Have I been hurting my sound quality?

Dice144
Dice144 Posts: 14
edited February 2011 in Electronics
"SPDIF is bandwidth-limited. It supports only stereo PCM/DD/DTS, while HDMI supports multichannel PCM/TrueHD/DTS-HD MA/DD/DTS."

I been using Toslink. Which if I understand the above statement I got on another forum I been losing quality by not having an HDMI capable reciever? So when I am watching a blu-ray or downloading HD 5.1 channel videos am I really losing that much? I also play alot of newer games like Bad Company 2 and Mass Effect 2. My buddy tells me I am over reacting and to chill its fine.

Figure you guys are the ones to ask!
Post edited by Dice144 on
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited February 2011
    What you're mostly losing is the Blu-ray Hi-Def sound. Most HD TV broadcasts are in the older formats so you're OK there! As for gaming, I'm not a gamer....so I suggest that you check your discs...up to now, isn't it only a PS3 that has Blu-ray support and some older X-BOX that had Toshiba HD-DVD drives?

    Others will chime in. The other way to solve your problem is to get a blu-ray Player that will decode HD formats. internally, and output them through 5.1 or 7.1 analog outs. If your AVR has Multi-channel analogs INS--you're golden because that will give you the full HD sound!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited February 2011
    Using Toslink you are losing all the lossless Bluray formats. They are only supported on HDMI. If you have an average HT it might be difficult to tell the difference between the lossy DVD format, and the lossless BR formats. Still, why take the chance. HDMI cables are cheap, and even if you only get a tiny improvement it is better than nothing.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
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    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • Theheadsn
    Theheadsn Posts: 413
    edited February 2011
    the bug finally bit me and I went out and upgraded my receiver last year. Personally, the sound difference to me is incredible. But to each his own.
    Home Theater Setup
    • Receiver - Onkyo TX-RZ1100
    • Mains - Polk RTi A9's
    • External Amps - Outlaw 2200 Monoblocks for L/R/C
    • Center - Polk CSiA6
    • Side Surrounds - Polk FXiA6's
    • Atmos - 4 Polk 80F/X RT's
    • Sub - SVS PC-4000
    • T.V. - LG OLED65C7P

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  • JimAckley
    JimAckley Posts: 1,138
    edited February 2011
    Xbox is pretty much all Dolby Digital 5.1 so Toslink has ya all squared away there.
    - Computer Rig -
    YAΘIN MS-20L, polkaudio RT5

    - Main Rig -
    Pioneer SC-37, Overnight Sensations, Samsung 52" LCD

    - Currently In Progress -
    Curt Campbell's Uluwatu LCR, LMS Ultra Gjallarhorn, JBL W15GTi stereo subs, 2.1 entertainment system for the gf
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,080
    edited February 2011
    JimAckley wrote: »
    Xbox is pretty much all Dolby Digital 5.1 so Toslink has ya all squared away there.

    Except for the newer bluray sound formats which don't play by way of optical cables. If you go the analog route from bluray player to avr,make sure you have all those 5.1 speakers or info will be lost.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • JimAckley
    JimAckley Posts: 1,138
    edited February 2011
    tonyb wrote: »
    Except for the newer bluray sound formats which don't play by way of optical cables. If you go the analog route from bluray player to avr,make sure you have all those 5.1 speakers or info will be lost.

    I was only referring to Xboxs :wink:
    - Computer Rig -
    YAΘIN MS-20L, polkaudio RT5

    - Main Rig -
    Pioneer SC-37, Overnight Sensations, Samsung 52" LCD

    - Currently In Progress -
    Curt Campbell's Uluwatu LCR, LMS Ultra Gjallarhorn, JBL W15GTi stereo subs, 2.1 entertainment system for the gf
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 8,121
    edited February 2011
    tonyb wrote: »
    Except for the newer bluray sound formats which don't play by way of optical cables. If you go the analog route from bluray player to avr,make sure you have all those 5.1 speakers or info will be lost.

    Yes I go this route and it sounds really good. I have an older HK with multi channel analog inputs that have full bass management, so I just let my bdp do the decoding and send it out over the analog outputs and it makes a HUGE difference over DD, even the beefed up core that you get over a toslink or coax digital cable. At this point hdmi would only be a little added convenience for me, I don't think it would improve sound quality.

    Peace,
    Paul
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1     Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • Dice144
    Dice144 Posts: 14
    edited February 2011
    My reciever does not have HDMI input. Integra DTS 5.2 (got it free). If HDMI was a big enough upgrade this was going to be enough reason to upgrade to Onkyo 608 or something in the sub $400 range.

    In other news I was stupidly using windows sound drivers thinking when selected on digital it would not make a huge difference over install realtek drivers. HUGE difference. /smack

    I got use to Linux just working so got lazy when I went back to win7 to game again. Thank you for the fast response and feedback.
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited February 2011
    rooftop59 wrote: »
    Yes I go this route and it sounds really good. I have an older HK with multi channel analog inputs that have full bass management, so I just let my bdp do the decoding and send it out over the analog outputs and it makes a HUGE difference over DD, even the beefed up core that you get over a toslink or coax digital cable. At this point hdmi would only be a little added convenience for me, I don't think it would improve sound quality.

    Peace,
    Paul
    Dice144 wrote: »
    My reciever does not have HDMI input. Integra DTS 5.2 (got it free). If HDMI was a big enough upgrade this was going to be enough reason to upgrade to Onkyo 608 or something in the sub $400 range.

    In other news I was stupidly using windows sound drivers thinking when selected on digital it would not make a huge difference over install realtek drivers. HUGE difference. /smack

    I got use to Linux just working so got lazy when I went back to win7 to game again. Thank you for the fast response and feedback.

    The Integra DTR-5.2 has 5.1 analog audio INPUTS so you can do what rooftop suggests and you're GOOD!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • shawn474
    shawn474 Posts: 3,052
    edited February 2011
    rooftop59 wrote: »
    Yes I go this route and it sounds really good. I have an older HK with multi channel analog inputs that have full bass management, so I just let my bdp do the decoding and send it out over the analog outputs and it makes a HUGE difference over DD, even the beefed up core that you get over a toslink or coax digital cable. At this point hdmi would only be a little added convenience for me, I don't think it would improve sound quality.

    Peace,
    Paul

    +1; I do the same sthing and I certainly noticed a difference in my Blu Ray experience. From my understanding, its the next best thing to an HDMI capable pre/AVR, which I definitely cannot afford!

    Shawn
    Shawn
    AVR: Marantz SR-5011
    Center Channel: Polk LsiM706c
    Front: Polk LsiM703
    Rear: LSI fx
    Subwoofer: SVS 20-39pci
    Television: Samsung UN58NU7100FXZA
    DVD Player: Sony PS4
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,233
    edited February 2011
    Dice144 wrote: »
    My reciever does not have HDMI input. Integra DTS 5.2 (got it free). If HDMI was a big enough upgrade this was going to be enough reason to upgrade to Onkyo 608 or something in the sub $400 range.

    In other news I was stupidly using windows sound drivers thinking when selected on digital it would not make a huge difference over install realtek drivers. HUGE difference. /smack

    I got use to Linux just working so got lazy when I went back to win7 to game again. Thank you for the fast response and feedback.

    What kind of speakers you using? This will dictate if it's worth upgrading or not.
    I'm all for upgrading but if your room and speaker are not up to par for the new codec's then just stay the way you are.

    Yes you are losing sound quality if you do have good speakers and a good room to put them in.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • Dice144
    Dice144 Posts: 14
    edited February 2011
    My room is about 12x15". Currently using M60 for fronts and cs1 for center and m 30 for surround. Still did not order the 505 sub which I planned to do last week but got new glasses first (gf talked me into it).
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  • Dice144
    Dice144 Posts: 14
    edited February 2011
    Also I only currently use my computer to steam music/movies. My cable box is a paper weight (hate ads). I get it free or I would just get rid of it. (job perk). I do not own a blu-ray or anything. Also play alot of Bad Company 2 and Mass Effect 2 on it. AND wow having installed the Realtek HD drivers it is a night and day difference playing Mass Effect and BC2. The speakers seem to really come alive now!

    Major computer nerd. My TV is my computer screen!
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  • blehmbo
    blehmbo Posts: 179
    edited February 2011
    Since you watch blu-rays it's unlikely that you would gain anything from using an HDMI cable over toslink. Like the others have mentioned earlier, the benefit would come with multichannel lossless formats.
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  • Dice144
    Dice144 Posts: 14
    edited February 2011
    Thanks for the feedback
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  • stangjason
    stangjason Posts: 341
    edited February 2011
    rooftop59 wrote: »
    Yes I go this route and it sounds really good. I have an older HK with multi channel analog inputs that have full bass management, so I just let my bdp do the decoding and send it out over the analog outputs and it makes a HUGE difference over DD, even the beefed up core that you get over a toslink or coax digital cable. At this point hdmi would only be a little added convenience for me, I don't think it would improve sound quality.

    Peace,
    Paul

    I found that with my Pioneer to my ears had a much better home theater sound that my H/K 635. I think I credit the MCACC setup the Pioneer uses for the superior HT surround sound. As far as power and music SQ the H/K wins the battle but the sound stage of the pioneer makes it a bit closer in music SQ but only with a lot of tweeking.
    Pioneer vsx-1120k, B&K Sonata series video-5 amplifier, Polk Rti8, Fxi3, Csi5, and HSU VTF-1
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  • codyc1ark
    codyc1ark Posts: 2,532
    edited February 2011
    Dice144 wrote: »
    Still did not order the 505 sub which I planned to do last week but got new glasses first (gf talked me into it).

    This is the inherent problem with members of the opposite sex. They don't know what is good for them, or more importantly, us!! :biggrin:
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