SACD output question

[bogrod]

Hi I had a question regarding a new SACD/DVD-A player. I am planning on hooking this up to a stereo receiver rather than a home theater receiver. My manual does not appear to be very specific regarding this point. Of course, if I was hooking this player up to a receiver with 6 channel direct inputs, I would place them accordingly on the receiver. If I am only using stereo do I gain any kind of audible advantage by hooking the player up from the 5.1 direct outputs front right and left, versus the players "standard" stereo output? Thanks in advance.

 

[Adam]

Hi. This is just my speculation, but I would think that you'd want to use the stereo outputs. I'd think that the front left/right outputs for the multichannel audio outputs wouldn't contain all of the music because the player would be outputting the music for all six channels (including the sub). I think that you'd lose information by using those outputs instead of the stereo outputs.

If you let us know the model number of your new player, I'd be happy to check out the owner's manual to give you a second set of eyes on it.

 

[bogrod]

Hi thanks for the really fast reply.

Denon DVD-1940CI

 

[Adam]

I forgot to say - welcome to the forum!

I'll go check out the manual now.

 

[Adam]

After reading the manual, I'm going to stick with my original thoughts because I didn't see anything to make me think otherwise. I don't use SACDs, though, so hopefully someone with experience will chime in here.

There are two things that I'd like to add. First, it seems that you'll want/need to select the two-channel area of an SACD if you use the stereo analog outputs. Second, you could always try both types of connections and decide which set you like the best. That way, you can get some more fun time with the new toy.

 

[j_garcia]

I don't think it makes any difference. On my 2900, you would get stereo whether you used the stereo analog out or the FR + FL when the discs are played in 2CH/stereo. If you are going to be using the Oppo BDP-983 there could be a difference because the two outputs use different DACs.

 

[Davemcc]

If you go to "speaker setting for analog audio" (Page 30), you can select "none" for the center, sub and surrounds. This way, the multi channel outputs will downmix everything to stereo anyway. I don't think that there will be any difference in sound since it will be performing the same downmixing function that it needs to do for the regular stereo outputs.

 

[j_garcia]

There's no need to downmix for SACD if it has a stereo track, simply choose that track. From my experience, discs that don't have a stereo track are rare.

 

[djreef]

Yea, but that can be problematic if you have no video source for that particular rig (ie music only). Just stick with the stereo outputs and erase all doubt. Besides the mix will auto default to 2 channel with almost all SACD's and DVD-As with this output option, so you don't have to mess with the menu. It does help to catch the goofball outlyers though, by choosing the 2-channel only function in the menu - even if this means that you hook the player up to a TV somewhere else in the house to accomplish this, then put it back in the source system afterword.

DJ

 

[PENG]

There's no need to downmix for SACD if it has a stereo track, simply choose that track. From my experience, discs that don't have a stereo track are rare.

I agree 100%. It does not matter which set of outputs to use to play the stereo track of a SACD.

 

[bogrod]

Thaks everyone for your replies. I just decided to plug into the stereo output.