Video Asylum

Posted by cfraser (A) on June 29, 2009 at 14:33:33

In Reply to: RE: So if you use HDMI for your sound, don't you wind up going through the pre/pro's preamp anyway ? nt posted by oscar on June 28, 2009 at 08:53:24

Yes, of course! That's why I said I don't mind paying for GOOD analog output circuitry in the pre-pro. But "resented" paying for good analog output circuitry in the BDP, and for corresponding good analog input circuitry in the pre-pro...not needed with HDMI. Besides, most AVRs (what my pre-pro is) probably convert analog inputs back to digital anyway, since all the volume control circuitry etc. is digital. And...I want to use worthwhile things (IMO) like Audyssey...makes a big diff with movies I think...so might as well just leave digital sources' signals as digital until the final output stage. Bass management isn't nearly as good or flexible with BDP analog ouput...this should be enough reason to stay digital if you're picky. You may not like the idea, but when you get used to it, the HDMI works pretty well (the connectors are unnecessarily flimsy IMO) and is convenient, besides being overall quite flexible.

I'm not sure what you mean in your second statement, but my digital pre does not really interface with my analog pre. Digital sources (BDP, DVDP, both HDMI, Ethernet music) go into digital pre, analog sources (tuner, tape, phono, CDP analog outputs and stereo DACs) go into analog pre. The L/R outputs of each pre go into one (front/stereo) amp (input used is selectable), the surround channels go into other amps.

If I had a really good modern pre-pro, I'd still use the HDMI BDP output. No reason not to from what I've seen (heard). For both music and video.

Edits: 06/29/09