OPTICAL ADVICE?

[rpgonzalez]

<font color='#000000'>Some guy was telling me that sometimes the d/a converter in the CD unit is better than the d/a converter in the pre-amp. SO it stands to reason that using analog RCA's would thus yield a better sound because you are using the CD players converter instead of the receivers converter. What do you think.

I say horsepuckey, cuz the loss of signal would outweigh the benefits. &nbsp;My system is an H/K AVR500 with nak. cd player</font>

 

[Audioholics]

<font color='#000000'>Maybe if you have a $5000 CD player and only a $500 receiver... and $500 cables, and a line conditioner...

Personally, I think any top of the line or decent receiver will have better d/a conversion than a $200 CD player.</font>

 

[RLA]

<font color='#000000'>Hi
I agree,why not test both on your system?
Run your optical cable to an open port &nbsp;DVD or ?
and then run a set of analog cables to the CD input
Both can be connected at the same time
then just switch inputs on the HK 500 for compairison
keep in mind that there will be a net DB increase
when switching from digital to analog you will need
to compensate by turning the volume down to do a fair compairison
Ray</font>

 

[rpgonzalez]

<font color='#000000'>I did do an a/b and preferred the optical. I was wondering what other people had to say.</font>

 

[Audioholics]

<font color='#000000'>When I did that test on my home system the difference was astounding. So much so, that I wondered if all CD players analogue outputs were that bad, or if mine was an oddity.</font>

 

[RLA]

<font color='#000000'>Ha!
I knew that is what you guys would say &nbsp;
the difference is amazing
yes most Analog outs on mid-fi and lower
CD/DVD players are that bad &nbsp;however I am currently
trying a new HTPC audio card that may surpass
the DACs in my DA5ES with some tweeking &nbsp;
and cost is less than $400 i'll keep you posted
for now use the digital outputs on your DVD or CD
player if you have a decent receiver or pre-pro
&nbsp; &nbsp;

Happy Listening</font>