dvd-audio setup question

ElevSkyMovie · 08-04-2003, 08:12 AM

I bought the toshiba SD4700 dvd-audio player about a year ago. I haven't found many titles I have wanted to get and I don't have a receiver with 5.1 analog inputs yet, so I listen to high rez stereo tracks.

The 4700 has 5.1 analog outs and a separate pair of L/R analog outputs. My question is this: I have been listening to the discs I have from the separate stereo L/R outputs. I have never noticed much difference between the dvd-audio stereo tracks and cds that I have A/B'd.

I looked through the manual and it looks like ( although the manual is confusing as far as audio goes ) the separate L/R outputs put out the same signal as the L/R in the 5.1 section. It doesn't look like the signal is down sampled or anything to L/R output.

I guess my question boils down to, which sets of L/R would you use until I get a receiver with 5.1 analog inputs?

thanks.

John Kotches · 08-04-2003, 08:47 AM

Kyle,

It shouldn't make any difference which set you use, however I am a little surprised you hear no difference between DVD-A and CD.

Regards,

ElevSkyMovie · 08-04-2003, 08:59 AM

The only dvd-audio title I own is Ah Via Musicon by Eric Johnson. I know the 5.1 mix is bad, but I bought it for the stereo track. Since I couldn't tell any difference in the cd mix and the high rez track, I thought maybe I was listening to the wrong outputs of the dvd player.

Maybe the stereo mix is just bad as well. I am going to try to pick up some more titles soon to try out.

Thanks for the answer, John.

John-Miles · 08-04-2003, 09:16 AM

Personally I don't notice much of a difference between SACD, DVD-A and CD. the only times i have been really aware of the differences are with disc's that i am very very familiar with.

for me its all about the multichannel.

But I will note that I don't consider myself an audiophile so I am perhaps not the most decerning listener, though i would definitely put myself a long step above your average consumer.

I suppose it could be argued that the problem i have is my equipment, but hey if ii NEED better to really hear the difference then i cant afford hi-rez. I am currently running a Yamaha S2300 universal player, a Yamaha RX-V1300 receiver, monster speaker cable, a set of PSB Alpha Intro speakers. all that cost me 3500 canadian plus tax, if that isn't enough then i cant see many people ever being impressed by dvd-a and SACD.

but like i said, the multichannel is amazing and what i really like about it.

John Kotches · 08-04-2003, 09:59 AM

John,

I'd consider you a normal person.

What you are noticing is the quantum leap difference between Hi-Res and standard CD, multi-channel delivery. This immediately stands out, whether you like the mix or not.

The stereo improvements for most will be small to none. Nothing wrong with that, plus your small difference would be someone else's "night and day".

Regards,

**HTF Ads**

ElevSkyMovie · 08-04-2003, 11:19 AM

Quote:

The stereo improvements for most will be small to none.

I would think that the jump from 44.1K/16 bit to 96K/24 bit (as Ah Via Musicom is suppose to be) would be easy to hear. I don't have good equipment, but I figured with a good set of headphones I would be able to tell a big difference. I could hear more depth on the reverb tails, etc., but that's about it.

Larry Geller · 08-04-2003, 11:39 AM

The 4700 has to be set to "downmix off" and you have to have your receiver set to analog (if you are also connected digitally to the receiver, the digital signal @ 48K will be sent to your digital decoder as a priority over the analog signal). ONLY the analog signal will give you the hi-rez track. With SACD, the digital signal is automatically shut off when an SCAD is played. This is not so for DVD-A (at least with Toshiba), so it has to be done manually. This works in stereo whether the player audio is set for 6-ch analog or Bitstream and is the same thru either the 2-ch or 6-ch inputs of the receiver (it will NOT work thru the digital inputs). In 5.1, it only works thru the 6-ch analog connection.

ElevSkyMovie · 08-04-2003, 01:30 PM

Thanks for the post Larry. Obviously you have some experience with the 4700, or toshibas at least.

I don't have a receiver with a digital connection, so that isn't the problem. It can get confusing sometimes, but I know that I can only get high-rez from the analogs. However, there are 5.1 analog outs and also a separate stereo out. Thanks for confirming that you can get high-rez out of the stereo only analog jacks.

I'll check to see if I have "downmix off" when I get home tonight. I would assume there must be a little difference between high-rez stereo and the cd.

Larry Geller · 08-04-2003, 01:52 PM

I have the 5700 & I hear a BIG difference! Check out the stereo track on Harvest or Music From Big Pink.

Stephen Dodds · 08-05-2003, 01:18 AM

I'm afraid I would have to join those who say that the differences between stereo DVD-A,SACD and redbook aren't night and day, provided exactly the same mix is used, which sometimes it isn't.

Multichannel is an obviously different kettle of fish.

Steve