So...let me get in on this. My pre/pro has 7.1 multich analog inputs...no hdmi although I don't care because it's a really good unit (Boston Acoustics...same as Outlaw 990 or Sherwood Newcastle) and I run my hdmi directly to pj. Anyways, if/when I connect the new Oppo via these analogs I would use the Oppo's bm rather than the pre/pro? Does the use of analogs bypass the prepro bm and utilizes the settings within the Oppo? I am not certain if the bm in my prepro is for analog and digital...hhmmm? I think when I am in setup mode with the prepro and listening to a multich cd via analogs and choose different xover settings like say between 80 or 60hz...it makes the change. I'll have to check that out again. My memory is fading. Is there any difference in sq between the 7.1 analogs or hdmi? And finally, just to be totally clear, I can receive the DD True HD and DTS MA through the new Oppo as it decodes/processes it before sending via the analog outs?
It is my understanding that when you run Multichannel inputs into a Pre/pro or receiver, that the player itself passes the signal directly through and to your speakers. Unless your receiver has a LFE option in your multi-channel, the player itself will be handling bass management. The Oppo is set at 80hz, so if your receiver/pre/pro doesn't allow BM of multi-channel, than the Oppo would take over..
With HDMI, the signal coming into a Pre/Pro is in a digital format. Until HDMI, Optical and Coax cables didn't allow enough information through to allow HD Audio. With HDMI it now does, but the signal is purely digital. The DACs in your Pre/Pro must then convert it to an Analog signal and out to your speakers.
With Multichannel, the player is already sending a pure Analog signal to your Pre-Pro, which basically puts it in a bypass mode and sends the signal out to your speakers. Some receivers allow you to do bass management by consolidating all 5.1 or 7.1 channels into one and sending an LFE into the sub to allow bass control. Others don't.
Bottom line though, is if you have a good Pre/Pro and don't care about video upscaling and video conversion, you can still get HD Audio with multichannel outputs, thereby alleviating the need to upgrade. Some people say that HDMI is better quality, but if you set up your BR player, or play with the bass management if your AVR or pre-pro allows it, there should be little to no difference.
I am actually getting an Arcam AVR350, due to the excellent sound quality of the unit. For the money, I don't believe that Yamaha, Denon and Onkyo can compete with the 2 channel stereo reproduction of the Arcam and I can still take advantage of the Blu-ray HD formats with the multichannel inputs. As far as HDMI inputs, the Arcam has 2, but they are straight video passthroughs. That's fine with me though. I can connect 2 devices into the Arcam and my TV has another 4. That leaves me with plenty of connections and my universal harmony touch screen remote will change the video inputs on my Tv..
All my TV signals are already digital and fairly high quality. If I want upscaling, I'll spend $500 and get an Anchor Bay DVDO, which does a much better job with its scaling than any receiver I've seen...
