Connection question (1 Viewer)

[Doug Smith]

Haven't updated my equipment for a long time, and should have asked this question here. I want to buy a new Marantz SR 5011. Does it support SACD's and DVD Audio and how do I make the connection through my Oppo BDP-93? Thanks for your help.

 

[Stephen_J_H]

In this situation, support shouldn't be an issue. As far as SACDs are concerned, the Marantz supports the native DSD codec of the format, so you should be able to bitstream the audio from the SACD to the Marantz and let it do the decoding. Similarly, in theory it should be able to decode DVD-Audio, as Meridian Lossless Packing is the lossless codec used by Dolby TrueHD [and by extension, Dolby Atmos]. If it can't decode it, you can simply set your Oppo to do the decoding, which may be your preference, as the DAC chips in Oppo equipment are highly regarded in the audiophile community, or so I'm told.

Connections are entirely up to you, My system is 100% HDMI, and I have no complaints. If you're not using object based audio [Atmos, DTS:X], you may choose to use discrete analogue channel outs, in which case your Oppo is doing all the decoding anyway.

 

[Doug Smith]

In this situation, support shouldn't be an issue. As far as SACDs are concerned, the Marantz supports the native DSD codec of the format, so you should be able to bitstream the audio from the SACD to the Marantz and let it do the decoding. Similarly, in theory it should be able to decode DVD-Audio, as Meridian Lossless Packing is the lossless codec used by Dolby TrueHD [and by extension, Dolby Atmos]. If it can't decode it, you can simply set your Oppo to do the decoding, which may be your preference, as the DAC chips in Oppo equipment are highly regarded in the audiophile community, or so I'm told.

Connections are entirely up to you, My system is 100% HDMI, and I have no complaints. If you're not using object based audio [Atmos, DTS:X], you may choose to use discrete analogue channel outs, in which case your Oppo is doing all the decoding anyway.

 

[Doug Smith]

Thanks. I didn't realize the new receivers could decode using the digital format HDMI. I'd always been told to hook up through the component jacks. My old Marantz had no HDMI inputs - only toslink and the other type of digital audio input ( the name escapes me) and it degraded sound so I was told.

 

[Stephen_J_H]

The other type was coaxial, which was digital with an RCA connector. Things have changed a lot since DVD-Audio has largely hit the dustbin and SACD is a [very] niche audiophile format; given the encryption involved with HDMI, the forat developers had no problem with allowing DVD-Audio and SACD streams over HDMI. I only own one SACD as of this writing: MFSL's release of Pet Sounds in stereo. It's glorious compared to my previous NoNoise CD from 1990, but given the frustrations in trying to acquire other titles on SACD [acquiring Big Star's #1 Record/Radio City combo disc has been an exercise in futility], I don't know if I can be bothered much anymore.