Question about Analogue multi-channel audio

[LBrize]

I have a Denon DVD player that has 5 or 6 analogue RCA-type outputs, and a Harman Kardon Receiver with multi-channel audio inputs; I think HK calls it "6 Channel Direct" or something like that.

My question is, will I get better sound from the DVD Player on movies using the analogue channels than what I get now using the optical digital output?

Thanks!

[Marty913]

I have a Denon DVD player that has 5 or 6 analogue RCA-type outputs, and a Harman Kardon Receiver with multi-channel audio inputs; I think HK calls it "6 Channel Direct" or something like that.

My question is, will I get better sound from the DVD Player on movies using the analogue channels than what I get now using the optical digital output?

Thanks!

If I understand you correctly, it's an issue of whether the DVD player is a better "decoder" of Dolby Digital / DTS or whether the HK Receiver is the better decoder. Typically, the receiver is the better decoder so feeding the signal via optical cable from the player to the receiver would be the better way.

[skykeys]

I have a Denon DVD player that has 5 or 6 analogue RCA-type outputs, and a Harman Kardon Receiver with multi-channel audio inputs; I think HK calls it "6 Channel Direct" or something like that.

My question is, will I get better sound from the DVD Player on movies using the analogue channels than what I get now using the optical digital output?

Thanks!

The 6 RCA outputs are probably for the SACD and DVD-Audio 5 channel music mix formats that may not work via the optical output. That is the case with my Denon 1920. I use the RCA connections out from my Denon into my Yamaha receiver to get the SACD formated discs to give me the true surround sound output (along with the proper setting on the receiver). Perhaps DVD-Audio works via the optical or HDMI out, I'm not sure; but SACD discs definitely require the RCA connections on my Denon. I happen to love the SACD format. Not sure what will happen with it moving forward, but I'm enjoying those discs now.

So, those RCA connections are for the CD music formats, not the DVD movies. DVDs should give you the surround sound from the HDMI output - assuming you have one.

Regards.

[LBrize]

Thanks for the help. Let me see...yep, the Denon I have is the 1920 also. I found since I posted that the DVD surround does work via the analogue outputs. I've come to the conclusion that the Denon does have a better D/A converter than the Harman Kardon receiver. In music, the sense of space is so much greater its like hearing a new system. My speakers are capable of so much more than I knew. It's that much better! The downside? None really on music, it just sounds better.

On movies, the same placement and sense of depth is much better as described for music, and it seems that the distortion is lower (although specs indicate I shouldn't be able to hear a difference). Voices actually come from the center channel, and surround stuff sounds so much more "surroundy." The only drawback, which is in a way and not in a way, is the difference in subwoofer output and control. Even after tweeking the heck out of the system and matching all channels for volume-and matching volumes for switching between analogue/digital- I found that the DD and DTS converter built in to the HK sends a LOT more bass to the subwoofer. The sub doesn't sound nearly as controlled with the HK, and I don't know why there would be that big of a difference but there is. The downside is that the bass doesn't sound as clean, but the thing is, when your listening to nearly 90dB explosions, can you really tell a difference in tonal quality or is the "pound your chest" volume more important?

I believe I will stick to the Denon convertor until I can or choose to afford a "high end" decoder/preamp, as the sense of spaciousness, and accuracy in imaging, as well as just an overall better sound seems to result from using the analogue outputs rather than letting the HK decode.

My rationale is that with the receiver, there's a preamp, processor, amplifiers, video switching, AM/FM, all that stuff, and the list price isn't that much more than the DVD player itself, which prides itself on it's D/A converter. The most important thing, as usual though, is it just sounds better to me.

I recommend if you have the player with the option of running analogue outputs to give it a try, I've had my setup for quite a while, always thinking "digital has to be better, afterall there's no loss in data."

As a side, when in this 6 channel direct mode, there's no bass, treble, or balance controls, so I guess the HK is more of a true preamp only when in this mode.

Thanks again for your posts!


P.S. As for the HDMI, my receiver is a couple years too old for that stuff, I have my HDMI output going directly to my tv, and WAS running the optical digital output to the receiver for surround sound.