Audio Processing/Decoding Question

[Fargo]

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

 

[jostenmeat]

Does the current configuration get me the new HD audio format decoding via the Blu-Ray disc player?

Yes, it should be AFAIK. Your settings will be taking place in the player's menu. That includes bass mgmt as well, let alone other choices pertinent to HD audio.

You won't have any lights/logos pop on receiver of course; everything has been decoded already.

 

[Fargo]

Sorry, what does AFAIK mean?

So, my Krell surround pre/pro is now just an expensive connector for my amplifier audio inputs? Would I be better off to use a digital audio output connection from the Blu-Ray disc player to the surround pre/pro, as opposed to my current configuration? Forgoing any of the new HD audio formats.

 

[jostenmeat]

Sorry, what does AFAIK mean?

use google. seriously. two seconds, if you can't find, I absolutely promise to tell you immediately.

So, my Krell surround pre/pro is now just an expensive connector for my amplifier audio inputs? Would I be better off to use a digital audio output connection from the Blu-Ray disc player to the surround pre/pro, as opposed to my current configuration? Forgoing any of the new HD audio formats.

That's for you to decide. Forgoing any of the HD audio formats... then of course I'd use SPDIF. Why the heck would you opt for m-ch analogs if it wasn't for the unpacked advanced codecs.

 

[Fargo]

Analog guy stumbling through this digital world...thanks!

 

[jostenmeat]

Analog guy stumbling through this digital world...thanks!

I hear ya. Leave em both connected I suppose. Digital will be easier, for sure. I also believe that for most movies, the differences will be subtle, if even discernable.

Leave the mch analogs in just in case you are listening to some music/concert Blurays. Or you can just play between both. I've done that before, and I could not tell the difference with some movie samples, when comparing mch analogs vs SPDIF.

edit: then again, fiddling with the BDP's menu, if you need to frequently change between the two types of outputs, could be rather annoying... *if the BDP necessitates that of course*

 

[zumbo]

I tried the analog thing with my Marantz BD8002. It's cool and all, but it bypasses all of the features I dig about my Yamaha receiver. Laugh if you want, but you just can't beat a Yamaha receiver as a pre-pro.

Down-mix is not what you want to choose.

On my unit, this is what I did.

Connections: HDMI-TV/ 7.1analog-receiver/Digital coax-receiver

HDMI audio set to-Audio Mute

7.1ch Audio Out set to-Mulit-Channel(Not down-mix)

Bass Enhancer-Set to ON.

LFE set to +10dB

Speakers set to SMALL.

Crossover set to 60.(You may prefer different)

Recalibrate channel level, and delay.

Everything else is left at factory settings.

After all of this, I bet you prefer the DD/DTS digital coax. I disliked bypassing my receivers processing so much, I have ordered a new RX-Z7. It will be the new pre-pro for my system, and I will just utilize HDMI.

EDIT: Toggle between Multi-Channel Input and digital via m/c input button on my remote.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Analog guy stumbling through this digital world...thanks!

**hee**hee.

I recently went from 24 Analog cables to 4 Digital (HDMI) cables.

I think both Analog & Digital are great. There is nothing wrong with analog. But after you compare them and they both sound the same, why bother with the inconvenience of analog?

For one thing, now I know exactly which sound codec I'm listening to without having to press that AUDIO button on the BD player because the receiver reads "DTS-HD MSTR" or "DTS-HD HR" or "DOLBY TRUEHD" or "LPCM", etc.

And except for the few SACD/DVD-A, which I hardly listen to anymore, I now enjoy uncompressed music (44 kHz/16 bit WAV) on a 1TB external hard drive conncected to the receiver via UBS port. Every single CD and a few SACD Hybrid discs I own are now on my hard drive totally uncompressed.

With the convenience and with Digital sounding every bit as awesome as Analog, why bother with Analog - unless you just think it's cool.

 

[zumbo]

With the convenience and with Digital sounding every bit as awesome as Analog, why bother with Analog - unless you just think it's cool.

Where are the tube gear guys? This is really going to P!$$ them off.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Where are the tube gear guys? This is really going to P!$$ them off.

**hee**hee

Well, tubes are great too and some people think they look cool too. I don't think so. But like they say - different strokes for different folks.

I thought of something interesting the other day while playing my uncompressed WAV music on the external HD. It was some Amy Winehouse music, which is my wife's CD.

But I loved the way the songs sounded. Digital uncompressed and all. It can't be true, but I thought I actually liked the sound of it better than Analog.

Surely there is no difference. This is compared to the actual CD playing on my Denon 5910CI + PMA-2000IVR ANALOG. But I thought the bass sounded less HEAVY or bloated or something this time. The settings are the same - Pure Direct via Receiver versus Source Direct via Analog PMA-2000IVR. Listening volume are the same. It was NOT an A/B blinded test or anything. But I just thought it sounded better this time.

Bottom line is, I definitely canNOT tell any "Negative" or Adverse differences between the sound from my Receiver vs the sound from Analogs like PMA-2000IVR or Acurus RL11 + 200X3 amps.

 

[zumbo]

This may help in your testing: