it that way....

Yes it is matched, I used a sound meter and ran the AVR test tone on each channel and noted them down I did not alter anything, then went in to the DVD input that has the 7.1 Analog in mapped to it and used a the same meter in the same position and using the Oppo test tone adjusted the levels to match.

 

[Phil J N.Z.]

I’d make sure Volume is Fixed in the Oppo and DRC is OFF. Match your crossover settings in the player and receiver and use the two channel R and L analog ports in place of the FR and FL analog ports in the 7.1 section per Oppo.
View attachment 62753
Will it all result in an audible improvement? Couldn’t say myself. But, if it seems to do so, enjoy it.

Doing that will only match the front L/R channels where I am using 5.1.
The front Left/Right channels can in the settings in the Oppo can be assigned to the front L/R output in 7.1 analog out but I prefer to leave them as default for when I play stereo CD disks and connect these to the CD input on the AVR.

 

[Trebdp83]

Connecting to the CD analog inputs and using bass management in the receiver will digitize the signal and then convert it back to analog for output. To keep the receiver from doing any processing or digitizing of analog signals, use only the 7.1 CH IN.

 

[Phil J N.Z.]

Connecting to the CD analog inputs and using bass management in the receiver will digitize the signal and then convert it back to analog for output. To keep the receiver from doing any processing or digitizing of analog signals, use only the 7.1 CH IN.

I know that and dont really care at this point.

 

[Trebdp83]

I get it. I stopped caring years ago and stopped chasing overly expensive players and receivers with 7.1 analog ports. It's HDMI all the way these days with the exception of my very cheap turn table. Surprisingly, music over DTS Play-Fi or even Airplay sounds better than HDMI depending on the devices and settings used for playback. Go figure.

 

[Phil J N.Z.]

I get it. I stopped caring years ago and stopped chasing overly expensive players and receivers with 7.1 analog ports. It's HDMI all the way these days with the exception of my very cheap turn table. Surprisingly, music over DTS Play-Fi or even Airplay sounds better than HDMI depending on the devices and settings used for playback. Go figure.

Only reason I don't care about it is I don't really listen to CD's that much any more, iv'e moved on to SACD disks and Blu Ray disks, sound quality is far superior. as for LP's I have a small selection of Mofi and re masters and am pickey as to what I purchase and where from, surprisingly some sound far better than the CD counterparts.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yes it is matched, I used a sound meter and ran the AVR test tone on each channel and noted them down I did not alter anything, then went in to the DVD input that has the 7.1 Analog in mapped to it and used a the same meter in the same position and using the Oppo test tone adjusted the levels to match.

Better than I thought, but still has ways that can go sideways. In the end it is a preference in any case. As to hearing great differences between an SACD or Bluray and CD, that can be result of a particular mix/mastering, or of course just the multich mix, but otherwise there is no particular technical advantage to dsd or a different resolution.