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October 7, 2014 - 12:25pm
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HDMI Audio Signal to Pre/Pro
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First, HDMI never carries analog signals. It is digital only.
Second, your description of what the Marantz was doing with DD or THD is unclear. Those codecs are multichannel (up to 7.1) but can carry stereo, too. So, it really depends on what is in the source for the Marantz to decode.
Third, the terms "process" and "reprocess" are vague. They can include processes such as digital-to-analog or analog-to-digital but those are usually referred to as conversions.
Fourth, I am not sure how to answer the questions as asked.
PS3 vs Oppo and for sake of argument, let's assume a 5.1 Dolby TrueHD disc.
I can set up the PS3 so the process/decode/interpret Dolby TrueHD or I can have the Marantz AV7005 do it. If I have the PS3 handle TrueHD, the Marantz says it is receiving a 5.1 channel stereo signal. Currently I have the PS3 feature turned that off and have the Marantz interpreting Dolby.
With the Oppo I have the exact same options via HDMI but since HDMI is digital the Marantz is ultimately doing the DA conversion, I would not be taking advantage of the superior DAC in the Oppo. Alternatively, I can send a 5 channel analog signal from the Oppo to the Marantz via component cables. This would obviously give me the opportunity to use that great Oppo DAC, but my understanding is that pre/pros won't apply the Audyssey settings to that analog signal or it will in a limited fashion like speaker size and distance but not the Equalizer.
When I turn Audyssey off, it does not sound anywhere near as good. Audyssey makes a monstrous difference and I see no reason why I would want to go without it or use it in a limited fashion.
So my questions are: am I right on assuming Audyssey is not applied or is applied in a limited way that would compromise it on an analog signal that it would receive via component cables from the Oppo? Would I experience any benefit with having the Oppo process/decode Dolby True HD vs the Marantz?
In a nutshell, I am trying to figure out whether it makes sense to upgrade to an Oppo. Based on my research to this point, it seems like there are some very strong reasons not to but I am basing this on info from some AV forums which I don't completely trust.
Is that more clear?
OK. I do not know which Marantz you are referring to but most will not redigitize multichannel analog inputs and, therefore, will not apply Audyssey to them. You can easily confirm this by seeing if the Audyssey light goes on in the front panel display.
I agree with your inclination that going to the Oppo so that you can use its multichannel analog outputs would not be advantageous for such signals. There are other reasons for choosing an Oppo. (I have 2 of them.)
I agree there are lots of reasons to like the Oppo's. I am still considering it, particularly the Darbee editions for improved video. The Oppo's upscaling is far superior to the PS3. That is a major benefit and the primary reason I am still thinking about it.
One final question, given that both the Oppo and Marantz are able to upscale, is there an issue of redundancy where the Marantz pre/pro's upscaling would override the Oppo's?
I am not a video guy but I use an Oppo with a Marantz 8801 and have not paid that any attention.