Newby, DVD to Receiver Connections

Scott ME · 08-20-2006, 06:11 PM

Hello-

I recently purchased a Yamaha DVD changer, the C950. I went to Sound Advice to purchase some optical cables when I ran into a salesman. He instructed me to buy the Optical cable plus a digital coax and hook both of them up. Is this neccessary? Did I buy one or the other for no reason?

From what I have read it seems like the two are very similar and can't see a need for both. If anyone could let me know if I need both or not I would appreciate it.

Thanks-
Scott

Joseph DeMartino · 08-20-2006, 06:20 PM

???? The number and type of cables you need to connect things to a receiver depends on the number of devices you're going to connect to it and what types of cables they support. Absent knowledge of that there is no way to tell anybody what cables they "need".

Both digital coax and digital optical carry ones and zeros, not analog signals that are highly susceptible to cable quality. As a practical matter there is no difference between the two. Some devices such as cable boxes and DVD players may support only one or the other, so maybe the salesperson suggested both so you wouldn't get home and find you had the wrong type of cable.

Like I said, what you need depends on what you plan to connect to the receiver, and you haven't indicated what that might be.

Regards,

Joe

Scott ME · 08-20-2006, 06:47 PM

Thanks, I was very clear that I was hooking up my new Yamaha DVD Changer to my Yamaha AV 2500, that was it. I think I fell victim to a greedy salesman. I wish I did some quick research before going into the store...

Joseph DeMartino · 08-20-2006, 08:36 PM

Quote:

I think I fell victim to a greedy salesman.

Either that or a totally clueless one.

There is no reason in the world to connect a DVD changer to a receiver using both coax and optical cables. It is like wearing a belt and suspenders at the same time.

The good news is you can almost certainly return the extra cable. I'd just return the more expensive of the two. (When it comes to cables I generally either buy them on-line before I get a new component or use the cheapest cables possible - usually the ones that come in the box - and order on-line later. Brick and mortar stores charge insanely high prices for cables that are no better in quality that what several HTF sponsors sell for a fraction of the price.)

Regards,

Joe

Scott ME · 08-21-2006, 09:21 AM

Thanks for the info, while on the topic... In this same encounter I was introduced to the concept of "Super Audio" CD's (I'm behind on things). I was told that I need to set up my DVD changer to the multi input channels in order for this to work (3 more sets of cables!). Would this also be necessary while having the optical cable hooked up to the DVD changer? I was told that I needed the optical for the DVD's and the cables for the super audio CD's. I thought his explanation made sense so I didn't even think to question it.

Please tell me this wasn't a lie!

**HTF Ads**

Joseph DeMartino · 08-21-2006, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Please tell me this wasn't a lie!

Well, it is either that or they are smoking something very funky over at Sound Advice these days. SACD is a digital audio format, and if your player supports SACD it will pass that signal to your receiver just that way it does the digital soundtracks of your DVDs. This guy must not only make a big commission off the insane SA mark-up on whatever cables he's trying to push on you, he's probably getting something under the table from whoever makes the cables.

Seriously, this guy is either preying on customers who aren't up on the details of this stuff and selling them crap they don't need or he should be sitting in a training class somewhere and not on the sales floor dispensing what is clearly not "sound advice". I'd call the store and speak to the manager about this, because this guy is going to hurt their business in the long run.

Regards,

Joe

Scott ME · 08-21-2006, 11:12 AM

Thanks Joe,

They will definitely be getting a call or a letter from me.

Regards-
Scott

BrianTwig · 08-21-2006, 02:18 PM

I am in a similar situation and could use some advice.

Here is what I have. I have a Marantz SR5600 receiver and a Marantz CC4300 CD changer I connected them using the manufacturer supplied RCA cables. A friend of mine who claims to "know" about this stuff (though I sometimes question his ideas and conclusions) says that it will improve my performance, sound, etc... if I were to connect them using an optical cable. Is this true?

Also said I should hook up the SR5600 to the Dish Network box by optical cable. Is this true?

Why? Thanks!

ChrisWiggles · 08-21-2006, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianTwig

I am in a similar situation and could use some advice.

Here is what I have. I have a Marantz SR5600 receiver and a Marantz CC4300 CD changer I connected them using the manufacturer supplied RCA cables. A friend of mine who claims to "know" about this stuff (though I sometimes question his ideas and conclusions) says that it will improve my performance, sound, etc... if I were to connect them using an optical cable. Is this true?

Also said I should hook up the SR5600 to the Dish Network box by optical cable. Is this true?

Why? Thanks!

For the CD player to the receiver, using a digital output from the CD player allows the receiver to do the DAC instead of the CD player. Depending on the quality of the DACs in the CD player compared to the receiver, it may or may not be better. You should listen both ways and use whichever sounds best (if they sound different).

If you're getting HD channels with DD over the dish, then yes you need to use either digital coax or optical out (both are SPDIF) to get 5.1 from that, otherwise you're just getting stereo.