Thread: DSD capability of AV receiver critical?

Posts: 23
Page: 1 2 3 next

Post by gearomad May 27, 2014 (1 of 23)
I use an SACD-compatible Sony bluray player to play SACDs, but I now realise that the output from my outdated AV receiver (Sony STRDB940) is only 44.1KHz PCM via digital coaxial cable. I haven't really been listening to the discs capability as I imagined.
If I purchase a newer Sony receiver with HDMI inputs does that finally get me into the SACD multichannel world, or does the AV reciever have to have some kind of expressly stated DSD capabilty on top of that HDMI connection? I was looking at the Sony STR-DH550. The specs talk about HiRes audio but not DSD per se.

Post by Iain May 27, 2014 (2 of 23)
gearomad said:

I use an SACD-compatible Sony bluray player to play SACDs, but I now realise that the output from my outdated AV receiver (Sony STRDB940) is only 44.1KHz PCM via digital coaxial cable. I haven't really been listening to the discs capability as I imagined.
If I purchase a newer Sony receiver with HDMI inputs does that finally get me into the SACD multichannel world, or does the AV reciever have to have some kind of expressly stated DSD capabilty on top of that HDMI connection? I was looking at the Sony STR-DH550. The specs talk about HiRes audio but not DSD per se.

Just curious, but why are you choosing to limit yourself to only one brand of AVR?

WRT your second paragraph query, the answer is yes. Also, either multi-channel PCM or DSD bit-stream will work fine. However, only top-end AVR will offer DSD bit-stream processing because of the cost factor.

Post by gearomad May 27, 2014 (3 of 23)
Thanks for the helpful response Iain.

No logical reason for the brand stickiness! - habit, trust from past experience, just figuring there may be some kind of intercompabilities I can take advantage of regarding remote controls.

I have bought a half dozen or so SACDs of albums I love musically. It would be disappointing if I was stuck at CD quality sound when more potential is on offer. I listen to quite a bit of vinyl and that alerted me to the shortcomings of the 44.1 sampling standard. SACDs seemed to be a step beyond that - with the removal of scratches and hiss etc. Resolution is more important to me than the multi-channel aspect. I'll report back on progress when I get a new receiver in place.

Post by Ubertrout May 27, 2014 (4 of 23)
DSD capability on a receiver isn't particularly important, especially on mid-level equipment. You should be good to go with the receiver you chose, provided of course your SACD player can output PCM audio over HDMI (which it probably can).

Post by trntbl May 27, 2014 (5 of 23)
Iain said:
However, only top-end AVR will offer DSD bit-stream processing because of the cost factor.

No they don't. DSD is not processed in any low-, mid- or top-end processor, other than DA-conversion.

Post by Tom Tiller May 27, 2014 (6 of 23)
Just a couple of words of my experience.
I use Sony BDP-S480 BluRay player for playing SACD and the signal is sent to ONKYO TX-NR905 AVR via spdif coax or HDMI.
The player outputs via spdif 44.1 KHz only. So it is the same as if I played a normal CD.
Through HDMI it can output either PCM at 176.4 KHz or DSD, both of which can be processed by the AVR.
If the DA convesion of DSD in the AVR goes through DSD-PCM-analog or DSD-analog pass is not clear.

Post by Disbeliever May 28, 2014 (7 of 23)
gearomad said:

I use an SACD-compatible Sony bluray player to play SACDs, but I now realise that the output from my outdated AV receiver (Sony STRDB940) is only 44.1KHz PCM via digital coaxial cable. I haven't really been listening to the discs capability as I imagined.
If I purchase a newer Sony receiver with HDMI inputs does that finally get me into the SACD multichannel world, or does the AV reciever have to have some kind of expressly stated DSD capabilty on top of that HDMI connection? I was looking at the Sony STR-DH550. The specs talk about HiRes audio but not DSD per se.

As far as I am aware all SONY AVR,s convert to PCM at the final stage including ES models but this is not an issue as they sound excellent and have excellent processing capability plus excellent FM, Line Stage & MM phono stage on the ES models. in my experience they are better than the brands I have tried. Arcam, Cambridge, Denon Marantz Onkyo ,Pioneer , I suffered problems with every one of the aforemention brands but of course have not tried out every model. I even had a problem with a Sony ES model but it was exchanged and has worked faultlessly for the past 4/5 years. Sony Technical say The STR-DA5400ES uses the full resolution of the DSD signal (32 bit) from input filtering to processing the signal, then & only then does the amplifier at the final stage convert to PCM. This way you can ensure the full resolution of the DSD signal can be fully utilised. However Air Studios who work on Pioneer say this is blatant nonsense . I still prefer Sony to any Pioneer that I have tried even with Air Studio input apart from the latest Sony TA-1ES amplifier which IMO is rubbish despite rave reviews in HFN & RR & Words & Music seems Kal knew not to review it with the companion Sony HAP-Z1ES.

Post by AmonRa May 28, 2014 (8 of 23)
Disbeliever said:

DSD signal (32 bit)

DSD signa is 1 bit, so at least that part is nonsense.

Post by gearomad May 28, 2014 (9 of 23)
Am I right in thinking that there are a few variants of PCM?

If there is conversion to PCM - this is only helpful at 88.2Khz, because if it converts at 44.1KHz in the AVR this is means all SACD capability is negated and you are left with redbook CD quality sound detail.

When you guys speak of conversion to PCM in the AVR, are you referring to 44.1KHz only?

This would leave me with the conclusion that nobody can enjoy superior SACD sound without spending a small fortune on their AVR?

Post by gearomad May 28, 2014 (10 of 23)
"Just a couple of words of my experience.
I use Sony BDP-S480 BluRay player for playing SACD and the signal is sent to ONKYO TX-NR905 AVR via spdif coax or HDMI.
The player outputs via spdif 44.1 KHz only. So it is the same as if I played a normal CD.
Through HDMI it can output either PCM at 176.4 KHz or DSD, both of which can be processed by the AVR.
If the DA convesion of DSD in the AVR goes through DSD-PCM-analog or DSD-analog pass is not clear."

Thank you - I have the same BluRay player. I did a bit of digging on spdif (synonomous with digital coaxial?) and yes that is my current bottleneck. I assumed because the multichannel capability worked fine that this entailed it could handle everything else too. Looking forward to the HDMI capability. I'll be happy if I can get any kind of higher res than 44.1.

Page: 1 2 3 next

Closed