Video Asylum

Posted by Dalancroft (A) on October 25, 2002 at 11:26:50

In my ongoing quest to improve sound quality cheaply, I am considering switching from the coax digital output of my Panasonic RP-91 DVD player to its RCA analog outputs.

My receiver is a Yamaha HTR-5150 (RX595a) that, while a well-built and decent quality unit, is nowhere near state of the art. I A-B'd digital vs. analog out for CDs and found the Panny to be more sharply focused, more extended in the treble and slightly more "natural." By comparison, the Yammie's DACs yielded an artificially sweetened, soft, slightly muffled sound with rolled-off highs. I'm wondering if I would get the same, or similar, improvement using the Panny's internal DACs to the A/V receiver's RCA analog inputs.

Any downside to this arrangement, besides the fact that I would need to buy three more sets of ICs (actually, five since I already have a 3-foot Cardas-terminated Belden 1694a coax wire)? Do I lose bass management capabilities? Any thoughts in advance would be much appreciated.