The old and the new

kawizx9r

So this has been bugging me for a while now, and although I know some of the reasons why, I'm a bit stumped. I see friends/people online/etc HT setup that utilize older pre-amp/avr's and using high-end rca/analog type wires between components. Yes alot of the older stuff is of higher quality/build quality, and probably provide a better signal-output type deal of cd's/sacd's etc, but doesn't an optical out/hdmi out/in provide the best signal overall simply because theres no analog/digital conversion and it is strictly digital between components? And I ask this because the older pre-amps/avrs I'm seeing are expensive high-end models (that people continue to buy TODAY for good coin). Joining this forum has taught me alot already, and I just want to say thanks to everyone for that. Some input on this this though would just..I don't know...tickle my pickle?...let me sleep at night? lol. Thanks!

nguyendot

You would think that is true, but the reason people are using RCA interconnects instead of a digital toslink/coaxial connection is because they generally are using separate DAC's or something with a DAC built in that is better than the on built into their receiver. The belief is that much more can be gained by a better DAC (Digital Analog Converter) than by a better connection with a stock DAC in the receiver.

kawizx9r

Ah, thanks alot for that! Something I thought about looking into but on the interwebz, you get stuff that's way off your intended search.