Denon 192kHz/24-bit A/D conversion v. Pioneer 96kHz/24-bit A/D conversion ? (1 Viewer)

[Brian_Crist]

The Denon 5803 has 192kHz/24-bit A/D conversion for the multichannel inputs for digital bass management. The 49tx appears to only have 96kHz/24-bit A/D conversion for the multichannel inputs for digital bass management. Does this mean that if one engages bass management for 192kHz/24-bit two channel DVD-Audio recordings on the 49tx the signal will be downconverted on the Pioneer and not on the Denon?

 

[Robert George]

There is no digital interface for DVD-A or SACD yet in consumer gear. The difference in question relates to the conversion of the incoming analog signal. The Denon uses a 192kHz chip and the Pioneer uses a 96kHz chip.

The question is, is there an audible difference? I suspect you will get different answers on that.

 

[Brian Crist]

Right. I realize that it will be digital bass management of the analog signals coming in from the DVD-Audio player. It seems like the Pioneer will have to donconvert the signal to apply bass management whereas the Denon will not. I also don't know how much that downgrade will actually affect actual detectable audio quality. But in theory, if something is recorded at 192 khz, one should listen to it that way without any conversion or why bother recording it at 192 khz to begin with. Of course this is only an issue to the extent that one uses the digital bass management in the Pioneer for high resolution sources.

 

[John Kotches]

Then again, if you're going with a 5803 receiver and couple it with the DV-9000 player, you can utilize DenonLink to stay digital from DVD-A to receiver. While not inexpensive (~US$8000 at the moment) it's about 1/4th the price of Meridians current solution (800+861), and will be about 2/3 the price of Meridians upcoming solution (598+568).

Until we get everyone passing the signals digitally it's going to be a mess, in wires and in results.

Regards,

 

[Craig F]

Brain,

The phrase "down-convert" sort of implies digital processing. Not the best word to use when referring to analog signals.

With either receiver, the A/D conversion of the signal, followed by another D/A conversion will cause the signal to "degrade". It remains to be seen if the 192kHz conversion causes less degradation.