Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Analog vs Digital Output

I have an inexpensive Sony SACD/CD changer hooked up to my 861 through stereo analog inputs. I know that it is necessary to use the analog output for the SACD. Which output should I use for CDs? Analog or digital?

SACD sounds good but I am not sure if either DVD-Audio or SACD will survive DVD-HD audio.

ER Doc,
you should definately use the digital out for CDs.

If you used the analog out from the Sony then you would be doing DA coversion - using the Sony's inferior DACs - then AD & DA again in the 861. The 861 has no analog pass-through...

Note that this is what is happening with your SACDs & if your 861 AD card is a IA00 then the analog output is getting AD converted, internal to the 861, at 16/44...So you'd probably get better sound sending the SACDs redbook data to the 861 digitally. If you have a IA40 or IA45 things may be better.

Clearly for CDs if you go digital out from the Sony then the 861 will take this stream, process it and then DA convert using it's superior DACs.

Paul.

Thanks. I'll set up the digital output to input into my 861 and do some A/B comparisons.

Rafael