Oppo 103?
footwedge
Posts: 475
Thinking of ordering one but need to know if one can play 2 channel analog music if connected it to a SC-27 via hdmi? Or will I need to connect by analog interconnects too?
Newbe here, so sorry for the (hopefully not) dumb question.
Newbe here, so sorry for the (hopefully not) dumb question.
Post edited by footwedge on
Comments
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Yes, you can connect the 103 via HDMI for 2 channel. However, I do not know if the sound quality would be better or worse compared to RCA ICs.
Try it both ways to determine what will sound better to you.
Good luck. -
I prefer RCA's over HDMI with my 83 for two channel playback. I guess I'm a believer that the DAC's in the Oppo are better than my SC-25's, try it both ways and let us know what you think.
EDIT: Let me qualify that statement, I DID prefer RCA's with the Oppo, but I picked up a Pioneer AV-47Ai and it's quite a bit better than the Oppo for audio playback. -
Yes, you can connect the 103 via HDMI for 2 channel. However, I do not know if the sound quality would be better or worse compared to RCA ICs.
If you use HDMI then you are using the DACs/analog stage in the AVR. If you use RCA then you are using the DACs/analog stage in the Oppo. You are right as it is unknown which will sound better. However, the quality of the RCA cable will most certainly affect the sound quality. So, there are more variables in that path.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. -
To clarify for myself, I can use the hdmi for audio/video processing and analog playback or if I like the sound better using ics, I can use the hdmi for audio/video adding the ics for music only.
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To clarify for myself, I can use the hdmi for audio/video processing and analog playback or if I like the sound better using ics, I can use the hdmi for audio/video adding the ics for music only.
You can have both at the same time -just connect the analog outputs from the 103 to another named input on your AVR.
* Connect the hdmi to the AVR input labeled "Blu Ray" or BD
* Connect the RCA analog ICs to the AVR input labeled "CD"
You can have both at the same time to do your own 'death match' comparison.
H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music. -
Thanks Erik.
So, does the analog connection override the audio side of the hdmi when playing CDs or will I need to set the Oppo inputs to make this happen? Also, is the Dac in the Oppo considered the better of the two? -
Erik,
After re-reading your post, I think I answered my own question regarding the override. If I connect with ics to the cd input, it will take care of itself when playing music. -
Erik,
After re-reading your post, I think I answered my own question regarding the override. If I connect with ics to the cd input, it will take care of itself when playing music.
Correct.
And, from your AVR, you can switch 'live' between the hdmi inputs and the analog inputs to do a real time "A/B" comparison of the sound between the 103 DACs and your AVR's DACs to see which you prefer for 2-channel music.
Just be sure to configure your AVR to be "Pure Direct" for when you switch to the CD inputs to avoid invalidating your comparison.
"Pure Direct" will ensure that the analog signal from the 103 remains analog all the way thru the AVR and to your speakers.
If you don't use "Pure Direct" then the AVR will convert the analog input from the 103 to digital, do whatever DSP/Auto EQ you have it set for, then convert it back to analog to send to your speakers - therefore, you are again listening mostly to the AVR's DACs and not the 103s.
Note: Not sure if this applies to your AVR or not, but for many - when you do use an AVR's "Pure Direct" it is meant for use with 2 channel analog sources - and it remains as 2 channel only on the AVR outputs - therefore, you won't hear anything from your sub.
Therein lies the 'catch' with some setups using an AVR and the desire to preserve an analog chain end to end and still have a sub.
Doing both is another story.....:cheesygrin:
H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music. -
Thanks,
I see there's a catch to everything. I'll check out the manual but if Pure Direct is the only avenue to use the Oppo's Dac for 2 channel and it eliminates the sub, I will be staying with the hdmi. That brings the next question, if using hdmi to the bd input with the avr's dac or the Oppo's dac control. Back to this well written manual.:sad: -
Thanks,
I see there's a catch to everything. I'll check out the manual but if Pure Direct is the only avenue to use the Oppo's Dac for 2 channel and it eliminates the sub, I will be staying with the hdmi. That brings the next question, if using hdmi to the bd input with the avr's dac or the Oppo's dac control. Back to this well written manual.:sad:
Not sure I understand your question.
If you use the hdmi from the 103 to your AVR, then you are using the 103 as a digital transport only and all D/A conversions will be via the AVR DAC's.
H9: If you don't trust what you are hearing, then maybe you need to be less invested in a hobby which all the pleasure comes from listening to music. -
The word "with" should have been "will".
I guess at this point, I need to see if "Stream Direct" (manual's term) eliminates the sub and which DAC is considered/sounds the best.
As you stated "doing both is another story" why is this the case? Is it impossible to do this with electronics? Or is it that manufacturers just don't do this?
