Variable Digital Output...sound quality

KrazyMofo24

Sorry if this has been asked before. I don't have a remote for my preamp and it's too costly to get one. I just bought a new Sony TV and I'm using the optical pass-through for everything.

This tv let's me control the volume for this output and I have been using it for convenience. So far I haven't noticed a huge drop in sound quality but wondering if it degrades it and if so how much?

StantonZ

It obviously "works", but is not a typical set-up. The bigger problem is: you can't pass lossless audio (not to mention immersive) that way. Go get a cheap universal remote control; at least you can switch sources and control the volume.

tonyb

KrazyMofo24 wrote: »

Sorry if this has been asked before. I don't have a remote for my preamp and it's too costly to get one. I just bought a new Sony TV and I'm using the optical pass-through for everything.

This tv let's me control the volume for this output and I have been using it for convenience. So far I haven't noticed a huge drop in sound quality but wondering if it degrades it and if so how much?

How much ?

IMHO.....a lot.
Tv's are more video devices and are not built for audio. Anytime you run audio threw the tv, your degrading sound. You don't have a HT receiver, just a pre amp ? No BDP ? Does the pre amp have remote capabilities and you just lost the remote ?

KrazyMofo24

I have a Apple TV, PS4, Macbook, and recently a smart TV which I use for 4k streaming. I use my airplay for the macbook to the apple TV. Apple TV dropped the optical port but prior I was running optical to my Peachtree Dac which then goes to my T+A preamp. With the new Apple TV I am now using HDMI to the TV and then running the digital signal back to the DAC. My understanding is that as long as the signal is digital to the DAC then it does the conversion then I'm good.

I won't feel bad if that isn't the case or if their are other major factors. I got a really good deal on the preamp and it's a $1000 retail for the remote control module which is way more than I want to spend on a remote.

However my current setup with this new TV is a big step up as far as convenience because I'm able to get more use. I was concerned if there was a cost to turning it down via this method. But if there are other major factors than I may have to look at other options for serious listening.

I know eventually I want to splurge for the Oppo 105 but waiting on the 4k version and when the budget allows for it.

KrazyMofo24

I see what you guys are saying now. I think I need something like this for my Apple TV to solve the no optical issue. It still wouldn't solve my remote issue though.

http://www.kanexpro.com/item/?id=HAECOAX

StantonZ

$1000 for a "remote control module"? To each his own, but you could have bought a whole AVR (remote control included) for that price...and played FLAC files from a FLASH drive via the USB port (and probably sounded just as good).

KrazyMofo24

I'd rather have this preamp over a $1000 receiver but anyways we both agree that no one is paying that for a remote.

I decided to hook up my old apple tv for audio and will use that until I get an OPPO.