5.1 multichannel vs. optical cable

[ysml75]

Did anybody here do any comparison between 5.1 multichannel and optical cable connection? I recently purchased an Onkyo DVD/SACD player so as to play SACDs, but couldn't decide how to do the final connection.

Originally, I used optical cable to connect my DVD player with my receiver, so I'd get Dolby digital for most DVDs and Dobly Pro Logic II for music CDs. With the new player, I used 6 analog cables to enjoy the multichannel. For SACDs, this is much better than Optical Cable; for regular CDs, though there will be only two channel output (plus sub), the sounds seems to be clearer and base is much more real than the optical cable too.

My question comes with playing DVDs -- since most DVD's audio is in Dolby Digital format, should I still use the optical cable output and then choose Dolby Digital on the receiver or should I use the multiple analog cable output and then select multichannel on the receiver? I have spent hours comparing these two types of connection and still couldn't draw any conclusion.

I'm wondering if anyone here would give me some ideas. Thanks a lot.

[reeltrouble1]

For video DVD playback go ahead and use your digital optical or digital coax connection that is what it is there for and will most likely give you the best playback for the movie's soundtrack. Yes, you select Dolby Digital or DTS on your receiver if the disc has it as an option and your player or receiver supports DTS formats.

You defintely want to use the multi-channel outputs on your player for your High Resolution SACD discs.

RT1

[jdhdiggs]

Yup, use both at the same time. This should give you the best results for SACD and DVD