Optical or Analog

LitoZacky
LitoZacky Posts: 115
edited June 2010 in Troubleshooting
I am feeding my whole system via an optical cable from Auzen X-fi prelude soundcard. I am planning to upgrade it to Asus D2x. Should I change to analog or stay digital for better sound ?
Speaker: LSi 15
Pre/Pro: Pioneer VSX-9040
Amp: Emotiva XPA-2
Sub: Seaton Submersive HP
TV: Samsung PN50B550
DAC: soon-to-be EE Minimax Dac Plus
Post edited by LitoZacky on
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  • LitoZacky
    LitoZacky Posts: 115
    edited June 2010
    I have decided to try both. I don't want anyone to give opinions that could cause an argument. I am not sure but should I ask mod to delete thread or leave it to die ?
    Speaker: LSi 15
    Pre/Pro: Pioneer VSX-9040
    Amp: Emotiva XPA-2
    Sub: Seaton Submersive HP
    TV: Samsung PN50B550
    DAC: soon-to-be EE Minimax Dac Plus
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,416
    edited June 2010
    I run optical/HDMI for HT and analog for stereo sources...
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited June 2010
    Only digital can feed multi channel sound unless you run each individual channel by itself via analog.
    Jake
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  • helipilotdoug
    helipilotdoug Posts: 1,229
    edited June 2010
    zingo wrote: »
    Only digital can feed multi channel sound unless you run each individual channel by itself via analog.

    Unless you are using HDMI for multi channel sound, using the analog output is the best way to go. The following is taken from the Oppo BDP 83 owners manual. As you can see, you will not get the full benefit using digital coax or optical.
    NOTE
    • Due to bandwidth limitations, high resolution audio formats such as Dolby Digital Plus,
    Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD High Resolution and DTS-HD Master Audio cannot be sent
    through the coaxial or optical digital audio output. A reduced resolution version of the
    same audio track will be output instead. To listen to high resolution audio formats in
    their best quality, please use the HDMI connection if you have a receiver that handles
    HDMI audio (see page 13) or use the multi-channel analog outputs if you do not (see
    page 14).
    • Due to copyright restrictions, SACD audio cannot be sent through the coaxial or
    optical digital audio output. To listen to SACD, please use the HDMI or analog audio
    connections.
    • Due to copyright restrictions and bandwidth limitations, full resolution audio from DVDAudio
    discs cannot be sent through the coaxial or optical digital audio output. To listen
    to DVD-Audio in full resolution, please use the HDMI or analog audio connections.
    Sunfire Theater Grand IV
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature
    SRS 2.1TL
    SDA 2BTL's
    CSiA6
    FXiA4
    FXiA6
    SDA 2A's
    Monitor 10A's
    http://www.douglasconnection.com
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited June 2010
    This is what I use: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132012

    HDMI out to my receiver for HT/gaming, digital coax out to my DAC. Best of both words.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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