Difference in hooking up a SACD player through iLink or Analog outs?

[TeABaG_]

This may be a dumb question so forgive me
What are the major benefits to hooking up an SACD player via iLink rather than analog 5.1 sound? They should both give true 5.1 sound correct? Anything else that an iLink connection would provide? Thanks.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

1. simplified connection

2. no signal loss from the D-A-D conversion

 

[TeABaG_]

Yeah I figured them but wasn't sure if there was something really major that I would lose by hooking it up this way. Thanks

 

[j_garcia]

2. no signal loss from the D-A-D conversion

There's no secondary A-D if it stays analog. If you use multichannel inputs on the receiver, most receivers do not apply bass management or other speaker settings to these inputs. Only a few receivers I've seen do apply digital bass management and re-digitize the signal causing this issue.

It's definitely a lot simpler, and probably less expensive, to use the digital connection though.

 

[buckyg4]

Use the analog outputs of the component with the best sounding DACs.

 

[Moonraker]

You might want to check if your receiver's settings for channel output level, etc. remain in place when playing "EXT. IN" signals. Otherwise your DVD / SACD player might be able to control the analog out output level.

 

[j_garcia]

The player HAS to control the output levels, it's an analog signal. All players that have the ability to output via multichannel analog will have the adjustments built into them by default because not all receivers have the ability to adjust the levels of those inputs.

 

[bobbydigital]

analog cable quality?

Does anyone know how much of sound quality difference there would be betwwen using expensive analog cables from big names over cheaper no name cables? the cables use to connect my sacd player are cheap but they have gold plated ends and the cable is about 1/4 thick. has anyone upgraded from cheaper cables on the sacd player and noticed anythingsignificant?

 

[BostonMark]

I have wondered that myself. I couldn't afford a receiver /dvd-a/sacd player combo that supported a digital 5.1 connection, and I would also like to know if there is some inherent improvement in sound, because the companies certainly charge enough for it. I haven't seen any lower end receivers that offer a digital link for sacd and dvd-a, even though theoretically a firewire should be capable of handling the signal.

 

[eirepaul]

Blue Jeans Cables

I have found these cables to be the best value out there for all connections. They are very well constructed and very reasonably priced. I can't say I have done a thorough comparison with other more expensive cables, but I am more than satisfied with their performance for their cost.