SACD: HDMI vs Analogue for 5.1 and 7.1 with Oppo BDP 105 or UDP 205

[jmalecki05]

I am brand new to SACD and hoping you all can help me out.

My receiver (Yamaha Avantage RX 1060) does not have analogue outs for 5.1/ 7.1; so I am limited to HDMI for SACD listening.

For playback on the OPPO audiophile models, is there an advantage to SACD listening with the analogue outs?

I know this is a very specific and subjective question, but I am having mild concerns that I did not purchase a receiver with 7.1 analogue outs. I wouldn’t be upgrading my Oppo BDP 103 until I purchase a 4K TV (which would likely be for at least a year).

Thanks
Joseph.

 

[j_garcia]

Yes there is, since the Oppos will almost always have better DACs for SACD than an AVR. I have always used the analog outs until now where my Pre has no multichannel analog input and I miss having them. What you will give up however is the far superior bass management and EQ of the AVR.

 

[2channel lover]

I am brand new to SACD and hoping you all can help me out.

My receiver (Yamaha Avantage RX 1060) does not have analogue outs for 5.1/ 7.1; so I am limited to HDMI for SACD listening.

For playback on the OPPO audiophile models, is there an advantage to SACD listening with the analogue outs?

I know this is a very specific and subjective question, but I am having mild concerns that I did not purchase a receiver with 7.1 analogue outs. I wouldn’t be upgrading my Oppo BDP 103 until I purchase a 4K TV (which would likely be for at least a year).

Thanks
Joseph.

I have the 205 connected several ways including the dedicated audio hdmi option, dedicated 2 ch analog, 7.1 analog.

SACD...which sounds better HDMI or Analog?

It's closer than I thought it was going to be, but the analog circuitry sounds richer, more bass...I dare say more natural, that goes for the multichannel SACDs too but I'm not sure if I would be fretting over not having the 7.1 option on your AVR. The beauty of the Oppo205 is supposed be the new analog DACs, but they also upgraded the HDMI connection with an improved anti-jutter feature. With the 205, a little more airy than analog, but multi-channel SACDs sound pretty good via the hdmi connection too.

Now...you don't have 7.1 analog, but you do have several analog options for analog stereo, Audio1, 2, etc. you can play SACDs on your 103 one of those RCA jacks.

 

[2channel lover]

Yes there is, since the Oppos will almost always have better DACs for SACD than an AVR. I have always used the analog outs until now where my Pre has no multichannel analog input and I miss having them. What you will give up however is the far superior bass management and EQ of the AVR.

You know where I find the HDMI connection better on my Oppo?...streaming via the USB connection...some music sound better via hdmi vs analog.

 

[PENG]

I am brand new to SACD and hoping you all can help me out.

My receiver (Yamaha Avantage RX 1060) does not have analogue outs for 5.1/ 7.1; so I am limited to HDMI for SACD listening.

For playback on the OPPO audiophile models, is there an advantage to SACD listening with the analogue outs?

I know this is a very specific and subjective question, but I am having mild concerns that I did not purchase a receiver with 7.1 analogue outs. I wouldn’t be upgrading my Oppo BDP 103 until I purchase a 4K TV (which would likely be for at least a year).

Thanks
Joseph.

The RX-A1060 has the ESS Sabre ES9006A DAC chip. That chip has better specs than the CS4382 in the Oppo BDP-103. So in your case I would just stick with HDMI. I have the BDP-105 and I won't bother using analog inputs either, too much efforts for no gains.

 

[j_garcia]

I use the 105 via analog for 2ch, but now use HDMI for multichannel. The 103 I'd say is comparable if not some of the higher model AVRs will have as good or better DACs, and as Peng notes is the case here. You should be OK with HDMI.

 

[jmalecki05]

Thank you all for your responses. I am placing my order for some SACD's today and will begin testing this weekend. In the meantime, I will be testing red book cd's 2 channel analog vs HDMI. I tested the streaming function using youtube and was very pleased with the results. Also tested audio via USB and was thrilled.