[TIC]

Digital dudes,

Has anyone heard the Sony combo connected via iLink? The DVP-NS9100ES outputs SACD and CD in DSD format over the iLink connection. Apparently the STR-DA7100ES then passes the unprocessed DSD stream directly to the S-Master Pro amplifiers. This would seem to be the absolute best case scenario for a digital source. Keep the signal in the same format and domain all the way to the output of the amplifiers.

For anyone interested in reading a technical explanation (sales pitch), here is a link to Sony:

http://www.learningcenter.sony.us/assets/hpd/hdtv/downloads/ES_STR_05_Final.pdf

BTW, I own the Sony STR-DA5000ES and I've really liked it. I'm not thrilled with the remote and setup is not as intuitive as some other receivers I've owned, but it sounds great, looks really great and has great video switching/upconverting to Component Video. The 7100 is supposed to be better, giving the 9000ES a run for its money.

Any thoughts?

Enjoy,

TIC

[mr_bill]

I would love to hear feedback on this as well.
The 7100es has been compared as better than the 9000es and comparable to the Anthem D1 in sound quality.  Using the I link and keeping things digital all the way to amp and then outputting to speakers sounds like a very high performing way to go for two channel or anything else.
I am referring to two channel sound and not just HT.
I hope we get some comments back from those without a pedigree problem.


Bill

[JDUBS]

Count me in on wanting to get feedback on this combo.  I had a Pansonic XR-55, a JVC FX-10, and now a Sony STR-DA2000es in my computer system.

The Sony is BY FAR the best!!  Songs originate from Foobar2000 v0.9.2....sometimes with SRC upsampling to 24 / 96...usually without.  That digital signal goes via USB to an external Soundblaster 2 NX.  From there it goes via a Bolder coaxial digital cable to the Sony.

The results are superb!  The Sony "Digital Drive" is for real!

[welwynnick]

This combo is reputed by those that use it, and similar systems, to be particularly good.  I have a Pioneer DV-79AVi ( 989AVi) and a Sony TA-DA9000ES, and even to a pair of critical ears that think my old Denon AVC-A1D sounds poor, I reckon it's a great sound every way you look at it. 

The DVP-NS9100 is one of the best sounding "universal" players, and is considered to sound as good as the SCD-XA9000 when used over i-Link, which is saying something. 

The DA7100 is a good partner, but anecdotal evidence is that it should not be used with low impedance or especially reactive speaker loads.  Otherwise it's fine. 

An all-digital signal process is very appealling, but it's surprising how much of a contribution the i-Link makes.  It sounds much better than SPDIF, and I suspect there is a lot of synergy in this SOny combo.

Nick