Andy_Steb
Stunt Coordinator
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2003
- Messages
- 64
Ted,
You’re on the right track (second receiver vs. Zone 2). Let me try to sum it up for you.
The DACs in the Denon are better than the DACs in the Mac Mini. This is why the optical connection sounds better than the RCA connection. Even if your mini was able to output digital and analog at the same time, it wouldn’t matter because you prefer the digital connection.
The whole idea behind 2 zone receivers is to be able to play two different sources in two different rooms. The reason your Denon will only play analog on zone 2 is because, (has nothing to do with DD, DTS or licensing) in order to play two different digital sources in two different zones your receiver will need two sets of DACs. You’re going to be hard pressed to find a receiver to replace your Denon that will output a digital signal on zone 2.
Your options,
Analog out to receiver – you’ll get sound to both zones, will have to learn to live with the sound quality.
Drop the Mac mini and find a music server with a better analog audio output.
Digital out to receiver – you’re going to have to connect living room up to zone 1 with some sort of audio distribution device.
USB or Firewire sound card with better analog out than the Mac mini.
Second receiver – digital out of your Denon to a second receiver (second receiver will have the responsibility of digital to analog conversion in living room) to run the zone 2 duties.
Forget about 2 zones and set up a dedicated two channel system in living room.
You’re on the right track (second receiver vs. Zone 2). Let me try to sum it up for you.
The DACs in the Denon are better than the DACs in the Mac Mini. This is why the optical connection sounds better than the RCA connection. Even if your mini was able to output digital and analog at the same time, it wouldn’t matter because you prefer the digital connection.
The whole idea behind 2 zone receivers is to be able to play two different sources in two different rooms. The reason your Denon will only play analog on zone 2 is because, (has nothing to do with DD, DTS or licensing) in order to play two different digital sources in two different zones your receiver will need two sets of DACs. You’re going to be hard pressed to find a receiver to replace your Denon that will output a digital signal on zone 2.
Your options,
Analog out to receiver – you’ll get sound to both zones, will have to learn to live with the sound quality.
Drop the Mac mini and find a music server with a better analog audio output.
Digital out to receiver – you’re going to have to connect living room up to zone 1 with some sort of audio distribution device.
USB or Firewire sound card with better analog out than the Mac mini.
Second receiver – digital out of your Denon to a second receiver (second receiver will have the responsibility of digital to analog conversion in living room) to run the zone 2 duties.
Forget about 2 zones and set up a dedicated two channel system in living room.