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Old 03-14-2008, 04:05 PM   #12 (permalink)
Ruined
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: NJ, USA
Quote:
Originally Posted by chlngr1970 View Post
Is there a real difference between 5.1 PCM over HDMI or DSD via the analog 5.1 outputs? I mean, we are talking a digital transmission of a digital signal vs. analog conversion. I don't have the stuff yet, but I gotta believe if SACD DOES sound better, it will sound better via HDMI 5.1 PCM, than analog...

What did I just say???

j
Well, again I think most of this discussion is pointless given the AES recent journal article findings on high-res audio, so I'd just say that the difference will be whichever has better DACs - the player or the processor. The rest IMO is audiophile theory that has no basis in reality (i.e. straight DSD 1bit sounding significantly different vs. PCM 24/96 when both were proved audibly no different than PCM 16/44.1 nevermind being any different from each other).

Also, with processors unable to apply advanced processing like room eq, BM, TD, etc, to a direct DSD stream, the DSD -> PCM conversion seems the most logical route prior to applying those effects. And, since players generally dont have things like room eq and advanced processing, i'd guess a modern receiver will sound better playing a DSD->PCM conversion than any player's analog output doing straight DSD. Again, this is just a function of things that do make an audible difference (i.e. room eq), vs the high res inter-conversions which have no significant impact on the audible signal.
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Last edited by Ruined : 03-14-2008 at 04:11 PM.
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