DVD Audio & SACD into one input?

xfontanax

For those who have both DVD Audio and SACD, how are they hooked up if one only has one 5.1 input? What's a good way to do this without breaking the bank?

jrausch

Not clear on the question. Is it that you have both players and only a single 5.1 input on your pre-amp section or are you looking for a player that does both formats? As far as the analog only output on a SACD player you must use 6 seperate RCA connectors. You can thank the RIAA for the no digital output of SACD. This is yet another reason why I'm waiting for the format to change to a more secure digital output, so money can be saved on using seperate cables for each channel.

TonyPTX

I'm thinking some RCA Y-Splitters may help. Not sure what happens when you send an output signal from one unit and have the other unit still connected (maybe keep it powered off?) The alternatives would be to find some sort of switching unit between the two sources, get a receiver with two 5.1 analog inputs, or get a combo DVD-A/SACD player such as the Onkyo DV-SP800 or similar unit.

shack

I'm thinking some RCA Y-Splitters may help. Not sure what happens when you send an output signal from one unit and have the other unit still connected (maybe keep it powered off?)

You cannot use 6 Y cables. It simply will not work even if you try to turn one off and run the other.

A Sony TA-P9000ES multi channel preamp with multiple 5.1 inputs is an option but hard to find and pricey ($500).

HERE is a less expensive option than the Sony pre-amp but still a little pricey at $200.

A cheaper ($30) but not as nice option is to use 2 Radio Shack A/V switch boxes #15-1952 to switch between SACD and DVD-Audio. Each switch box has two A/V inputs (left and right audio and composite video) and one output. The inputs are marked 'A' and 'B', and there is an A/B switch on the top of the box. Here is how to use the switch boxes:

Box 1
Input A: DVD-Audio front left, front right, and center
Input B: SACD front left, front right, and center
Output: Front left, front right, and center to receiver's 5.1-channel inputs

Box 2
Input A: DVD-Audio rear left, rear right, and subwoofer
Input B: SACD rear left, rear right, and subwoofer
Output: Rear left, and rear right, and subwoofer to receiver's 5.1-channel inputs.

HERE is a link.

Of course you have to have 9 sets of interconnects to make it all work which can jack up the price.

The cost of having 2 different sources for SACD and DVD-A makes an all in one player more attractive.

Emlyn

I use the Radio Shack switching boxes method and haven't noticed any degradation of the sound quality despite the extra cabling and switching. The number of cables required is a drain on the wallet though--moreso than the boxes. Maybe in a couple of years new multi-format machines will all have a type of firewire interface with one cable, but I won't count on it.

flason

Agree with Tony. Get a combo unit like the Pioneer Elite DV45a for $450. Yamaha has a new one too, but it's about a grand.

danger boy

I read in S&V mag that the new generations of SACD players will offer a single digital connector.. but only to it's same brand receiver/preamp.

gene stangel

Hi, I solved this problem by using two Terk A/V switchers, got at one call.com for $29.95 each. It switches between four video & audio inputs and one output. I used one for the center & front using the video as audio and the other for the sub & surrounds.
Works great and does not degrade the sound to my ears. I too had to have both and this setup makes an A-B comparison easy to do. I also do not have a sub and mixed the sub output on each player into the mains and picked up significant bass improvement especially from dvd-audio. Hope it works.

polkatese

Shack,
I settled down on the ratshack solution, and it works perfectly with no noticable degradation of the sound. Obviously it's not as elegant as the ta-p9000es solution, but it cost $26 vs. $500 (even as high as $760) Thanks for the solution!

shack

Great, you're welcome. I'm glad it works for you.