cepheid Wrote: > That could very well be true... the receiver *is* applying Dolby > Pro-Logic IIx to the signal for surround processing, and that might be > causing an A->D->A conversion cycle. > > I'll try using the "Direct Stereo" mode of the receiver, which is > supposed to pass the input through without any digital signal > processing whatsoever. That means I won't get any of the surround > effects, but then again, I'd rather it sound good than have it sound > "cool."
Do, please, test for these obvious things! Perhaps even having a look in the manual? Also, don't compare while listening to Dolby processing. cepheid Wrote: > I'll also try the digital output, since that does seem like a logical > choice... and it would allow me to use the Dolby Pro-Logic IIx > processing without that extra A->D->A conversion. The extra bit is a "D->A->D". The first D->A being in the SB. cepheid Wrote: > (The fact that the SB3 digital output bypasses the SB3 DAC is the very > reason that I'm hesitant to use it. Since I'm sure the SB3 DAC is > higher quality than the one in my receiver, I feel like I'm "wasting" a > lot of the SB3's capability by bypassing its DAC using the digital > output. I know the SB3 has a lot more going for it than just its DAC, > but it's just one of those psychological issues where I would feel like > I'm "wasting" one of the main benefits by using the digital output. > I'll get over it, I know... I'm just explaining why I seem reluctant to > use the digital outputs.) > > Thanks for the advice! And thanks for not openly wincing at my > non-audiophile setup. =D You'd rather use the preamps A-D than bypass that so you don't waste a full D->A->D sequence? You also feel confident that the preamps A/D-converter is as good as the SB's D/A, but you don't think the preamps digital input will be any good (although you prefer it with your CD-player). Of course, there is a possibility that you will in the end get better sound by doing extra conversions -for example if the clock recovery in your surround pre is lousy, and it works much better using it's internal clock. But I would start by testing the digital input -especially since you like it with your CD-player. And then you have those analogue direct inputs as well to try out... Go and move some cables now instead of speculating! P.S: "New" gold coated connectors usually need a good cleaning. P.P.S: Adjust the volume when you compare. Apart from level mis-matching (as mentioned above), introduced distortion can make things sound superficially "better" (louder). The truly better sound may actually need a higher volume to be appreciated during an A/B. (A fallacy of the old A/B test.) -- P Floding ------------------------------------------------------------------------ P Floding's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=2932 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=22635 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/lists/listinfo/audiophiles
