I know dacs are digital to analog converters, so with a ps3 and only hdmi connection, what specs should i look for in a receiver? I was looking into some older model nad's or possibly arcam , b&k. However, those older ones are fiber optic only. Will those sound better than lets say, hdmi connection to a pioneer 1018 as i have now, listening to dolby truhd on bluray? any advice is appreciated. thank you
PS3 hdmi to any receiver, dac's are not needed correct?
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penn is correct, but to add a little, you asked about the older receivers only having optical. There is an article here where a magazine's staff did some testing of lossless versus both types of lossy(high bitrate and regular).
The results were quite surprising. It was determined that there was very little difference between lossless and high bitrate lossy, the kind you find on BRs. Remember though, that this is just what they came up with. I am inclined to agree with them though.
penn is correct, but to add a little, you asked about the older receivers only having optical. There is an article here where a magazine's staff did some testing of lossless versus both types of lossy(high bitrate and regular).
The results were quite surprising. It was determined that there was very little difference between lossless and high bitrate lossy, the kind you find on BRs. Remember though, that this is just what they came up with. I am inclined to agree with them though.
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yes. it would/will sound the same.
yes. the older models sound better.
i know these things because i am an expert.
yes. it would/will sound the same.
yes. the older models sound better.
i know these things because i am an expert.
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9,618 Posts
Right.
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Bkj69, I suggest you do some window shopping. Go listen to some older, high end processors and see what you think. Sound quality variations among receivers are very much a matter of personal taste.
As for the differences between lossless and the legacy codecs over optical, there haven't been any rigorous, impartial studies published. I think the prevailing view among those who do comparisons is that the DTS core on BD is pretty much as good as dts-MA. DD 5.1 at 640kbps on Blu comes close to TrueHD, although more people report hearing improvements with TrueHD. So, it's not a stretch to say that optical to an excellent older AVR may out-perform lossless to an inferior receiver.
Right.
Bkj69, I suggest you do some window shopping. Go listen to some older, high end processors and see what you think. Sound quality variations among receivers are very much a matter of personal taste.
As for the differences between lossless and the legacy codecs over optical, there haven't been any rigorous, impartial studies published. I think the prevailing view among those who do comparisons is that the DTS core on BD is pretty much as good as dts-MA. DD 5.1 at 640kbps on Blu comes close to TrueHD, although more people report hearing improvements with TrueHD. So, it's not a stretch to say that optical to an excellent older AVR may out-perform lossless to an inferior receiver.
Trust me I am one who tests and samples before I buy anything for good. Problem is I don't have any higher end audio places near buy. Ive tested many if the receievers available at bestbuy and circuitcity before they closed. Some included onkyos, pioneer, yamaha old kenwoods and harman kardons. Chose the pio 1018. There's no way for me to listen to other models
It's impossible to give you a definitive answer, though, as people tend to hear things differently. Plus you have factors like the source material quality, the speakers, the room, etc.
If you spend enough time here, you'll see arguments for both the respected older receivers and the newer HDMI stuff. We can't even say that one is really better on paper than the other because a poster will come along with something to try to refute that on either side.
If you like the Pio, don't sweat the other stuff until you get the opportunity to actually listen to it.
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If you spend enough time here, you'll see arguments for both the respected older receivers and the newer HDMI stuff. We can't even say that one is really better on paper than the other because a poster will come along with something to try to refute that on either side.
If you like the Pio, don't sweat the other stuff until you get the opportunity to actually listen to it.
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