PS3 with latest software kills my Pioneer Elite DV79 avi in SACD playback

[TRZ06]

I am really surprised my this.

I am not an expert when it comes to all the specs of the systems, but I am surprised that my $600 PS3 sounds crisper and clearer over playback of SACDs then my $1,000 Pioneer DV79.

Not only that but the PS3 is running my SACD's (including multi-channel over HDMI thru my Anthem AVM50) while the DV79 requires 6 analog cables.

Anybody know why??

 

[EJ1]

I don't think my PS3 has SACD playback capability.

 

[GlocksRock]

The 40 gig, and new 80 gig PS3 versions are not SACD capable.

 

[The 7th Taylor]

I'll just refer to this thread...

 

[alexsound]

I don't think my PS3 has SACD playback capability.

The original PS3, 60 gig version does have SACD capability via HDMI.

 

[j_garcia]

I think it means the DACs in the Pioneer just aren't that good, or the digital PCM feed via HDMI to the AVM50 is just a cleaner way to go. Make sure you are comparing at similar levels, because even with just a few dB difference, most people will people will pick the one that sounds louder as sounding better.

 

[DMD123]

I have an 80gig PS3 that outputs SACD out the HDMI. To me it just sounds a little brighter than my Marantz DV7600, so my first thought was that it was better sounding or clearer. But after listening a little while I think the Marantz has more of a smoothness and warmth to it than the PS3.

I recently got a Lexicon RT-20, but I have not put it up against the PS3 yet. The Lexicon is supposed to have an awesome analog out, so we will see. That is a future test.

Where The PS3 does beat the Marantz hands down is in speed of control. You can go from the CD layer to SACD stereo/multi very quickly and smoothly. The Marantz is sluggish in comparison.

For what the PS3 with the SACD is capable of I do hold it in respect. Its not the end all be all, but Sony made a pretty awesome machine for the money.

 

[TRT]

I am really surprised my this.

I am not an expert when it comes to all the specs of the systems, but I am surprised that my $600 PS3 sounds crisper and clearer over playback of SACDs then my $1,000 Pioneer DV79.

Not only that but the PS3 is running my SACD's (including multi-channel over HDMI thru my Anthem AVM50) while the DV79 requires 6 analog cables.

Anybody know why??

I would think that the DSD remains in the digital domain.

 

[TLS Guy]

I am really surprised my this.

I am not an expert when it comes to all the specs of the systems, but I am surprised that my $600 PS3 sounds crisper and clearer over playback of SACDs then my $1,000 Pioneer DV79.

Not only that but the PS3 is running my SACD's (including multi-channel over HDMI thru my Anthem AVM50) while the DV79 requires 6 analog cables.

Anybody know why??

We are at it again this month. SACD is not PCM based. It requires a DSD decoder. You can not process in DSD. Therefore there is no bass or level management.

If these functions are possible then there has been a PCM conversion.

To transmit to your receiver via HDMI there has to have been a PCM conversion.

In order to hear DSD, not faked and converted to PCM which is typical, the player must output via analog or pass the signal to one of the few receivers that has a DSD decoder.

The Marantz gives you the choice of out putting from the DSD decoder or PCM decoder. There is no level or bass management from the DSD decoder.

If you want level or bass management to listen from a DSD decoder, you have to design and do it yourself in the analog domain.

There is endless confusion about SACD. It really is not very useful, and in my view not worth the bother for most people of having separate decoders.

Most people are listening to PCM when playing SACD, but at higher bit and sampling rates than CD. However a recent good study published in AES showed that listeners could detect no improvement above CD bit and sampling rates. Of course CD is two channel and SACD gives the possibility of discrete five channel audio.

 

[gus6464]

To transmit to your receiver via HDMI there has to have been a PCM conversion.

Actually that is not entirely correct. There are players out there like the Oppo 980H which will pass an untouched DSD signal through the HDMI, and as long as you have a receiver with DSD discrete DACs, the signal is never converted to PCM. There is a higher end Pioneer Elite universal player that will do this as well. The PS3 does convert the signal to PCM though before passing it through the HDMI. It will also convert to PCM when using the 2ch analog outputs as well.

 

[TLS Guy]

Actually that is not entirely correct. There are players out there like the Oppo 980H which will pass an untouched DSD signal through the HDMI, and as long as you have a receiver with DSD discrete DACs, the signal is never converted to PCM. There is a higher end Pioneer Elite universal player that will do this as well. The PS3 does convert the signal to PCM though before passing it through the HDMI. It will also convert to PCM when using the 2ch analog outputs as well.

Look at my fourth paragraph, that is what I said. I said to pass SACD to his receiver there had to be a PCM conversion.

I any event, even if the receiver has a DSD decoder, there is still no level, delay or bass management without PCM conversion.

 

[Biggiesized]

I am really surprised my this.

I am not an expert when it comes to all the specs of the systems, but I am surprised that my $600 PS3 sounds crisper and clearer over playback of SACDs then my $1,000 Pioneer DV79.

Not only that but the PS3 is running my SACD's (including multi-channel over HDMI thru my Anthem AVM50) while the DV79 requires 6 analog cables.

Anybody know why??

The PS3 supposedly has an excellent DSD -> 24-bit 176.4 kHz PCM dithering technique. Check the Bit Mapping setting; 3 reportedly sounds the best.

http://www.ps3sacd.com/faq.html#_Toc177216810