optical vs. analog ICs

beat · « **on:** 19 Dec 2003, 12:56 am »

Hey Guys,
I'm expecting my philly sacd in the mail tomorrow but forgot to think about ICs. It is for my HT setup (which is no slack for audio) and I want to know which way to go. My amp accepts both mutichannel analog or optical (yes, it is hi rez ready). So, Correct me if Im wrong but if I go optical I only need the one cable, right? Then the onboard DAC goes to work? If I go analog I need to have like 3 or 4 pair and I allow the players on board DAC to work, right? Does this then basically just ask which piece of gear has the better DAC?
Thanks in advance for your input,
beat

michael w · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 Dec 2003, 03:59 am »

Is that a stock Philips SACD ?

The optical/coax digital out will only work for Redbook CD playback.

To listen to SACD's in high resolution you will still need six analog IC's to your multi-channel amp.

A PIA !

cheerio

beat · « **Reply #2 on:** 19 Dec 2003, 05:27 am »

Yeah,
it is a stock 962. So what is the difference between redbook and other high rez? Is it the difference between 2 channel and multi?

bubba966 · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Dec 2003, 05:53 am »

Quote from: beat

Yeah,
it is a stock 962. So what is the difference between redbook and other high rez? Is it the difference between 2 channel and multi?

Nope, it's the difference between encryption & no encryption.

The RIAA doesn't want you making perfect digital copies. So in the new high rez formats they have various schemes of encryption to prevent such a thing. Which is why you can't digitally pass high rez (MC or not) via a standard digital out, no matter what player you have.

But you can get certain players that will pass high rez digitally via some sort of proprietary interface between transport & processor.

Ferdi · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 Dec 2003, 09:41 am »

Hi, you may have to do both:

You mentioned that the Philips will go into your HT system (I assume it also does DVD). For DD and DTS, you may want to go digitial (Coax or Toslink) as then you're done with 1 connection. If this is the best option depends on how good the processor DAC is compared to the one in the player.

If you want to do MC SACD or use the DAC in the player for DD/DTS, you will have to go the analog route for all channels. 5 interlinks, possibly more.

beat · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 Dec 2003, 03:39 pm »

Cool, thanks guys.
I catch your drift Bubba. Ferdi, thanks for the tip on the dts thing. I guess I better get to making some cables then. I like using the venhaus design. I think I have some spare nordost I can use in the meantime...I'm stoked to check out what all the talk is about.

michael w · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 Dec 2003, 10:39 pm »

Quote from: beat

Yeah,
it is a stock 962. So what is the difference between redbook and other high rez? Is it the difference between 2 channel and multi?

Bubba only touches on a small point of difference, recently rendered null and void as more and more Redbook CD's get copy protected.

For the real differences I refer you to these webpages:

http://www.disctronics.co.uk/technology/cdbasics/cd_intro.htm

http://www.disctronics.co.uk/technology/dvdaudio/dvdaud_intro.htm

http://www.disctronics.co.uk/technology/dvdaudio/dvdaud_sacd.htm

regards,

Ferdi · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 Dec 2003, 11:15 pm »

Hi, just for amplification of my original point:

- If you only want to listen to stereo through analog (and use the player's DAC), you can get away with 2 interlinks.
- If you want to get MC DD/DTS, you have the option of using digital interlink and the DAC in the processor/receiver.

I wasn't sure that got across.

BeeBop · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 Dec 2003, 11:59 pm »

Quote from: beat

Bubba only touches on a small point of difference, recently rendered null and void as more and more Redbook CD's get copy protected.

Can you elaboate on this? What happens to those of us who have outboard DACs and transports? Does this mean we will have to re-outfit ourselves with CD players that have inboard DACs and that only output analog? This sucks big time, does it not?

bubba966 · « **Reply #9 on:** 20 Dec 2003, 12:07 am »

Copy protection on Redbook CD's has to be designed to be backwards compatible with current hardware.

Which means that you won't have to buy a new player if you're using an outboard DAC.

And if your CDP has analog outs, it's got an onboard DAC. Though you may not like it's output as well as whatever outboard DAC you are currently using.