Rotel Analog vs. Optical w/ Denon 1600

[aud19]

I'm mostly looking for an answer from Andrew (or anyone else for that matter with Rotel gear and a Denon 1600 DVD player) but other opinions etc are welcome

The Denon 1600 only has an optical output (no coax ) for a digital connection. As such I'm wondering what people have preffered with the Denon matched to their 1066's/1055's? Analog or digital for listening to 2-channel (CD's)? Or for that matter how about the 5.1 analog outs for DD/DTS vs the optical to the Rotel's? Would I be able to utilize the Left and Right lines from the analog 5.1 outputs for just 2-channel CD listening? Or do I have to connect seperate 2-channel analog outputs? How does the Denon 1600's optical output stack up in other words?

Thanks for your responses

J.R.




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[will1066]

Aud, Danbry has the 1066 and the 1600. He'll chime in soon enough.

If you're not using the 5.1 analog out on the 1600, it has a separate stereo analog out for you to use. If you will be using the 5.1 out, then you can get stereo from it and it's not necessary to hook up the stereo out. You can quickly A/B compare the Denon and Rotel yourself. Do both digital and analog connections. Then hit Ext In on the Rotel and you will hear the Denon. Hit Ext In again and you will go back to the Rotel processing from the Denon's digital stream.

[aud19]

Thanks Will. I thought Andrew was the one with the 1600... :? Oh well whoever! :LOL:

I do intend to A/B it myself, when I actually get the gear ops: , just wanted to hear people's opinions... Glad to hear about the 2-channel/5-channel thing though... Come to think of it I think I brought this up in another thread AND I think you answered it already...lol (LONG day at work!)

J.R.




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[Danbry39]

Well, actually, Andrew and I have the 1600. Unfortunately, I can't help because I use my Arcam CD player for CD's. I do use the analog connects for my DVD A's though and they do a really nice job for those.




Keith

[Andrew Pratt]

As such I'm wondering what people have preffered with the Denon matched to their 1066's/1055's? Analog or digital for listening to 2-channel (CD's)? Or for that matter how about the 5.1 analog outs for DD/DTS vs the optical to the Rotel's? Would I be able to utilize the Left and Right lines from the analog 5.1 outputs for just 2-channel CD listening? Or do I have to connect seperate 2-channel analog outputs? How does the Denon 1600's optical output stack up in other words?

I use my 1600 as both a single disc and DVD player and I prefer the Denon's DAC's to those in both the 1055/1066 and 1098. They're pretty close but when A-Bing them back and forth the Denon's Burr Browns have a slighty more smooth sound then the Rotel's but then it might be my room which is overly dead compared to most.

[art vandeleigh]

so let me get this straight, if you use optical (toslink) you are using the DAC on the DVD/CD player and if you use analog RCA A/V cable you are using the DAC in the pre/pro or AVR? is this correct?

[Mark_C.]

Art:

It's the other way around: optical means you're sending everything to the receiver/processor's DACs, while analog means the player's DACs are doing the job.

[Andrew Pratt]

Right when you use a optical cable (or digital coax) you are sending a digital signal to the pre amp where it will get passed to the Rotel's DAC's to convert the digital signal to an analog signal which then gets sent to the power amps. When you use a set of analog cables the conversion from digital to analog occurs at the player.

[aud19]

Thanks guys

So Andrew you use the analogs for music but what about movies?

P.S. Anybody know what Denon's affinity for optical over coax is all about? I mean 99% of people out there prefer coax but Denon seems to have this grudging acceptance to put coax on only some of it's products. I mean I got an AVR-1803 for my Dad (he has neither the need or $ for Rotel unfortunately) and it has only 1 coax!?! What's that all about? :? Also, Andrew I'd guess one of the reason you might prefer the Analog outs for music might actually be the optical out and maybe not the DAC's at all.....? 8O

J.R.




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[will1066]

The number and type of digital outs on a machine likely has to do with cost efficiency. Both the 1600 and 1803 are entry-level models.

[jk@home]

I have been looking around for a secondary DVD player based on the best video quality at a certain price point (like the 1600), seems like many of them output digital with toslink only. I think the main advantage of coaxial is it can be used with longer length cables, but the quality of the cable can also affect playback. An alternative is that there are a few toslink to coaxial converters are available, which also do other things like reduce jitter. I have an old Theta TLC unit that does this.

[Andrew Pratt]

So Andrew you use the analogs for music but what about movies?

I use the Rotel for decoding DTS and DD etc...I doubt I'd notice much differnece for movies since you're usually distracted by the 92" screen

I'm not sure why Denon dropped the coax output on the 1600 since its based on the Panasonic RP82 which has both :roll: Oh well while I'm sure coax would be a better choice I'm not loosing sleep over the fact its connected with an optical cable.

[aud19]

The number and type of digital outs on a machine likely has to do with cost efficiency. Both the 1600 and 1803 are entry-level models.

While they're both decidely not hi-end I can't agree that they're entry level. Towards the lower end sure but not entry. There are many players and receivers that are less expensive and of lesser quality (even within Denon's own line-up) and quite a few that have optical and coax outs at those lower price points.

J.R.




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[Phrog]

All right guys... how about this one:

I am using a Rotel RCD 951 CD player in combination with my 1066 and 1095. What is the opinion on connecting the CD player? Digital coax or analog. Just wondering if the 951's DAC is better than the 1066's.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Andrew Pratt]

phrog I'd try both but my guess is you'll prefer the CD players DAC's

[aud19]

It probably will be the analog's phrog, (hee hee... it rhymes :LOL: ) but atleast you have a digital COAX... lol.

J.R.




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[Phrog]

Thanks guys. Did my own test a few hours ago and determined you were both right. Analog hands down. Much more detailed and great imaging with analog. Using a BEL P1 interconnect.

[aud19]

I would imagine that's what I'll end up using too...

J.R.




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[Sickman]

Just wanted to update this thread as I have a Denon DVD 1600 on the way and I own a 1055. Is the consensus that people use the 1055's DACs (optical) for movies and the Denon's DACs (analog) for music?

Thanks.

[Andrew Pratt]

Yes that's correct.

If anyone cares I'll likely be selling my Denon 1600 shortly

[Sickman]

If anyone cares I'll likely be selling my Denon 1600 shortly

to be replaced with a . . . ?

[Andrew Pratt]

Liteon 2001. It can upconvert DVD's to 1080i so we'll see if it lives up to the hype. I'll then have to look at adding a dedicated CD player or an external DAC to the player

[Sickman]

You wouldn't use your Rotel's DACs? h:

[aud19]

The worst part about all of this is, the 2200, the 1600's replacement, has a coxial out AND plays SACD to boot! :twisted: Damn technology! lol

J.R.




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[Mike Hayes]

What types of cables would I use for stereo analog playback verses optical? I am assuming 2 basic interconnects with RCA plugs but am open to suggestions.

[Andrew Pratt]

Mike yes you'd use a pair of RCA interconnects. Note however that you'll hear differences between the basic cheapies and the better made ones. I'd recomend the CatCables Silvercats if you want some really good ones at a reasonable price