Bypass mode for unbalanced inputs?

[netarc]

Just got my C2 a couple of days ago - have a question re: the bypass mode ...

If I understand the manual correctly, the C2's bypass mode *only* works for a balanced analog input??

What, then, if one is running an external DAC (or a good CD player) that only has unbalanced (RCA) outputs? Must one use "stereo" mode, or is there another "bypass"-type mode (e.g., analogous to "direct" mode on Denon receivers) that an unbalanced input can be routed through?

[netarc]

Another question on this point - are analog inputs converted to the digital domain (e.g., for processing), then back to analog? I *think* this is the case, but I just wanted confirmation on this.

If so, then it appears the only way to benefit from an external DAC is to use the analog bypass mode ... and the only way to use this is thru the balanced analog inputs?

[Jariten]

I *think* it's also for the analog inputs
I'll have to check as soon as I get home

T.

[Chris D]

Netarc, thanks for joining the club! I think you're right about the bypass. I remember reading in a specification flyer or Parasound press release that the balanced inputs could specifically allow unaltered signal pass-through. (implying ONLY balanced)

Now, if you're using RCA inputs, like an external DAC or CD player as you mention, you should be able to turn off all DSP modes. You may still be getting D/A conversions going on internally, but the essential same signal should pass back out, without any real sound processing going on.




CHRIS
Luke: "Hey, I'm not such a bad pilot myself, you know"

[dimigr]

Hello there.

This is disturbing news since there will be a degradation to the multi-channel hi-res media.

[Jariten]

High Res Media?

such as?

[dimigr]

DVD-A and SACD

[Chris D]

Well, would this REALLY be significant degradation? I don't know that you're missing anything here that other processors offer as an option. It's not like the processor is taking the signal and adding reverberation or cutting a frequency range.

I understand your point, though, with external DAC processing, not wanting any further alteration.




CHRIS
Luke: "Hey, I'm not such a bad pilot myself, you know"

[dimigr]

Hello Chris

At the price point of the C1/C2 everything counts.
Right now I am using a four-year-old SONY TA-E9000ES Pre/Pro. When I bought this Pre/Pro it presented an excellent price/performance performer and the rest of my system did not warrant anything better. It presented better music reproduction from the CDP I was using at that time and all the movie sound format that I wanted plus a decent video switcher.
I have no complains about the movie format decoding. But there is no way to upgrade the music performance since there is no analog pass-through and the DACs cannot be improved. The list price was 1700$ still a lot less than the 4000 – 6000 for the C2/C1 respectively. The system since then has changed especially the speaker – amplifier part. Right now I have no plans to “upgrade” into those “new” music formats but when you consider that a complete system will run in the area of 30k we have be very careful about our choices. It looks that that the music industry will move towards these formats not because they want to give us better sound but because these formats have better copy protection (SACD). I want to upgrade the Pre/Pro but I do not wish in a few years down the road to be in the same position that I am right now but with a more expensive Pre/Pro in my hands.

[Dave0604]

You should be fine for DVD-Audio and SACD. From the Halo Manual:

Certain multichannel sources, such as SACD and DVD-A players, have internal surround decoders
and D/A converters and can deliver multichannel audio only via their analog output jacks. The diagram
shows a 5.1-channel source, the most common type today, and indicates the “Back” connections to
be used with 7.1-channel components when they become available. Like the balanced-line “Bypass”
mode, this is a straight pass-through of the analog signal from input to output, with no signal modifi-cations
beyond the analog level controls (including volume adjustment and the center, surround, and
subwoofer-level trims on page 3 of the Master remote’s C1/C2 menu).

[Chris D]

Woo hoo! Well, that seems to settle the issue. FWIW, I did confirm that this came out of the C1 Owner's Manual, page 41.




CHRIS
Luke: "Hey, I'm not such a bad pilot myself, you know"

[dimigr]

Thank you and yes this settles the issue.

[Nick V]

What happens if you have a DVD-Audio or SACD player, and you have an external DAC?

Would you have to switch the cables everytime you wanted to listen to your CD's, then switch back for DVD-A or SACD?

This seems like a mistake from Parasound. If the the Multi-ch. inputs, and the balanced inputs can bypass any DSP, and be analog from input to output, I'm sure they could have done this with the unbalanced analog inputs without any significant trouble. Am I missing something here?

The Krell Showcase, Anthem AVM 20, B&K Ref. 50 all have a bypass feature for all inputs, do they not?




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