Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo SACD/DVD-A with an Integrated Amp

If you have a universal player and want to hook it up to an integrated amp just for two-channel listening, can you take advantage of the stereo SACD and two channel DVD-Audio tracks as well as redbook CD? Do you need to hook up the FL and FR channels from the multi out on the universal to another set of inputs other than CD input on the amp to get the SACD/DVD-A playback? Also, how does adding in a sub work?

Dermott, since nobody who actually does this has replied, I'll give you my view. If you mean can those SACD and DVD-A tracks be played through an integrated stereo amp, the answer is that sure they can; the left and right front analog outputs would be connected to the CD inputs on the amp as usual(the player would select what tracks are being played) and the sub out would be connected with a coaxial cable to a powered sub. Whether there would be any noticeable "advantage" would be another matter. The main attraction of these formats is the possibility of multi-channel surround music play. Re-mixing and re-mastering for these formats may or may not result in better sound than on an old CD of the same performance. Stereo playback may or may not be noticeably better.

Dermott, I think the answer is yes, providing you use the *analog* FL and FR inputs on your integrated amp. They're usually labeled "multi-ch analog in", or "6 ch analog in", or "5.1 analog in".

You can't use the digital optical or coax input and get the high resolution SACD/DVD-A data. This also means you can't use your receiver's bass management for analog inputs. Many newer SACD or universal players have bass management built in -- check your manual.

SACD and DVD-A are different: SACD may have a "Redbook" CD layer, in which case you can use digital in, but it will only function like a CD -- no high res audio, no surround. You would get the benefit of any remix/remaster work done for the Redbook layer, the same as a remastered stereo CD.

DVD-A has a Digital Dolby or DTS 5.1 track, so you can use digital input for that, and still get surround, bass management, and higher resolution (than CD, but not DVD-A levels). Your receiver can possibly "fold down" 5.1 to stereo if you don't have surround or a sub -- check your manual.

The thing to remember: high-res SACD or DVD-A requires analog. You can't use the coax or digital connection for this. The SACD Redbook layer can use digital, as can the DVD-A DD/DTS 5.1 track.

If you connect the FL and FR analog outputs of your universal player to the FL and FR analog inputs of your receiver, and configure your *player's* (not receiver's) speaker configuration and bass management for 2 ch stereo, it should work.

Thanks for the replies guys! I didn't think anyone was gonna jump in.

So for the time being, I would be running this player to an older Prologic only 5 channel amp that does have a 5.1 channel input (I still would be using it only for stereo use). I should just have one pair of analog cables from the player's FL & FR going to the FL & FR 5.1 input on the amp and I should be set for both Redbook and high-rez stuff for 2-channel right? In this case it is the DACs in the player handling the decoding/conversion duties rather than the ones in the amp (I would assume the DACs in the new player would be much better than an old Sony Best Buy amp, right?) Later, if I upgrade to a nicer integrated amp, I could be doing the same thing, just have the analog pair go into the CD inputs on the integrated. I should not even have to do anything with the 2 channel outputs on the player, right? Sorry if I am just asking the same questions overs again I just want to make sure I've got it right in my head before I start down this path.

Re "setting for both Redbook and hi-rez stuff for 2-channel"

You'd set your player's (not receiver's) speaker config for 2-ch. If you have a sub and if the player's speaker config and bass management supports 2.1, then set it for that.

Re "is it...the DACs in the player handling the decoding...rather than the once in the amp"

Yes, but for SACD and DVD-A hi-res data, the player DACs almost always handle this, even for brand new integrated amps. Due to piracy concerns most high-res players only output hi-res in analog.

Re "if I upgrade to a nicer integrated amp...just have the analog pair go to the CD inputs on the integrated"

No, the player analog out will generally go to the multichannel or 5.1 analog inputs on the receiver, even if you only have stereo outputs (FR & FL cables). If you don't want high-res and if the SACD disc has a Redbook layer (aka hybrid disc), you can use a single digital cable between receiver and player. Likewise for DVD-As with a DD/DTS 5.1 track, the digital cable will work.

I think that's how it works. If anyone knows differently, please correct me.

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Likewise for DVD-As with a DD/DTS 5.1 track, the digital cable will work.

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So far with dvda and the digital connection to my receiver, i have had no DTS or DD signal detected. Maybe i need more dvda for testing.

Dermott, first on terminology, when you said "integrated amp" I took it to be just a 2-channel preamp/amp, but you've got a 5.1 receiver with all those inputs, not what's usually called an integrated amp. So, disregard the point about the regular CD inputs and follow Joe's advice. Incidentally, no, you can't assume that the DACs in the new equipment would be audibly better at all.

Chess, my understanding(I don't do DVD-As)is the same as Joe's; using the digital connection, you should get DD or DTS 5.1 on any DVD-A(without any "higher resolution", if it would ever be audible). I suppose re-study your player manual on the point.

Chess, nested deep within your player's menu system, there's probably an option to enable DD 5.1 and DTS 5.1 output. The default mode is usually off (PCM only). This will keep your receiver from receiving DD or DTS signals from DVD-As.

Why do player mfgs do that? It seems illogical but is probably for backward compatibility with older receivers that don't have on-board DD/DTS 5.1 decoding.

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Chess, my understanding(I don't do DVD-As)is the same as Joe's; using the digital connection, you should get DD or DTS 5.1 on any DVD-A(without any "higher resolution", if it would ever be audible). I suppose re-study your player manual on the point.

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My player has limited options, i've used them all. The manual is quite horrible and short on descriptions. The receiver just won't pick up a DTS or DD track but its possible that my dvda may not have it. It does not say it does anywhere on the boxes. Maybe this is not coded onto each dvda.
The multi channel sound otherwise is truly fantastic. Have to tweak the dvdp delay settings though. Makes it difficult if your surrounds are not the same distance apart.

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Chess, nested deep within your player's menu system, there's probably an option to enable DD 5.1 and DTS 5.1 output. The default mode is usually off (PCM only). This will keep your receiver from receiving DD or DTS signals from DVD-As.

Why do player mfgs do that? It seems illogical but is probably for backward compatibility with older receivers that don't have on-board DD/DTS 5.1 decoding.

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I have looked, believe me.
The notion of a user having to select such items as "bitstream" or PCM is very annoying. An auto detect is a very logical step to make.