2ch CD listening - use digital or analog output?

TN_Polk_Lover

I bought a Denon AVR3806 for Christmas. Tweeter had them on special for $989, regularly about $1299. I understand that this model is being discontinued. I have a cheap Sony DVD player (about $100 at Sam's, it's one of the real slim ones) that I'm using with it. I'm using the COAX digital out from the Sony player to the COAX digital in on the Denon receiver.

Question: If I'm listening to CD's in 2 channel only mode, would it be better to let the Denon Reciever do the digital to analog conversion, or connect the analog out jacks on the player to the "CD analog in" jacks on the Receiver and let the player do the conversion?

I assume that since the Denon receiver is considerably more expensive than the Sony player, that letting the receiver do the conversion will give me better sound quality? Thanks.

ESavinon

In your case the denon avr has a better dac than your sony cdp.
Try listening both ways. Let your ears decide for you.

zombie boy 2000

It all depends on which has the better DAC... and even then it's not entirely clear. Your best bet is to try them both and see which you prefer...

george daniel

LET YOR EARS BE YOUR GUIDE--HAVE FUN (sorry for the caps):)

danger boy

ESAVINON wrote:

In your case the denon avr has a better dac than your sony cdp.
Try listening both ways. Let your ears decide for you.

Bingo.. we have a winner. let your ears decide.

Music Joe

Don't forget to play with the Dolby Pro Logic IIx mode for you stereo sources.

TN_Polk_Lover

Thanks, everyone, for the feedback. I think that for now, I'll leave it setup as is with the Denon receiver doing the conversion. Later, when I have more time, I'll do some serious listening tests to see if I can tell a difference in the sound quality doing it the other way.

davidk0512

TN, if you have optic audio output from the Sony DVD player to the receiver, it's fairly cheap for the optical cable and I think is better than the coax.

steveinaz

Sony's tend to have excellent slam and pace, you might want to let the Sony "do the talking."

AndyGwis

I've tried both ways on mine, and even with a very good source by most regards, I usually go with digit out. . . mainly because the HK635 has much better base management abilities.

When I let the dv-59avi do the talking with CDs or SACDs, I always feel I'm missing something on the bottom end. Just my 2 cents, tho.

szhleppy

I had the same question a while back, but didn't have the balls to ask on the forum for fear of being chastised.

I did exactly what these guys are advising you to do, and actually found that my CDP did a better digital to analog conversion that my Pre...time for an upgrade?

steveinaz

Probably not, it's not at all unusual for your stand-alone CDP to sound better w/it's own DAC's.

cfrizz

The only dumb questions are the ones that are NOT asked! Asking for information is the only way we can learn what we want to know. So next time ASK!:)

szhleppy wrote:

I had the same question a while back, but didn't have the balls to ask on the forum for fear of being chastised.

I did exactly what these guys are advising you to do, and actually found that my CDP did a better digital to analog conversion that my Pre...time for an upgrade?