Digital receiver that sounds good with analogue input ?

LageB · « **on:** 28 Sep 2005, 03:04 pm »

Hello, this is my first post here.

Although this issue probably have been several times

, I hope to get latest views on this subject.

At moment I have a panasonic XR45 that I have connected to a Behringer dcx2496 digital cross-over in a stereo 2-way application (using 4 channels of the XR45) , which means I have only analogue connection possibilities to the receiver. I have been quite happy but the speaker connections to the XR45 is killing me. I also understand that XR45 may not be best choice when it comes to analogue input.

Can you guide me to the good substitute to the XR45 for my application, which would give improvement in sound including decent speaker terminals...

Many thanks in advance

LageB

rbrb · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 Sep 2005, 05:31 pm »

The Boulder Cable company has a speaker terminal mod for the Panasonic receivers. I have not followed it very closely but it may be an option for you. There might be a few members that have gone ahead with the mod.
http://www.boldercables.com/Store.asp?m=TheBolderCableCompany&n=9&k=3468&s=+MODIFICATIONS

rbrb · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 Sep 2005, 05:34 pm »

There are also some people that swear by the Sony STRDA3000/5000ES digital receivers in the way they handle analog signals. Rumor has it that some of Ed Meitners technology from EMM labs is present in them.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 Sep 2005, 06:05 pm »

I have a set of those Bolder connectors, that I am not using - shoot me a PM if you are interested, and would like to keep that 45, but get better connectivity...

CSMR · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 Sep 2005, 06:06 pm »

You want an analog-controlled device to use analog inputs; otherwise you are going through an unecessary adc stage. You could try one of the JVC class D amps.

LageB · « **Reply #5 on:** 1 Oct 2005, 10:48 am »

Thanks folks,

I will study all inputs you made on Boulder & Sony & JVC. I do not know anything about them, so I will have t study from now on. By the way, I leave in Sweden so shipping from U.S maybe not feasable but thanks for kind offer mcgsxr.

I just learned about the new Panasonic XR55, which seems to have better Speaker Terminals. Anyone here who had chance to compare XR45 and XR55 "in analogue mode"?

LageB

soundboy · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 Oct 2005, 10:30 am »

LageB,

From what I've read on the below thread at avsforum.com, it sounds like the analog inputs of the XR55 has been improved....

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=530504

Edit: I guess you got your answer on page 35 of the thread

LageB · « **Reply #7 on:** 17 Oct 2005, 09:37 am »

Thanks soundboy,

Yes, I received some reply at AVS. However, I understand there are no technical specs differences - as far as A/D capabilities concerns, between the XR55 and older XR models.

LageB

nickspicks · « **Reply #8 on:** 17 Oct 2005, 11:12 am »

i'm the resident sony ES fluffer...

the older (not this years models) STR-DA2000,3000,5000,9000es recievers all convert incoming analog or digital signals to DSD.

in stripped down 2chann mode w/o any DSP, tone controlls..etc, they sound quite remarkable. Good enough for me to sell all my seperates.

the new models are no longer dong this until you get to the 7100 and 9100 models. and the price has nearly doubled on the 9100.

Feisal K · « **Reply #9 on:** 17 Oct 2005, 01:38 pm »

Quote from: nickspicks

the new models are no longer dong this until you get to the 7100 and 9100 models. and the price has nearly doubled on the 9100.

you know, I was hoping they'd develop S-Master more and trickle down into the whole range of receivers

dwk · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 Oct 2005, 02:20 pm »

Quote from: LageB

Thanks soundboy,

Yes, I received some reply at AVS. However, I understand there are no technical specs differences - as far as A/D capabilities concerns, between the XR55 and older XR models.

LageB

Well, it's not about specs, it's about implementation. The specs on the A/D chips used in even the XR25 are very good. The problem is that they require a balanced signal, and the analog circuitry used in front of the A/D to create the balanced input is of marginal quality. Between that and things like PS filtering/bypass it's quite possible that the XR55 is better in this regard even if it's using the same converters.
Of course, it's also possible that there were no circuit changes made, as I've never seen either a 50 or a 55.

nickspicks · « **Reply #11 on:** 17 Oct 2005, 05:11 pm »

they did it backwards. they let it out to all but one of their ES recievers..and then canned it as it was not cost effective.
as a result, the 9000es, which used to run about $2500..is now replaced by the 9100 at $5k.

the coolest thing about these newer 7100 and 9100, is that the channels are all assignable. you can dump them all into two channels and gain the power of the other channels for those two. Now, that is *way freakin' cool*, and would make the 9100 in two chan mode many hundreds of watts.

i'm tempted for the 7100, which my dealer tells me sounds better than the old 9000es. but i want to get back to tubes.

still, i'll never ever sell my 3000es.
too bad the analog outputs are shit, because it would be the scorcher DAC/PRE combo.

wje · « **Reply #12 on:** 17 Oct 2005, 05:37 pm »

I have a Panny XR55 with the Onix XCD-88 connected to it via analog connections.

Sound: Sweet, very sweet. In fact, I like it better than when I had the Pioneer 54TX with the Onix connected.

About the only downfall with this combination was that a ground loop was created somewhere in my system. A $39 DCI box placed between my CD player and receiver resolved the issue, though.

soundboy · « **Reply #13 on:** 17 Oct 2005, 06:26 pm »

Quote from: wje

I have a Panny XR55 with the Onix XCD-88 connected to it via analog connections.

Sound: Sweet, very sweet. In fact, I like it better than when I had the Pioneer 54TX with the Onix connected.

About the only downfall with this combination was that a ground loop was created somewhere in my system. A $39 DCI box placed between my CD player and receiver resolved the issue, though.

Ground loop?

wje · « **Reply #14 on:** 17 Oct 2005, 06:49 pm »

Quote from: soundboy

Ground loop?

Yeah, I think I have the term right. Some "hum" was being introduced between my CD player and receiver due to a ground issue. The $39 DCI box resolved the issue as it sent a 60Hz wave to counter the 60Hz ground hum that was making noise on my analog lines.

soundboy · « **Reply #15 on:** 17 Oct 2005, 09:54 pm »

Quote from: wje

Yeah, I think I have the term right. Some "hum" was being introduced between my CD player and receiver due to a ground issue. The $39 DCI box resolved the issue as it sent a 60Hz wave to counter the 60Hz ground hum that was making noise on my analog lines.

I wonder if they will have with other analog components?

CSMR · « **Reply #16 on:** 23 Oct 2005, 07:39 am »

Quote from: wje

I have a Panny XR55 with the Onix XCD-88 connected to it via analog connections.

Sound: Sweet, very sweet. In fact, I like it better than when I had the Pioneer 54TX with the Onix connected.

That doesn't make sense. Why subject the signal to an unnecessary dac and adc stage? It's not surprising that you prefer the sound with a new amp, but can you really like the sound better than with the panasonic connected digitally?

Feisal K · « **Reply #17 on:** 23 Oct 2005, 12:36 pm »

Quote from: CSMR

That doesn't make sense. Why subject the signal to an unnecessary dac and adc stage?

possibly the HDCD decoding that's afforded by the XCD88 DACs

tschanrm · « **Reply #18 on:** 24 Oct 2005, 01:24 am »

A good option for analog audio for class d receivers would be JVC's lineup of digital receivers. Just make sure to hook up the analog outputs to the 6 ch input of them. All of panasonic's line goes analog in-->a/d stage-->amp---->Speaker; JVC's lineup (if 6 ch in is used) goes analog in--->amp-->speakers. Only problem is the rx-d701 is the only one with good speaker terminals for all channels.

ABEX · « **Reply #19 on:** 5 Nov 2005, 04:25 am »

You can also use Single Solid Core Wire for speaker wire. I use something similar to 47Labs OTA for speaker wire.

For an Analog section I also am looking for something different as I want to use my Vinyl System again.

I think I followed the question correct.

I was looking at JVC's line up tonght also. I might go back to the regular Analog Class A setup for amplification next year after I move and can afford Ultra Hi-End stuff.

This looked interesting to me tonight although I want a good analog section for Vinyl Playback.

http://www.hometheatersound.com/equipment/linar_model_10.htm