MP3 and A/V Receivers

[Vela]

It appears that most A/V Receivers cannot accept MP3 files via their digital inputs, decode the music, and play it. The only one I have found so far is the Harmon Kardon DPR-2005. Is anyone aware of other A/V Receivers that can decode and play MP3?

 

[j_garcia]

Why would you need the receiver to decode them internally? This is not normally found on a receiver because the MP3s are usually read by the source and passed to the receiver as an appropriate digital or analog signal.

 

[abboudc]

Denon as well as others also make receivers with mp3 built in:
http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/2243.asp

If you're looking for an all-digital path, you may also want to look at the roku soundbridge or slimdevices squeezebox. They'll work with any receiver.

Certain Onkyo receivers also come with 'Net Tune' which lets you connect to the receiver via ethernet.

 

[jcPanny]

What is your source?

A few receiver manufacturers have iPod docs that connect to the receiver and allow for control and charging of the iPod (Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo, etc.). Some models, including the Denon 2807, have network jacks for playing audio files from a PC. Any PC with a digital optical or coax output can play MP3s and transmit them digitally to a PC.

 

[jonnythan]

What are you trying to play?

If you have a computer or MP3 player with digital audio out or line out, you're all set. I have my PC hooked up with a Toslink cable to my low-end Denon and it works great. The computer, MP3 player, or iPod does the processing of the MP3 and just outputs audio, whether digital audio or analog.

 

[Vela]

What I have is a Yamaha MCX-2000 where I store all my music as MP3 files (320kbps). It has analog outputs, in which case is decodes the MP3, converts it to analog and outputs the sound.

I assumed that what the MCX puts out through the digital out port is the MP3 file itself. I am wrong in this assumption?

 

[jcPanny]

Digital audio output.

Your Yamaha Music Server has an optical (toslink) digital output that trasmmits the signal in the PCM format. The same format used by CD players. You can connect this signal to a digital input on any receiver including a Yamaha. It also has wired and wireless network connections you might want to take advantage of.

Yamaha wouldn't not design a music server that is only compatable with an HK receiver.