Dolby Digital vs DTS

halo71
halo71 Posts: 4,612
edited August 2011 in Electronics
Which is preferred by most, anything other than DD or DTS? I have no experience with anything other than regular ole' Dolby Surround or Dolby Digital. Is DTS that much better? There seems to be so many formats these days it's confusing, well to me anyways.
--Gary--
Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,076
    edited August 2011
    The newer formats leave the old DD in the dust. HD DTS master audio is where it's at today from blu-ray. Of the 2 you mentioned,I prefer DTS when available, but the newer formats are head and shoulders above them.
    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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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited August 2011
    Those are DVD formats. Hopefully, you have a Bluray by now. On Bluray there is no difference, since both are lossless. On DVD, DTS can have a little bit more information, which can sound a bit better. If you have the gear to hear it.
    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
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,612
    edited August 2011
    I don't have a Bluray. So I am not going to see the benefits of DTS with a standard DVD player? Not even DTS music DVD's?
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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  • Tbone289
    Tbone289 Posts: 661
    edited August 2011
    I definitely prefer DTS on DVDs. The dynamics seem to always be noticeably better to my ear than Dolby Digital.
    2.1: PC>Schiit Gungnir MB>Schiit Freya Noval>NAD C-270>Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1, HSU STF-2 5.1: HDMI Bitstream>Denon AVR-1910>polkaudio RTE55, CS350-LS, RT3, HSU STF-2, Visio M55-F0
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,607
    edited August 2011
    I think Dolby Digital tends to be more compressed (640kbps) vs DTS (1500kbps). Also, I believe Dolby Digital is limited to 48khz vs 48 / 96 khz that's possible on DTS. So depending on what you're watching, DTS may sound better.
    Dali Optikon 1Mk2
    NAD D3020 V2
    Schiit Bifrost 2/64

    ..the rest are headphone setups.
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  • PSOVLSK
    PSOVLSK Posts: 5,291
    edited August 2011
    halo71 wrote: »
    I don't have a Bluray. So I am not going to see the benefits of DTS with a standard DVD player? Not even DTS music DVD's?

    I usually prefer DTS to DD with a DVD player, especially with music DVD's.
    Things work out best for those who make the best of the way things work out.-John Wooden
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,728
    edited August 2011
    Definitely DTS when available. Neither are as good as the new lossless formats, but DTS sounds better than DD.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,229
    edited August 2011
    Dolby is the industry standard that all is measured by. DTS is also a industry standard just newer then Dolby.
    Years ago when DTS came out , then tended to boost the rear and sub channels a bit giving a false sense of "better". Later they used a better compression technic which tended to sound a bit better then Dolby Digital.
    If you want proof in the pudding , just watch Gladiator in DD then DTS , you will notice quite a bit more info in the DTS track. Another good one is Pearl Harbor followed by Saving Private Ryan.

    Personally I like DTS over Dolby as it to me sound cleaner and more dynamic.
    Now when you go Blu ray , things tend to level out. Most movies are coming in DTS MA over Dolby True HD which is strange but backed by popular demand, Studio's are going with DTS for the replay tracks.

    As noted , the better the system the more you will notice the differences between the 2.

    Have fun , I have not done this shootout in so many ears. These are fun times I miss it.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited August 2011
    The biggest issue is that few DVDs come with DTS. I check every Netflix DVD, and when I get a DTS DVD it is like a present. As mentioned, with BlueRay the point is moot.
    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
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,612
    edited August 2011
    BlueFox wrote: »
    The biggest issue is that few DVDs come with DTS. I check every Netflix DVD, and when I get a DTS DVD it is like a present. As mentioned, with BlueRay the point is moot.


    Okay that answers my last question. A regular DVD player will play DTS, but it's mainly on music DVD's right? And most Bluray are DTS or higher?

    Mantis wrote:
    If you want proof in the pudding , just watch Gladiator in DD then DTS , you will notice quite a bit more info in the DTS track. Another good one is Pearl Harbor followed by Saving Private Ryan.

    Kinda like the big difference I seen between ProLogic and DD years ago. Cool. Damn I need a Bluray player now! lol Sucks being broke. :frown:
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited August 2011
    DTS all the way.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited August 2011
    halo71 wrote: »
    A regular DVD player will play DTS, but it's mainly on music DVD's right?

    You would need to check the packaging.

    And most Bluray are DTS or higher?

    Probably, 99.9% of BluRay's are lossless. It does not matter if they use Dolby or DTS compression. When uncompressed you have the same lossless file.

    There will be some Blurays that have the original lossy DVD soundtrack, but they are in the minority. I hope. :biggrin:
    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
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,229
    edited August 2011
    halo71 wrote: »
    Okay that answers my last question. A regular DVD player will play DTS, but it's mainly on music DVD's right? And most Bluray are DTS or higher?




    Kinda like the big difference I seen between ProLogic and DD years ago. Cool. Damn I need a Bluray player now! lol Sucks being broke. :frown:

    Your not alone.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,612
    edited August 2011
    Thanks for the help guys!
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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  • jbooker82
    jbooker82 Posts: 1,627
    edited August 2011
    DTS here too. I like the NEO6 Cinema or Music listening mode on my Onkyo AVR
    AVR: Onkyo Tx-NR808
    Amplifier: Carver A-753x 250 watts x 3
    Fronts: Polk RTI A7 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Center: CSI A4 (modded by Trey VR3)
    Rear: FXI A4
    Sub: Polk DSW Pro 660wi
    TV: LG Infinia 50PX950 3D
    Speaker Cable: AudioQuest Type 8
    IC: AudioQuest Black Mamba II
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited August 2011
    Reported mangos756 - spam
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  • DMara
    DMara Posts: 1,434
    edited August 2011
    halo71 wrote: »
    Damn I need a Bluray player now! lol Sucks being broke. :frown:

    You might need a new receiver/processor to go with the Bluray player, too :biggrin:
    Gears shared to both living room & bedroom:
    Integra DHC-80.3 / Oppo BDP-105 / DirecTV HR24 DVR /APC S15blk PC-UPS
    Living room:
    LSiM707's / LSiM706c / LSiM702 F/X's / dual JL Audio Fathom F113's / Parasound Halo A51 / Panasonic 65" TC-P65VT50
    Bedroom:
    Usher Dancer Mini 2 Diamond DMD's / Logitech SB Touch / W4S STP-SE / W4S DAC-2 / W4S ST-1000 / Samsung 52" LN52B750
    Other rooms:
    Audioengine AP4's / GLOW Audio Sub One / audio-gd NFB-3 DAC / Audioengine N22
    audio-gd NFB-10.2 / Denon AH-D7000
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  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited August 2011
    jbooker82 wrote: »
    DTS here too. I like the NEO6 Cinema or Music listening mode on my Onkyo AVR

    I use the same settings on my Panny.
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  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,612
    edited August 2011
    DMara wrote: »
    You might need a new receiver/processor to go with the Bluray player, too :biggrin:

    Yeah, I don't quite have the budget for home audio as many here do. From looking at your gear, especially you! :tongue:
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,076
    edited August 2011
    You could pick up a used avr like one of the pioneers in the FM here for 3-4 hundred and a cheap bdp is only another hundred. Whats your idea of a budget HT because it doesn't get any cheaper than that for that quality bro. Think of what you could sell to finance the upgrades.
    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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  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,612
    edited August 2011
    lol...I am trying now to sell stuff for upgrades! Most likely gonna buy Paul's B&K Reference 10 as soon as I receive payment on 1 guitar I sold. :biggrin:

    And then the wife busted me last night. So no point in having stuff shipped to work anymore I guess. lol
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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  • halo71
    halo71 Posts: 4,612
    edited August 2011
    Also, thoughts on a Yamaha HTR-5590?

    "It delivers high power to six channels and provides DTS ES, Neo 6 and DTS ES Matrix 6.1 decoding as well as Dolby Digital 6.1 and Dolby Pro Logic II decoding."
    --Gary--
    Onkyo Integra M504, Bottlehead Foreplay III, Denon SACD, Thiel CS2.3, NHT VT-2, VT-3 and Evolution T6, Infinity RSIIIa, SDA1C and a few dozen other speakers around the house I change in and out.
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  • DMara
    DMara Posts: 1,434
    edited August 2011
    halo71 wrote: »
    Also, thoughts on a Yamaha HTR-5590?

    "It delivers high power to six channels and provides DTS ES, Neo 6 and DTS ES Matrix 6.1 decoding as well as Dolby Digital 6.1 and Dolby Pro Logic II decoding."

    If you're interested in this particular Yamaha, I actually left one in the closet for a couple years already after replacing it with HDMI receivers. Let me know.
    Gears shared to both living room & bedroom:
    Integra DHC-80.3 / Oppo BDP-105 / DirecTV HR24 DVR /APC S15blk PC-UPS
    Living room:
    LSiM707's / LSiM706c / LSiM702 F/X's / dual JL Audio Fathom F113's / Parasound Halo A51 / Panasonic 65" TC-P65VT50
    Bedroom:
    Usher Dancer Mini 2 Diamond DMD's / Logitech SB Touch / W4S STP-SE / W4S DAC-2 / W4S ST-1000 / Samsung 52" LN52B750
    Other rooms:
    Audioengine AP4's / GLOW Audio Sub One / audio-gd NFB-3 DAC / Audioengine N22
    audio-gd NFB-10.2 / Denon AH-D7000
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