Trying to understand AUDIO RESOLUTION and how it relates to our disc players

[Starmax]

The Denon 3910 has bass management... also does levels and speaker distance. I would bet that MDS's first answer is the reason I prefer the analog outs over D-Link. To me, it's not a subtle difference, and if I had either a dog or a wife, I'm sure they'd hear a big difference too.

 

[MACCA350]

According to Oppo, my 981 does include BM via analog outputs. It's a non-adjustable 80hz x-over, but it does exist. I'm also able to change speaker level and distance fields in my reciever menu. All other fields/dsp modes are disabled.

99% of receivers don't digitize the 6/8channel analogue inputs which means that the receiver only applies volume controls. This means that distance(etc) in the receiver will not have any effect on the 6/8channel analogue inputs and you will have to rely on the player for all this.

cheers

 

[fmw]

the discussion on the thread gets a little fuzzy.
For example: Do all players sound the same when connected digitally, regardless of price, brand etc? Still confused there.

Yes. If connected digitally, then you are using a D/A converter that is somewhere other than player itself. Prior to the digital to analog conversion, it is data, not sound. One D/A converter may work better than another but only subtley so. In my own experience the differences between an expensive and cheap one are extremely difficult to resolve in a blind listening test.

What about these modified players? Even the Oppo is offered by some companies in a mod?

The only meaningful mod would be the D/A converter and it would likely not be worth the trouble or money. An expensive player might be better built physically and last longer but it isn't likely to sound any better.

Overall, I think what I am hearing is; that regarding a player - there is a very good chance that I will not be able to tell the difference between a cheapie or a suped up mid-fi or even a $6k CD player made by Musical Fidelity. Still seeking help. Please refer to the initial post.

Most likely not in sound. An expensive player may be built better as I mentioned above and it may have some "cool" factor but it is a good place to save money on the system. As mentioned above, room acoustics are #1 for affecting the sound of your system and speakers are a distant second. Everything else is fairly trivial.

 

[krabapple]

The Denon 3910 has bass management... also does levels and speaker distance. I would bet that MDS's first answer is the reason I prefer the analog outs over D-Link. To me, it's not a subtle difference, and if I had either a dog or a wife, I'm sure they'd hear a big difference too.

The first answer -- tha the Denon system does analog better than digital -- was the least likely. If the effect is so obvious, I would still bet you have some settings that are affecting analog but not digital, or digital but not analog -- especially since by your own admission, this is all rather confusing to you. Alternately, it's all in your mind, and would require blind switching to determine if it's a real audible difference.

 

[krabapple]

99% of receivers don't digitize the 6/8channel analogue inputs which means that the receiver only applies volume controls. This means that distance(etc) in the receiver will not have any effect on the 6/8channel analogue inputs and you will have to rely on the player for all this.

cheers

As I understand it, digital distance compensation (delay) is much more compute-intensive than bass management, which is why it's sometimes not offered for sources with high sample rates, like DVD-A and SACD, even if bass management is. Ditto some other DSP like Dolby Pro Logic II.

That's one reason I went with a system that could pass everything digitally (Oppo 970HD), and let a high-powered AVR do the heavy computational lifting (Pioneer Elite line).

 

[Starmax]

The first answer -- tha the Denon system does analog better than digital -- was the least likely. If the effect is so obvious, I would still bet you have some settings that are affecting analog but not digital, or digital but not analog -- especially since by your own admission, this is all rather confusing to you. Alternately, it's all in your mind, and would require blind switching to determine if it's a real audible difference.

Hmmm, good point. I agree more with your alternate scenario. ..it IS all in my mind. But then, what isn't? Instead of following that ontological path of no return, let's assume the difference between my perceived preference for analog is what you suggested...that there are settings affecting the analog playback but not digital, and vice versa. If this is the case, I have no idea what those setting would be. The Ext-In (analog) mode gives preference to my DVD player to control bass management, speaker distance, etc. As MDS mentioned, "It's possible that the player does a slightly better job of digital to analog conversion than the receiver." I thought this observation made sense, because my DVD 3910 is a more refined and sophisticated (read expensive) piece of gear than the 3805. Switching over to the digital D-Link connection gives all the control to the reciever, which apparently doesn't have the same quality DACs and the player.

 

[MACCA350]

Hmmm, good point. I agree more with your alternate scenario. ..it IS all in my mind. But then, what isn't? Instead of following that ontological path of no return, let's assume the difference between my perceived preference for analog is what you suggested...that there are settings affecting the analog playback but not digital, and vice versa. If this is the case, I have no idea what those setting would be. The Ext-In (analog) mode gives preference to my DVD player to control bass management, speaker distance, etc. As MDS mentioned, "It's possible that the player does a slightly better job of digital to analog conversion than the receiver." I thought this observation made sense, because my DVD 3910 is a more refined and sophisticated (read expensive) piece of gear than the 3805. Switching over to the digital D-Link connection gives all the control to the reciever, which apparently doesn't have the same quality DACs and the player.

If you have the 3805, it does NO "speaker distance" on EXT.IN, It only does volume control.....and thats it....nothing else, because it does not digitize the EXT.IN

cheers