Apple TV 4 to Bryston bda2 DAC Sound questions

[Brad Parsons]

1. 
   Hi there, first post to the forum. Here's the background story.
   
   I have an Apple TV4 connected to a HDMI audio extractor. Fiber Optic connected to a Bryston DAC input and RCA output connected to Yamaha 6290 Receiver which is connected to a Bryston 9BSST Power Amp. The HDMI out from the extractor is connected to the Yamaha Receiver as well.
   
   I've found the audio select option on the receiver to select analog audio from the Apple TV 4 input instead of HDMI.
   
   I'm playing FLAC files but my understanding is Apple TV 4 only transmits 48khz. The ATV4 is connected via ethernet to an Apple Time Capsule HDD where the files are stored.
   
   My issue is I can't really tell a difference between HDMI and analog. I was hoping to achieve this "warm studio" like feel that I've read DAC's provide.
   
   Any ideas as to why I'm not hearing a difference in sound quality?
   
   My speaker setup are Klipsch reference RF-82 towers, Klipsch 15inch powered sub with same brand/model rear channels and centre channels. I understand the towers are quite sensitive and don't require much power to push them so obviously the power amp is overkill until I upgrade my speakers. I figured I start with heart of the system and work my way up from there.
   
   Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Latent]

Your AVR already has very high-quality burr brown dac's built in that are quite capable of very accurate results. They may not be perfect but you would need a very good room and speakers to have a chance to hear any issues.

Most audible differences like this warm studio feel you are talking about are going to come from either a new setup that fixes the frequency imbalance from their old system so it sounds better or it is just altering the sound like another eq in the signal path giving a boost to a frequency range. Many people also hear what they want or expect to hear so count this experience as a positive learning experience as you have not been sucked into this trap.

You just need to make sure the dac you use is good enough so it won't be the week link in your audio chain and then you can stop worring about it and concentrate on the important parts that you can change to get a better experience.

Listen to different speakers to find some high quality ones that you like and work with the music sources you listen to. Speaker placment can have a big effect so play with that. Room has a big part to play so treat your room where possible. And make sure your source material is up to scratch.

Another thing to try just for the hell of it is to try running the dac output direct to the power amp and bypass the AVR. I don't think it will make a big or noticeable improvement in which case just concentrate on better speakers. If you prefer this setup then maybe look into better equipment options.

You may also want to test with something other than the ATV4 and it's fixed sample rate output. Even a cheap chromecast audio could be used to test 96/24 output.

 

[everettT]

1. 
   My issue is I can't really tell a difference between HDMI and analog. I was hoping to achieve this "warm studio" like feel that I've read DAC's provide.
   
   Any ideas as to why I'm not hearing a difference in sound quality?
   
   My speaker setup are Klipsch reference RF-82 towers, Klipsch 15inch powered sub with same
   
   Any help would be appreciated.

Klipsch and warm are not usually mentioned together

 

[Brad Parsons]

Klipsch and warm are not usually mentioned together

touché my friend...... working my way up. Got them for cost, couldn't really pass them up for what they are. I know they're not high end but they pound pretty good and pretty good detail for the money.

The Bryston 9Bsst AMP pushes them pretty good

 

[Brad Parsons]

Your AVR already has very high-quality burr brown dac's built in that are quite capable of very accurate results. They may not be perfect but you would need a very good room and speakers to have a chance to hear any issues.

Most audible differences like this warm studio feel you are talking about are going to come from either a new setup that fixes the frequency imbalance from their old system so it sounds better or it is just altering the sound like another eq in the signal path giving a boost to a frequency range. Many people also hear what they want or expect to hear so count this experience as a positive learning experience as you have not been sucked into this trap.

You just need to make sure the dac you use is good enough so it won't be the week link in your audio chain and then you can stop worring about it and concentrate on the important parts that you can change to get a better experience.

Listen to different speakers to find some high quality ones that you like and work with the music sources you listen to. Speaker placment can have a big effect so play with that. Room has a big part to play so treat your room where possible. And make sure your source material is up to scratch.

Another thing to try just for the hell of it is to try running the dac output direct to the power amp and bypass the AVR. I don't think it will make a big or noticeable improvement in which case just concentrate on better speakers. If you prefer this setup then maybe look into better equipment options.

You may also want to test with something other than the ATV4 and it's fixed sample rate output. Even a cheap chromecast audio could be used to test 96/24 output.

Thanks for the response.

The DAC is a Bryston BDA-2 and has been very highly rated from various publications.
The power amp is the Bryston 9Bsst which also has incredible ratings. We're talking close to $9000 for the two pieces. Clearly my Klipsch best buy specials are inferior and are so sensitive that the power and clarity the amp gives doesn't improve the speakers results..... imo.

I do notice a slight difference in where my ears perceive the instruments from when switching from HDMI to analog sound. Also my sub isn't as boomy in analog as it is hdmi when listening to bass strong recording.

I guess I was just hoping for that "wow what a difference factor" when it is more like "oh yeah it's a tiny bit better"

I've been switching back and forth on different recordings between analog and hdmi. Mainly the instruments seem more detailed. Also, I agree the ATV4 locked in output is limiting me. it's just nice to have one unit that does everything, (movies, music, netflix, apps, games for the kids)

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Brad, What you are doing is putting formula one slick tires (expensive electronics) on a contractor's truck (klipsch speaker) and expect it to go 200mph. Oh Noes it doesn't???
You next idea is to upgrade the spoiler. Even if this is the best recommended spoiler if the world

 

[sterling shoote]

You're using the AppleTV as a means for wireless from computer to home theatre, right? Seems to me you've got a lot of needless routing. Why not just get an AirPort Express? You can send out optical S/PDIF from it to your receiver. It will down or up sample the signal to 16/44.1.

 

[DD66000]

Thanks for the response.


I do notice a slight difference in where my ears perceive the instruments from when switching from HDMI to analog sound. Also my sub isn't as boomy in analog as it is hdmi when listening to bass strong recording.

Unless the AVR has separate bass adjustments for different inputs, those bass outputs will be at different levels.
What works for movie soundtrack does not work for music.
So when listening via analog, the bass is most likely too high.

That is why I use a separate pre-amp for analog, which has its own bass management. So the AVR's BM is set for movies, the Parasound P7 BM is set for analog music.