[c722]

I just realized the EXT IN of my Denon 3803 (which is connected to a Panasonic RP82's 5.1 out) sounds much better than the digital in from the same player in dvds. The EXT IN overall has larger sound stage, "deeper" center channel , and cleaner in hi freqs. The difference is not subtle. I see both the RP82 and the 3803 have 192bit DACs but the result seems to suggest the RP82 has a better chip. Is this normal , or I missed something ?


( the 3803 is connected to Energy Take 5.2 sats...)

 

[Dan Hitchman]

Are you running DVD-Audio discs on the RP82 (hence the 6 analog cables)?


If that's what you're using as a way to measure the difference, then it isn't a fair test. The DVD-Audio PCM tracks, only available through the analog outputs, are of much higher resolution and are either not compressed at all or lossless compressed using MLP. Through the digital inputs you can only get the DTS or Dolby Digital tracks, which are highly compressed.


Maybe that's it??


Also, the treble and bass settings will be different between the player and the receiver.


Dan

 

[Sorny]

Then there are bass management issues, speaker delay settings and such that should also be checked.


Sorny

 

[c722]

... it's not dvda, just a normal dvd movie's Dolby Digital track ...

 

[zan789]

I would double check both the settings within the 3803 and the settings within the DVD player to make sure everything is in order. For instance, make sure the DVD player is set to output bitstream, or stream, instead of PCM through the digital output.

 

[c722]

thanx all for your advice...

... I have already checked dvdp's settings; it's in bitstream ...


In fact I had the same problem with my old receiver. it's a yamaha 630. I thought it was the yamaha that had an inferior DAC ( it was 96bit ). so I bought the 3803 hoping it can at least match the dvdp. now I'm really puzzled ..


bass/treble setting does not change much...

 

[sfogg]

Have you level matched between the two? If the signal going through theanalog pass-thru is louder then that can trick you into thinking it sounds better then the internal decoding.


Other then that make sure you don't have anything like re-eq or compression turned on in either the player or the Denon.


Shawn

 

[c722]

 I've checked.. the level is matched; also there is no re-eq done at the player. I dun know if the 3803 has any functions like this but I do not think I use any of them.

now to think of it, the Denon is definitely better than the old yamaha, but still not as good as the RP82.

... this thing really puzzles me... is there anyone who can try his RP82's 5.1 out and compare with the Denon ?


... maybe tonite I try setting all speakers as large in both the player and the denon and see if there is still the difference...