DAC in Player VS DAC In AVR
auto_pilot
Posts: 256
Okay...I've been pondering this question for awhile. When a CD is put into a player it converts the digital signal from the disc to an analog output to my reciever...then to the speakers.
My question is...I assume my Receiver has its own DAC's...much more superior to my CD player...so I'm hoping that what is output to the speakers is sourced from my DAC's in my Receiver not my universal player...Am I wrong?
My question is...I assume my Receiver has its own DAC's...much more superior to my CD player...so I'm hoping that what is output to the speakers is sourced from my DAC's in my Receiver not my universal player...Am I wrong?
Cambridge Audio AZUR 640R
KEF IQ2C Center, Fronts KEF IQ1 , Rears KEF Ci302Q
Sub Outlaw LFM2
Panasonic Plasma 1080i (50u)
Sony DVP-NS70H (DVD)
Belkin Pure Audio PF31 Line Conditioner
KEF IQ2C Center, Fronts KEF IQ1 , Rears KEF Ci302Q
Sub Outlaw LFM2
Panasonic Plasma 1080i (50u)
Sony DVP-NS70H (DVD)
Belkin Pure Audio PF31 Line Conditioner
Post edited by auto_pilot on
Comments
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Depends on your CD palyer, and reciever.Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
Thanks
Ben -
My universal player is the Sony NS70H...I forget all the digits...
My AVR is Cambridge Audio 640R...Cambridge Audio AZUR 640R
KEF IQ2C Center, Fronts KEF IQ1 , Rears KEF Ci302Q
Sub Outlaw LFM2
Panasonic Plasma 1080i (50u)
Sony DVP-NS70H (DVD)
Belkin Pure Audio PF31 Line Conditioner -
All depends on your hookup.If your optical cable runs from the cd player to the Avr,you are useing the dacs in the avr.If its connected with just analog cables for each channel,then you are useing the dacs in the universal.Try both ways to determine which one is better.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 -
auto_pilot wrote: »My universal player is the Sony NS70H...I forget all the digits...
My AVR is Cambridge Audio 640R...
If you are connecting your DVD player to your receiver via a digital connection, then you're using your receiver's DAC. And your DVD player is used as a "transport".
On the other hand, if you connect your DVD player to your receiver via an analog connection, then you're using your DVD player's DAC.
You'll have to try each method of connection and listen. There's no guarantee in these type of things. -
Okay...my reciever has a analog bypass...which I assume is diret w/out any DAC colouring of my reciever right?
But when I play PCM via the digital connector, then I use the DAC from the reciever.
I was told that analog direct would sound better than PCM...but I'm probably more limited by my Universal Player then?Cambridge Audio AZUR 640R
KEF IQ2C Center, Fronts KEF IQ1 , Rears KEF Ci302Q
Sub Outlaw LFM2
Panasonic Plasma 1080i (50u)
Sony DVP-NS70H (DVD)
Belkin Pure Audio PF31 Line Conditioner -
If you are connecting your DVD player to your receiver via a digital connection, then you're using your receiver's DAC. And your DVD player is used as a "transport".
On the other hand, if you connect your DVD player to your receiver via an analog connection, then you're using your DVD player's DAC.
You'll have to try each method of connection and listen. There's no guarantee in these type of things.
Okay so I have to more careful listening then...there is a differnece when switch from analog direct to PCM...I'll have to pay more attention.Cambridge Audio AZUR 640R
KEF IQ2C Center, Fronts KEF IQ1 , Rears KEF Ci302Q
Sub Outlaw LFM2
Panasonic Plasma 1080i (50u)
Sony DVP-NS70H (DVD)
Belkin Pure Audio PF31 Line Conditioner -
auto_pilot wrote: »Okay...my reciever has a analog bypass...which I assume is diret w/out any DAC colouring of my reciever right?
But when I play PCM via the digital connector, then I use the DAC from the reciever.
I was told that analog direct would sound better than PCM...but I'm probably more limited by my Universal Player then?
Analog Direct generally means that the receiver is not applying any kind of digital processing or tone control (bass and treble) to the signal. And that signal has to come from an analog input, hence the term Analog Direct.
If you connect your DVD player via analog cables, and you choose Analog Direct, then your receiver is basically just function as a power amp. Volume is the only thing you can control.
PCM implies that your DVD player is sending a digital signal to your receiver and your receiver's DAC is doing the D/A conversion with its DAC. You may have a Direct mode for this on your receiver as well. -
Analog Direct generally means that the receiver is not applying any kind of digital processing to the signal. And that signal has to come from an analog input, hence the term Analog Direct.
If you connect your DVD player via analog cables, and you choose Analog Direct, then your receiver is basically just function as a power amp. Volume is the only think you can control.
PCM implies that your DVD player is sending a digital signal to your receiver and your receiver's DAC is doing the D/A conversion with its DAC. You may have a Direct mode for this on your receiver as well.
Oh...I get it now...so I can determine the type of output from my player to my reciever...does that effect it as well?
BTW...I work in San Leandro...and live in Fairfield. Small world.Cambridge Audio AZUR 640R
KEF IQ2C Center, Fronts KEF IQ1 , Rears KEF Ci302Q
Sub Outlaw LFM2
Panasonic Plasma 1080i (50u)
Sony DVP-NS70H (DVD)
Belkin Pure Audio PF31 Line Conditioner -
auto_pilot wrote: »Okay...I've been pondering this question for awhile. When a CD is put into a player it converts the digital signal from the disc to an analog output to my receiver...then to the speakers.
My question is...I assume my Receiver has its own DAC's...much more superior to my CD player...so I'm hoping that what is output to the speakers is sourced from my DAC's in my Receiver not my universal player...Am I wrong?
It depends on which outputs from your CDP you are using, and which output mode you have your receiver set to.
Being a universal player you probably have multichannel analog out, which would when connected to your receiver be using the dacs in your player.
You probably have coaxial or optical digital out from your player, if you have one of these connected to your receiver, you would be using the receivers dacs.
With stereo analog out to your receiver you can probably choose direct or by pass on your receiver, which would mean you are using the players dacs, however, stereo analog inputs on receivers usually allow you to apply decoding so you could choose say plII music, in which case you would be using the receivers dacs.
Are you thoroughly confused yet, I am?;)
Don't assume the dacs in one unit are superior to the other, much more comes into play.
Try the output from both units and decide for yourself which one you like.
I'm TOO SLOW typing:) -
Well dang...
Honestly I think I like the analog bypass better than PCM...the sound is more pure? I find the PCM to be a little colored, not as natural. I also can apply bass management with analog direct...the display read:
Bal Analog
LFE digital
Nice sound overall...
But...again...I will have to give the PCM another shot to see if I'm missing something.Cambridge Audio AZUR 640R
KEF IQ2C Center, Fronts KEF IQ1 , Rears KEF Ci302Q
Sub Outlaw LFM2
Panasonic Plasma 1080i (50u)
Sony DVP-NS70H (DVD)
Belkin Pure Audio PF31 Line Conditioner -
auto_pilot wrote: »Oh...I get it now...so I can determine the type of output from my player to my reciever...does that effect it as well?
BTW...I work in San Leandro...and live in Fairfield. Small world.
Oh yes, some people has both analog and digital connections coming out of one player. Which output is used depends on what type of disc is being played.
San Leandro to Fairfield?? That's quite a commute!! Well, I am in San Francisco now and I am heading back to CV. :rolleyes: -
Oh yes, some people has both analog and digital connections coming out of one player. Which output is used depends on what type of disc is being played.
San Leandro to Fairfield?? That's quite a commute!! Well, I am in San Francisco now and I am heading back to CV. :rolleyes:
Yes...i watch your commute on alternating days...like today as I cruise down the 880/980, and on some days the 580. I don't envy the back up...
Coming to work isn't bad...coming home is kinda sucks...good thing I commute.
Thanks for the input...I will be doing more testing at home.Cambridge Audio AZUR 640R
KEF IQ2C Center, Fronts KEF IQ1 , Rears KEF Ci302Q
Sub Outlaw LFM2
Panasonic Plasma 1080i (50u)
Sony DVP-NS70H (DVD)
Belkin Pure Audio PF31 Line Conditioner -
Oh yes, some people has both analog and digital connections coming out of one player. Which output is used depends on what type of disc is being played.
San Leandro to Fairfield?? That's quite a commute!! Well, I am in San Francisco now and I am heading back to CV. :rolleyes:
Thats how I have my universal hooked up.Works well for movies and cd's.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 -
Let your ear's guide you. Listen to both for a week at a time, see which sound you prefer.Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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Well did a little testing last night...With Nora Jones CD...one I'm very familar with...did A/B switching...Turns out my reciever has analog direct and PCM 2 channel mode...
Observations...
PCM seemed louder, fuller and overall greater presence...Bass was fuller and more pronounced. Highs and mids were good. (2 channel with LFE...this wasn't Dolby Pro Logic II)
Analog Direct...seemed subdued...but overall highs and mids were sweeter, and the lows less full. (Analog Bypass with LFE) Maybe my player produces brighter highs than my reciever.
I need to do more testing.Cambridge Audio AZUR 640R
KEF IQ2C Center, Fronts KEF IQ1 , Rears KEF Ci302Q
Sub Outlaw LFM2
Panasonic Plasma 1080i (50u)
Sony DVP-NS70H (DVD)
Belkin Pure Audio PF31 Line Conditioner -
Let your ear's guide you. Listen to both for a week at a time, see which sound you prefer.
Agree with Steve on this one...
When it comes to DAC's, the differences are fairly subtle when doing quick comparisons. But taking the better one out of your system after a week or so will make the change obvious. Don't know why that it is. Just my experience.I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore
