? for 980H Experts on SACD

[XEagleDriver]

A question for any 980H experts which is puzzling me, thanks in advance for answers, ideas, or even a stab at it.

BACKGROUND
A family room audio system with:
a 4.0 set of wall-speakers (no center or sub),
a 980H playing SACD via HDMI into a Yammy RX-V563

Relevant 563 settings
Yammy's Setup/Sound Menu/Speaker Setup adjusted to reflect 4.0 speakers
(center, surround back, and sub all set to NONE)
Setup/Input Menu/Input Assignment set to HDMI
(HDMI light on front panel display is ON, and all 4 speakers are working)

Relevant 980H settings
Sub set to OFF
Front and Surround speakers set to Large,
Digital Audio Output = Raw,
HDMI Audio = Auto,
SACD over HDMI = PCM (563 does not do DSD)

THE QUESTION
During system setup I discovered, I can have the 980H or the 563 parse the center info to the fronts, and would like to know if one method is better or more correct than the other, is center info lost one way, but not the other . . . does it make a difference??

WHAT I SEE IN EACH OPTION

Option 1. In the 980H's Setup Menu, "Speaker Setup Page" set the "Down-mix = 5.1 and set the Center to OFF

When I use this option and play SACDs the Yammy "sees" four input channels (2 x front and 2 x surround). This is indicated by the active channel light display on the right side of the front panel display showing only FR, FL, and SR, SL.

I believe this indicates the Oppo is taking the center channel signal and parsing it to the fronts. Correct?


Option 2. In the 980H's Setup Menu, "Speaker Setup Page" set the "Down-mix = 5.1 and set the Center to ON

When I use this option and play SACDs the Yammy "sees" five channels (2 x front, center, and 2 x surround). This is indicated by the active channel light display on the right side of the front panel display showing all five channels (FR, FL, C, SR, SL).

I believe this indicates the Oppo is sending the center signal separately, and the Yammy is now parsing it to the fronts. Correct?

FWIW: In either case, Dolby or DTS DVD-s send five channels to the Yammy independent of the center speaker settings above.

I do not hear a noticeable difference, I think both methods work--however this room is not real conducive to critical listening (high-mounted wall-speakers, cathedral ceiling, etc.). It is way better than before (i.e. TV speakers) and acceptable to my lady (who vigorously supports my upstairs media/listening room--so not complaining at all!). I just would like it to be set as correctly as possible (an Audio-holic OCD thing maybe??)


Thanks for your synapse application!
XEagleDriver

 

[j_garcia]

I don't think one method is going to be significantly better, or as you've noted, even that different in how they handle distributing the sound to the mains.

 

[XEagleDriver]

J Garcia,

Thanks for the reply. This is actually the 980H you sold me ~1 year ago, works like a champ and we really enjoy it.

Pretty cool to have SACD over HDMI even in our more "pedestrian" 2nd system--which due to a central location we actually use more often.

Finally got a decent HDTV (Panny 37" S1 LCD) to leverage the 980's video capability--quite a combo.


Cheers,
XEagleDriver

 

[j_garcia]

Hey, I thought that was you. Glad it is still working out for you

 

[chidircis]

Hey, I thought that was you. Glad it is still working out for you

I have the same idea with you. Great! Thanks for sharing.
Glad to hear you're using this: I plan to keep it much more aggressively up-to-date than has been the case in the past, but don't hesitate to let me know if you find errors or need clarifications.