let me get this dvd-a thing straight

[big_red_59]

Now I have searched for this on the site. So let me know if I have this thing figured out. I'm new to the dvd-a thing as there wasn't really anything out that caught my eye before, but now there seems to be a lot more titles. Now for the question - If I understand this correctly - if I want to listen to them I could use either the digital or analog connections. But the best choice would be the 5.1 analog from dvd to reciever if the dvd player was of good quality. In my case until I upgrade my dvd player which is a few year old toshiba sd-4900 wouldn't I get better sound from the digital connection to my reciever which is the NAD 743 using its' DAC's instead. I would think so, but would I lose anything by doing that? Or am I wrong? Thanks.

 

[MACCA350]

The Hi-res DVD-A tracks will not pass over Coax or Optical digital connections(part of their copy protection). To hear them with your player you will need to use the 6 analogue cables and possibly set you player to play the audio part of DVD-A's(in the players setup somewhere), otherwise it will play the video section(ie DD, DTS or PCM tracks), this part seems to be what confuses many people. Have a look through the players manual for DVD-A configuration.

cheers

 

[Hawkeye]

MACCA350 is correct, you need to use the analog connections to hear the DVD-A layer. Until you replace your player, however, you can use the digital connection to hear the DTS or Dolby surround layer, which often sounds quite good. Doing this also gives you the ability to use your receiver's DSP which generally allows you more control of the audio. Also, to give yourself the most choices you may want to consider an inexpensive combo unit which can play both DVD-A's and SACD's.

 

[edwelly]

When I hooked mine up via the 5.1 channels, I was pretty disappointed by the sound. This was due to a lack of bass management features. I opted for the Outlaw ICBM and I haven't looked back since. The ICBM is an awesome device for multi-channel music. Now I only have a SACD player (Sony doesn't like DVD-A) but I would gamble SACD and DVD-A sound very similar.

 

[Geno]

I must agree with most of the previous posts, except for the fact that if you have a higher-end receiver and universal disc player (for instance, a Denon AVR-3805 and Denon DVD-3910) you can transfer the DVD-A and SACD via a digital connection, albeit at a huge price increase. IMHO, the sound quality of DVD-A and SACD are both stunning.

 

[MACCA350]

Geno wrote:

I must agree with most of the previous posts, except for the fact that if you have a higher-end receiver and universal disc player (for instance, a Denon AVR-3805 and Denon DVD-3910) you can transfer the DVD-A and SACD via a digital connection, albeit at a huge price increase. IMHO, the sound quality of DVD-A and SACD are both stunning.

Yes, If you have the Denon 3805 and 3910 (or higher models) and use the Denon Link 3rd edition you can send DVD-A and SACD digitally from player to receiver, other high-end gear use other links that can do it too, but they still will not pass DVD-A or SACD over the standard Coax or Optical digital connections.

cheers