Do you guys recommend expensive analogue cables for hooking up players to a receiver? I'm using the Oppo 981, and I have a lot of generic cables, but I'm unsure as to whether or not these will provide quality sound for SACD and DVD-A. Any suggestions? Thanks

I'm not sure what you consider expensive, but you might consider these cables. I own these cables and I'm satisfied with them. The connectors fit snugly and each cable is marked accordingly (L, R , C etc.), this helps with installation if you have numerous cables as in my system. They are also labeled directionally, although I'm not convinced this makes any difference in sound quality. The shielding is of good quality also. For about $10 per cable it's worth considering.

http://www.buy.com/prod/acoustic-research-pr-136-pro-ii-series-5-1-sacd-dvda-audio-cable-set/q/loc/111/90140151.html

Can someone direct me to a thread where I-link is debated against using analog cables? I'm sure there is one around here somewhere but I can't find it.

I have a Pioneer Elite receiver, but have realized that none of the new receivers have this, so I am curious if it's worth keeping the old one for the I-link.

Can someone direct me to a thread where I-link is debated against using analog cables? I'm sure there is one around here somewhere but I can't find it.


Try the Receiver threads if you haven't already. I have no experience with digital connections for 5.1 audio as my Denon 4802R doesn't support it. The big plus (obviously) is one cable versus 6, but some receivers don't support good bass management thru the digital 5.1 output. Not sure if your Pioneer offers bass mgt. thru I-link. I'm using the Outlaw Audio ICBM-1 bass manager for analog 5.1 audio and this works very well, but again to many cables. Someday I'll upgrade my components to HDMI.

The current model 84TXSi has i-link. Also I believe that Pioneer will announce their new higher end Elite models in July.

I use i-Link to connect my 47ai to my 49TXi for playing DVD's, DVD-A's, and SACD. It works great in my experience.

Evan: I just realized that you are in Louisiana. Where?

Can someone direct me to a thread where I-link is debated against using analog cables? I'm sure there is one around here somewhere but I can't find it.

I have a Pioneer Elite receiver, but have realized that none of the new receivers have this, so I am curious if it's worth keeping the old one for the I-link.
With i.Link the decoding and D/A is done in a different "box". If your player has good DACs no need for i.Link, use analog outputs. i.Link is nice for a 1 cable solution for all audio formats. However, with i.Link you are mostly (if not all) restricted to connecting to a receiver. There are many players that have better DACs and analog components than the best receiver(s). Receivers can only take you "so far". :)

larry

The advantage of iLink (or other digital interconnections from player to AVR) is that it permits use of the setup/bassmanagement/EQ/etc facilities in the AVR without redundant A/D/A conversions. These features are rarely implemented, or implemented as well, in players.

Do you guys recommend expensive analogue cables for hooking up players to a receiver? I'm using the Oppo 981, and I have a lot of generic cables, but I'm unsure as to whether or not these will provide quality sound for SACD and DVD-A. Any suggestions? Thanks

The 981 should pass those formats over HDMI. My 970 does.

Unless your rec doesn't have that option

Do you guys recommend expensive analogue cables for hooking up players to a receiver? I'm using the Oppo 981, and I have a lot of generic cables, but I'm unsure as to whether or not these will provide quality sound for SACD and DVD-A. Any suggestions? Thanks

All you need is 3 good sets of analogue audio cables (Red and White). I use Monoprice's premium cables, which run anywhere from $2.50 to $11.00 for a set, depending on length.

You can try these (see "5.1 audio cables"), which are inexpensive and will keep your cabling nice & neat:

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/analog_audio_cables.html

I bought a set from blue jeans (maybe $70 or so for 3'). They're excellent quality, but I think the above set from RAM probably would've been fine for my ears/equipment.