Sorry for the length of this in advance. I just upgraded my systems video equipment to High Definition this weekend and now I have a theoretical question concerning my audio decoding. As a result of the upgrade, I now have HDMI between the HDTV and Blu-Ray disc player. I am still using my surround preamp/processor and separate power amplifiers for the audio portion of my system. In order to accomplish this, I connected the Blu-Ray disc player’s 7.1 analog output to the pre/pro’s 7.1 analog input.
The Blu-Ray disc player has a setting to select the AUDIO OUT (7.1 Ch.) for multichannel input to A/V receiver or amplifier (my 7.1 pre/pro). The AUDIO OUT setting that applies is DTS DOWN MIX (Lt/Rt), which seems to do what I need to get audio surround decoding.
DTS DOWN MIX (Lt/Rt)
DTS-HD Master Audio signals, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio signals or DTS Digital Surround audio signals converted to linear PCM audio signals are converted into 2-channel signals compatible with Dolby Surround for output (when the connected A/V receiver or amplifier, etc., is compatible with Dolby Pro Logic, the A/V receiver or amplifier outputs the linear PCM audio signals as surround audio signals).
The surround preamp/processor 7.1 analog audio input description states that these single-ended analog inputs are analog pass-through inputs with no mode processing capabilities. This configuration seems to be under utilizing the capabilities of my surround pre/pro.
Question: Would I be better off to use a digital audio output connection from the Blu-Ray disc player and surround pre/pro, as opposed to my current configuration?
I understand that in order to get the highest quality audio signals (Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, etc.) you have to use HDMI and my surround pre/pro does not support. Does the current configuration get me the new HD audio format decoding via the Blu-Ray disc player?
My System (11/24/2008)
Display
* Pioneer Elite (Kuro) PRO-151FD 60” Flat Panel Plasma
Source Components
* Blu-Ray Disc Player – Pioneer Elite BDP-05FD
* Media Manager – Escient FIREBALL DVDM-300
* DVD/CD/SACD Player – Sony DVP-CX777ES (Changer-1 CD Collection)
* DVD/CD/SACD Player – Sony DVP-CX777ES (Changer-2 CD Collection)
* Game Console – XBOX 360
A/V Controller
* SURROUND PREAMP/Processor- Krell Home Theater Standard 7.1
Power amplifier
* 2-Channel – Rotel RB-1090S
* 5-Channel – Rotel RMB-1095S
* Zone-2 – Audio Source AMP-200
Speakers
* Main (front) – Sonus Faber Grand Piano HOME
* Center – Sonus Faber Solo HB
* Subwoofer – Velodyne VA-1250X
* Side Surround (IN WALL) – Niles MP-650
* Rear Surround – B&W DM602 S2
* Zone-2a (DECK) – Infinity Outrigger Jr.
* Zone-2b (GARAGE) - Polkaudio Monitor 30
Miscellaneous
* Universal Remote AEROS MX-850
* Universal Remote MRF-350RFS, RFX-150 & RFX-250
* Cables – Monster, Audio Source, Tributaries, Tara Labs
* Home Network - Lynksys cable modem, router & switch
* Whole House Surge Protection – Eaton/Cutler Hammer CHSP