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The best 7.1 analog output- blu-ray player? - Page 5

post #121 of 153
4/28/12 at 1:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martycool007 View Post

Hey guys. I am looking for opinions on comparisons as to which would be the better bet for a bluray player to hook up to my Anthem AVM-20 via analog 7.1 outputs/inputs for ddtruehd and dtsma playback? These can be had for similar prices so I need to pick one to go with. Both are under $200.00, and, if there are any other BDP's that have comparable or better 7.1 analog output playback, in the same price range, then by all means, post it up!

I have had excellent performance from my S1000es, although I do not use the analog outputs.
I DID run my Sony S550 with analog outputs to my Yamaha RX-V1, but could never come up with a way to balance the LFE channel properly between the player and the receiver. It always seemed to involve lowering all the channels except lfe in order to compensate for the weak lfe signal all blu-ray players output via the multi-channel analog outputs and then raising the volume of the overall system during playback. I will say the audio quality was excellent except for the balancing issue with the lfe channel - and I am sure the analog output of the S1000es will be equal or better than the S550. But I dropped the effort and switched to a receiver that handles hdmi and decodes lossless audio (Yamaha RX-V3900) - my problem solved with great results.
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post #122 of 153
5/5/12 at 4:04am
Ok so it looks like my choices for the best player for under $300.00, for analog multi channel connections, are either the Pioneer BDP-51 or the Sony BDP-s1000es. I am leaning toward the Pioneer. Any advise on these two, or recommendations for any other sub $300 players that I might have over looked? ( I will be buying used )
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post #123 of 153
5/5/12 at 5:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martycool007 View Post

Ok so it looks like my choices for the best player for under $300.00, for analog multi channel connections, are either the Pioneer BDP-51 or the Sony BDP-s1000es. I am leaning toward the Pioneer. Any advise on these two, or recommendations for any other sub $300 players that I might have over looked? ( I will be buying used )

The Panasonic DMP-BD85 had multi-channel analog outputs also.
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post #124 of 153
5/5/12 at 9:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martycool007 View Post

Ok so it looks like my choices for the best player for under $300.00, for analog multi channel connections, are either the Pioneer BDP-51 or the Sony BDP-s1000es. I am leaning toward the Pioneer. Any advise on these two, or recommendations for any other sub $300 players that I might have over looked? ( I will be buying used )

If you must buy used,I would avoild the pioneer drive failures very common.

The sony I haven,t used but best advice is buy a new player with some warranty.
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post #125 of 153
5/6/12 at 9:16am
Thanks for the replys, Victor and Moxie. The problems with the new units that you two suggested is that their analog output quality is not as good as the Pioneer's or the Sonys. I want to get the best possible sound quality that I can afford.
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post #126 of 153
5/16/12 at 6:33am
Hey guys, I am looking into possibly purchasing a Yamaha BD-A1010 to use with my Anthem AVM-20 pre-amp, connected via the 7.1 analog outs. I have read that this Yamaha unit actually sounds equal to or better than the Oppo BDP-93, when connected via the analog outs. Do you guys aggree with this? I can spend no more than $300.00 for a bluray player and the Yamaha falls under that price and the Oppo is above what I can spend. How do you guys think the SQ via the analog outs from the Yamaha to the analog multi channel in's on the Anthem AVM-20 will sound compared to something like an Oppo BDP-93 or BDP-83SE?
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post #127 of 153
5/16/12 at 11:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martycool007 View Post

Hey guys, I am looking into possibly purchasing a Yamaha BD-A1010 to use with my Anthem AVM-20 pre-amp, connected via the 7.1 analog outs. I have read that this Yamaha unit actually sounds equal to or better than the Oppo BDP-93, when connected via the analog outs. Do you guys aggree with this? I can spend no more than $300.00 for a bluray player and the Yamaha falls under that price and the Oppo is above what I can spend. How do you guys think the SQ via the analog outs from the Yamaha to the analog multi channel in's on the Anthem AVM-20 will sound compared to something like an Oppo BDP-93 or BDP-83SE?

You're persistent, I'll give you that.

Given that you own an expensive (?) Anthem AVM-20 pre-amp, is your $300 player price point really real?

FWIW I'm also in the market for a very *new* (not old) Blu-ray player. The Yamaha BD-A1010 still qualifies as new and maybe very new, whereas the OPPO BDP-93/BDP-83SE are both older players given how quickly the whole Blu-ray player thing keeps changing.

Re your post title of "Yamaha BD-A1010 SQ versus other via analog outs?" you are very unlikely to get any answer of real people who personally buy multiple players like this.

The Panasonic DMP BDT500 has started to ship this week and has a list price of $350, which is what I'm likely going to buy. I expect the street price to drop to $300 in the next 4-to-8 weeks which is when I'll place an order for one. See the still short AVS thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1386539
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post #128 of 153
5/18/12 at 3:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdavej View Post

Just get any player and use optical/coax. You'll still get excellent 5.1 which is better than DVD. The minuscule difference between that and the lossless HD codecs isn't worth the premium price, especially if you are on a budget. Many of use are doing that with our legacy equipment and getting excellent results. A lot of things are more important than hearing a few more high frequency nuances in an onscreen explosion.

Amen to that brother!!
Want better sound?, get better speakers
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post #129 of 153
5/18/12 at 8:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdavej View Post

Just get any player and use optical/coax. You'll still get excellent 5.1 which is better than DVD. The minuscule difference between that and the lossless HD codecs isn't worth the premium price, especially if you are on a budget. Many of use are doing that with our legacy equipment and getting excellent results. A lot of things are more important than hearing a few more high frequency nuances in an onscreen explosion.


What is the difference between using the optical/coax versus the 7.1 analog outputs to the 7.1 multi channel inputs on my Anthem avm-20? What would I gain or losse going that rought?
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post #130 of 153
5/18/12 at 9:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by OtherSongs View Post

You're persistent, I'll give you that.

Given that you own an expensive (?) Anthem AVM-20 pre-amp, is your $300 player price point really real?

FWIW I'm also in the market for a very *new* (not old) Blu-ray player. The Yamaha BD-A1010 still qualifies as new and maybe very new, whereas the OPPO BDP-93/BDP-83SE are both older players given how quickly the whole Blu-ray player thing keeps changing.

Re your post title of "Yamaha BD-A1010 SQ versus other via analog outs?" you are very unlikely to get any answer of real people who personally buy multiple players like this.

The Panasonic DMP BDT500 has started to ship this week and has a list price of $350, which is what I'm likely going to buy. I expect the street price to drop to $300 in the next 4-to-8 weeks which is when I'll place an order for one. See the still short AVS thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1386539


Yes I am most definitely persistent! I realize that the Anthem is a fairly expensive pre/pro, but, I got it for a really good deal that I just couldn't pass up. The reason that I mentioned the Yamaha BD-A1010 is because I read that this units analog SQ was on par with the Oppo bpd-93 and possibly ever the Oppo bdp-95. This was one of the few comments that I was able to find in regards to this product in reference to using the analog outs.

Unfortunately $300.00 is my budget for a blu ray player. I will probably purchase a new Oppo bdp-95 in September when I get my fall bonus at work. Until then, all that I can afford is $300.00. My receiver died on me a few weeks back, being that it was unrepairable, I picked up this Anthem avm-20 for a heck of a price that I just couldnt resist. Now I still have to find an amp for my speakers to work with the Anthem.
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post #131 of 153
5/18/12 at 3:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martycool007 View Post

What is the difference between using the optical/coax versus the 7.1 analog outputs to the 7.1 multi channel inputs on my Anthem avm-20? What would I gain or losse going that rought?

If you use analog from the player, your Anthem will not be used in any meaningful way. All processing will happen in the player and the AVM-20 will pass the output through to the amplifier. If you use a digital connection, then the Anthem will handle all of the processing. But, of course, you will be limited to the legacy DD 5.1 and DTS codecs. The high bitrate legacy codecs on Blu-ray sound great, rivalling lossless in quality, so the lack of lossless is no big deal except for the lack of discrete 7.1 on the small number of discs that have it. But, that's the difference between optical/coax and 7.1 analog.
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post #132 of 153
5/18/12 at 10:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martycool007 View Post

Yes I am most definitely persistent! I realize that the Anthem is a fairly expensive pre/pro, but, I got it for a really good deal that I just couldn't pass up. The reason that I mentioned the Yamaha BD-A1010 is because I read that this units analog SQ was on par with the Oppo bpd-93 and possibly ever the Oppo bdp-95. This was one of the few comments that I was able to find in regards to this product in reference to using the analog outs.

Unfortunately $300.00 is my budget for a blu ray player. I will probably purchase a new Oppo bdp-95 in September when I get my fall bonus at work. Until then, all that I can afford is $300.00. My receiver died on me a few weeks back, being that it was unrepairable, I picked up this Anthem avm-20 for a heck of a price that I just couldn't resist. Now I still have to find an amp for my speakers to work with the Anthem.

I respectfully suggest you look around for a Sony BDP-S550 or, even better, a Sony BDP-S1000ES. These are both excellent players with full lossless audio codec decoding & 7.1 analog outputs (I own and have used both of these models) and I expect you can pick up a nice one for around $100 or less. I just snagged a "new/open box" S1000ES for $91 + $20 shipping off EBay as a 2nd player because I like my primary S1000ES so much. These players decode lossless audio, provide HD video through their component outputs (something new players have gimped, if they even provide component outputs at all) and have firmware free of cinavia audio corruption drm programming. The S1000ES has wireless ethernet built-in also. Neither of these players support 3D or streaming, if that matters to you.
Then, if you want to jump into a player with a premier level (aka expensive) analog output section (like the Sony BDP-S5000ES or Oppo 95) you can do that and still have a great 2nd player when you are ready to make the leap. But in all honesty, I doubt you will feel the urge to spend the kind of money one of those players will cost you after using the S1000ES for a while.
Just a suggestion . . .
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post #133 of 153
5/19/12 at 12:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich86 View Post

I respectfully suggest you look around for a Sony BDP-S550 or, even better, a Sony BDP-S1000ES. These are both excellent players with full lossless audio codec decoding & 7.1 analog outputs (I own and have used both of these models) and I expect you can pick up a nice one for around $100 or less. I just snagged a "new/open box" S1000ES for $91 + $20 shipping off EBay as a 2nd player because I like my primary S1000ES so much. These players decode lossless audio, provide HD video through their component outputs (something new players have gimped, if they even provide component outputs at all) and have firmware free of cinavia audio corruption drm programming. The S1000ES has wireless ethernet built-in also. Neither of these players support 3D or streaming, if that matters to you.
Then, if you want to jump into a player with a premier level (aka expensive) analog output section (like the Sony BDP-S5000ES or Oppo 95) you can do that and still have a great 2nd player when you are ready to make the leap. But in all honesty, I doubt you will feel the urge to spend the kind of money one of those players will cost you after using the S1000ES for a while.
Just a suggestion . . .


Thanks for the advise Rich! I have been considering the Sony BDP-s1000es for a while now, along with the Yamaha BD-1000/BD-1010, as well as the Pioneer BDP-51fd. I am kind of stuck as to which one I want. It all comes down to which has the best internal analog sound. I must admit that I am leaning towards the Yamaha BD-1000 as it seems to have some really good reviews on its analog section. Only problem is finding one at a decent price. My budget is $300 max. I would love to be able to find a good Oppo BDP-83 or some other higher end Oppo but unfortunately most, if not all, of the Oppo bluray players that I have came accross, are selling close to their original price of $500.00.
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post #134 of 153
5/19/12 at 12:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BIslander View Post

If you use analog from the player, your Anthem will not be used in any meaningful way. All processing will happen in the player and the AVM-20 will pass the output through to the amplifier. If you use a digital connection, then the Anthem will handle all of the processing. But, of course, you will be limited to the legacy DD 5.1 and DTS codecs. The high bitrate legacy codecs on Blu-ray sound great, rivalling lossless in quality, so the lack of lossless is no big deal except for the lack of discrete 7.1 on the small number of discs that have it. But, that's the difference between optical/coax and 7.1 analog.


Ok so I guess I could use the coax output into my Anthem coax input and go digital but my Anthem only decodes DolbyDigital and standard DTS, no DD prologic II or any other of the newer codecs. I don't know which way would sound better, don't most newer movies (last 5 to 7 years) use one of the newer codecs, or at least better codecs that just plain old DD and DTS? That is why I am trying to find the best bluray player for $300 and under, so that I can find one that has all of the newer codecs decoded internally in the player then output those into to my Anthem, already decoded. (not sure if this term is bitstream or pcm?) I know that many bluray players offer this but there seems to be a huge difference in SQ between the different players' analog output stages.
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post #135 of 153
5/19/12 at 7:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by moxie1617 View Post


The Panasonic DMP-BD85 had multi-channel analog outputs also.

I would recommend the Panasonic over the Pioneer. I've had Panny & Pio BD players and I think you will be happier with the Panny.
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post #136 of 153
5/20/12 at 8:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martycool007 View Post

Thanks for the advise Rich! I have been considering the Sony BDP-s1000es for a while now, along with the Yamaha BD-1000/BD-1010, as well as the Pioneer BDP-51fd. I am kind of stuck as to which one I want. It all comes down to which has the best internal analog sound. I must admit that I am leaning towards the Yamaha BD-1000 as it seems to have some really good reviews on its analog section. Only problem is finding one at a decent price. My budget is $300 max. I would love to be able to find a good Oppo BDP-83 or some other higher end Oppo but unfortunately most, if not all, of the Oppo bluray players that I have came accross, are selling close to their original price of $500.00.

Although I am a big fan of Yamaha receivers (currently running a RX-V3900 in primary home theater and my old RX-V1 elsewhere) I have found Yamaha optical media players to be a bit finicky with media (CD & DVD). But that experience may not apply to their BD players. Pioneer players seem to have frequent firmware issues, if you peruse other comments in these forums. I've had excellent performance from my Sony BD players, and thought a 550 or S1000ES might be a very cost effective alternative even if only temporary. I hope this all works out well for you.
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post #137 of 153
5/20/12 at 9:22am
Asus BDS-700 is highly interesting at it´s price.
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post #138 of 153
5/20/12 at 9:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rich86 View Post

Although I am a big fan of Yamaha receivers (currently running a RX-V3900 in primary home theater and my old RX-V1 elsewhere) I have found Yamaha optical media players to be a bit finicky with media (CD & DVD). But that experience may not apply to their BD players. Pioneer players seem to have frequent firmware issues, if you peruse other comments in these forums. I've had excellent performance from my Sony BD players, and thought a 550 or S1000ES might be a very cost effective alternative even if only temporary. I hope this all works out well for you.

Yamaha's high end DVD players have been very buggy. But my experiences with my BD-A1010 have been excellent, I've throw countless of BDs and SACDs into A1010 and it played all of them flawlessly. I have yet to try out its analog output but from what I read on the web, the reviews are great on this.
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post #139 of 153
5/21/12 at 2:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Martycool007 View Post

Ok so I guess I could use the coax output into my Anthem coax input and go digital but my Anthem only decodes DolbyDigital and standard DTS, no DD prologic II or any other of the newer codecs. I don't know which way would sound better, don't most newer movies (last 5 to 7 years) use one of the newer codecs, or at least better codecs that just plain old DD and DTS?

Blu-rays don't output "plain old DD and DTS" over coax. Blu-ray uses the maximum bitrates allowed by the legacy codecs, about the twice the rates used on DVDs. The high bitrate Dolby and DTS tracks sound great, rivalling lossless.

So, even if you get an expensive player that decodes lossless for analog output, it's not likely you'll hear any improvement. In fact, since players don't do room correction and tend to have cruder bass management than many prepros, the lossless analog output may not even sound as good.
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post #140 of 153
5/22/12 at 11:41am
Is anyone familar with the Cambridge 751BD? It is supposted to have excellent SQ.

http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summary.php?PID=776

If you owned one would you go analog 7.1, or optical (probably not HDMI)?

I have a Yamaha RX-A810 AVR and am wondering, should I get a chance to buy the 751BD, what would be the best option of AQ.

Analog 7.1 or optical for richness in sound? I of course could go HDMI as well for audio.

I mostly view Blu-rays.
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post #141 of 153
5/22/12 at 12:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdavej View Post

That doesn't make any sense. There is absolutely no reason to entertain using analog or optical if you have HDMI, which you do. Players with analog outs (and this thread) exist to accommodate people whose AVRs lack HDMI. Yours has HDMI. Buying expensive players with analog is a complete waste of money in your case.

Not necessarily. It is possible that the sound quality of a good player's analog audio could exceed that of a cheap or poorly designed AVR's HDMI capabilities, especially for stereo playback where the advantages of room correction may be irrelevant.
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post #142 of 153
5/22/12 at 12:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdavej View Post

That doesn't make any sense. There is absolutely no reason to entertain using analog or optical if you have HDMI, which you do. Players with analog outs (and this thread) exist to accommodate people whose AVRs lack HDMI. Yours has HDMI. Buying expensive players with analog is a complete waste of money in your case.

I admit I am somewhat new to the audio part of Blu-ray players but I thought the reason people went to the analog was to pick up a richness that is not found with digital sound. That the 'audiophiles' prefered analog.
Perhaps I misunderstood what all the fuss was about with analog listening.

If HDMI is as rich and pure I will go with the Cambridge 651BD. I heard it over HDMI and the sound was much deeper and better than on a Denon 2012 I was listening to. The 651 does not have the high end analog audios out.

The Cambridge 751BD claims let the 751 do the decoding...its better than most AVR's.

"five Wolfson WM8740 24-bit/192kHz Digital to Analogue converters, Anagram Technologies Q5 192 kHz upsampling, a choice of digital filters and zealous attention to the design of audio circuits ensures the 751BD can reproduce the dynamics and scale required for the most elaborate movie soundtracks. The 751BD truly excels as an audio source supporting all high-resolution formats including DVD-A, SACD plus of course CD."


I wonder then why Panasonic is making such a big deal out of it's new 500 and the ability to output 7.1 analog audio.
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post #143 of 153
5/22/12 at 1:05pm
There is no digital sound. We can´t hear 1s and 0s. If a receiver don´t have a DAC you don´t get any sound period.

A lot of the receivers there is more focus on the hdmi and connectivity race then DAC section then sound section. Then as always sound is subjective and depend on synergy with your gear and all that.

As for HDMI vs optical you can´t get the dolby and DTS HD formats out of optical surround. Either HDMI or the 7.1 analogue outputs.

I have a Onkyo 709 receiver that I am quite satisfied it. It´s not really close to my dedicated DACs though is my subjective opinion . Just ordered a Asus BDS-700 and hope it will improve the sound using it´s own DAC even though that is not the primary reason I got it.
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post #144 of 153
5/22/12 at 2:34pm
It's supposedly not just the digital to analog conversion that a DAC does but what the DAC's other circuitry does in passing the converted output on.
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post #145 of 153
5/22/12 at 3:03pm
Thanks all, I am beginning to understand......
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post #146 of 153
5/23/12 at 8:50am
I realized I just had a brainfart. I got my Asus BDS-700 at home. I have been researching this for months but the 7.1 surround audio fooled me to believe it had 7.1 analogue connections which it most apparently have not ...

Not to put the blame on anybody else but me but why advertize 7.1 surround audio support since is there any bluray player on the market today that doesn´t through HDMI.
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post #147 of 153
5/23/12 at 10:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdavej View Post

I can understand that there are big differences in the analog section, and you get what you pay for.

Agreed.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mdavej View Post

The high end stuff does a much better job, and rightly so. But sending the near perfect output of an audiophile level player through a cheap AVR is where I see the disconnect. So you've bypassed your amps D/A but ultimately use its imperfect analog section anyway. What do you gain?

The title of this thread is "The best 7.1 analog output- blu-ray player?"

My short list of recent/current "best 7.1 analog" blu-ray players is the expensive OPPO 95 and 93 units (both already somewhat old), Yamaha BD-A1010, or the very new Panasonic DMP BDT500 which I see amazon now has in stock for $329.99, so I caved in and just ordered one for delivery two days from now (today being Wed. with delivery on Fri.).

Those that can hold out another 2-to-4 weeks will likely get a lower street price, but current amazon prime includes a great return policy so keep that in mind.
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post #148 of 153
5/23/12 at 12:10pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by OtherSongs View Post

Agreed.



The title of this thread is "The best 7.1 analog output- blu-ray player?"

My short list of recent/current "best 7.1 analog" blu-ray players is the expensive OPPO 95 and 93 units (both already somewhat old), Yamaha BD-A1010, or the very new Panasonic DMP BDT500 which I see amazon now has in stock for $329.99, so I caved in and just ordered one for delivery two days from now (today being Wed. with delivery on Fri.).

Those that can hold out another 2-to-4 weeks will likely get a lower street price, but current amazon prime includes a great return policy so keep that in mind.

I only had my 95 for a year and its old Although I'm a bit curious about the analog section on the Panasonic good to see them focusing on AQ again. This should be good
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post #149 of 153
5/23/12 at 12:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by audiofan1 View Post

I only had my 95 for a year and its old Although I'm a bit curious about the analog section on the Panasonic good to see them focusing on AQ again. This should be good

Yes, to some anything older than 6 months is obsolete and a basic throw-away item or at the very least it becomes a hand-me-down for the children's room. Fear not Grasshopper........ your 95 is so well built and is at the top of it's niche that obsolesence is not a concern. Besides, when someone claims it's "old", they're probably refering to all the streaming services that are available today. Otherwise, for straight playing of shiny discs, not much has changed in the last few years.

I love my "old" 95! Heck, I just recently sold my "older than dirt" BDP 83SE for 600.00, just 200.00 less than I paid for it 2 1/2 years ago.
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post #150 of 153
5/23/12 at 1:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by OtherSongs View Post

Agreed.



The title of this thread is "The best 7.1 analog output- blu-ray player?"

My short list of recent/current "best 7.1 analog" blu-ray players is the expensive OPPO 95 and 93 units (both already somewhat old), Yamaha BD-A1010, or the very new Panasonic DMP BDT500 which I see amazon now has in stock for $329.99, so I caved in and just ordered one for delivery two days from now (today being Wed. with delivery on Fri.).

Those that can hold out another 2-to-4 weeks will likely get a lower street price, but current amazon prime includes a great return policy so keep that in mind.

Doesn't hurt to learn a little more about 7.1 analog before we buy one.

I have been reading a bit on this highly acclaimed Panasonic DMP BDT500 or at least the reviewers say so.

Are you going to use the analog 7.1 for audio?

Please give us a review when you get a chance.
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