Oppo 105 Multi-channel Analog vs HDMI?

Bachtoven

Bachtoven

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I listen almost entirely to classical music, and when I listen via the the Oppo 105's multi-channel analog outs (I use the main stereo LT/RT for the front channels per the manual's suggestion), the sound is rather boxy/congested and has little depth. Via HDMI, the sound just blooms! The imaging is far wider, deeper, and the sound is simply more open sounding. I find this to be very puzzling since the analog section of the 105 is so highly touted. Any suggestions? (Actually, I prefer my Sony 5400 overall, but that's another topic!)
 
It could be your cables for you analog output. Also, when you go out HDMI, what are you going in to? Your 8801?

Lastly, I don't think the analog output (read: Oppo DAC) is all that great. I personally rank the SABRE DAC chips near the bottom of the list in terms of performance. The Wolfson near the top. YMMV.
 
I've tried different cables...the Analysis Plus Ovals that I'm currently using sound the best. Yes, HDMI to the 8801.
 
Unless I'm mistaken, the 8801 contains the TI Burr Brown PCM1795 DAC chipset....hence, one of the reasons why you may prefer it over the Oppo. What you are describing, sounds very "SABREish" to me! :)
 
Haha, that might be it! I like the idea that the Sony only plays SACDs and CDs--I think the Oppo tries to do too much. It certainly sounds good via HDMI, but the Sony has just a bit more clarity and detail.
 
Bachtoven said:
I listen almost entirely to classical music, and when I listen via the the Oppo 105's multi-channel analog outs (I use the main stereo LT/RT for the front channels per the manual's suggestion), the sound is rather boxy/congested and has little depth. Via HDMI, the sound just blooms! The imaging is far wider, deeper, and the sound is simply more open sounding. I find this to be very puzzling since the analog section of the 105 is so highly touted. Any suggestions? (Actually, I prefer my Sony 5400 overall, but that's another topic!)
Click to expand...

MUSIC Listening (Stereo & Multichannel Analog Outputs):

1. Stereo CD and SACD: XLR balanced analog stereo output. ...Or RCA unbalanced analog stereo output |
Settings
- SACD Output: PCM
- Down Mix Mode: Stereo

2. Multichannel Hybrid SACD: RCA multichannel analog output |
Settings
- SACD Output: PCM
- Down Mix Mode: 7.1Ch

* John, if there are other settings that you are not sure of, ask me.
And! If you tell me exactly all the connections you are using from your Oppo 105 (analog, digital, stereo, multichannel, audio, video); it would be much easier for me to recommend you the right settings.

<<<>>> If using the multichannel (7.1) RCA analog out for anything; like CD, SACD Hybrid (stereo & multichannel), DVDs (Video & Audio), Blu-rays (Video & Audio) => Go for #2 above.

*** Set your Marantz Audio Mode to: Pure Direct
 
The Oppo BDP-105 is a versatile player, it does EVERYTHING and more.
All the connections you made to it will determine your overall settings; the reason why I asked you to give me the full connection scheme of your personal setup.

* As for ESS Sabre32 Premier DACs or Wolfson Microelectronics DACs or Burr-Brown TI PCM-1795 (32/192) DACs; what's best is what YOU (set of ears) prefer on a personal level. ...Key: Experimentation.
BUT! Using the analog stereo XLR balanced (or RCA unbalanced) output of your Oppo BDP-105 Universal BD player, should give you a high quality sound.
...And also from the multichannel (7.1) RCA analog output (just slightly less in theory, but in practice, good luck).

AND! Using the digital HDMI-2 output of your 105, and going to one of the HDMI inputs in your Marantz pre, should also give you a very pleasant sound; and perhaps even more so because you can use Audyssey MultEQ XT32 with it as well.
{I don't think your Marantz 8801 SSP does any ADC from its multichannel analog input.} ...At the end it's your own set of ears, and like you said you prefer your Sony XA5400ES player. ...Both from its digital and analog outputs!

More to come when more is shared... :)
 
The idea of setting the SACD for lower resolution (PCM rather than DSD) seems counter-intuitive!
 
My ears ring a bit all the time from attending concerts by Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple, etc. without earplugs! :D

I'll try it and see what happens.
 
Bachtoven said:
My ears ring a bit all the time from attending concerts by Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple, etc. without earplugs! :D

I'll try it and see what happens.
Click to expand...

Here ya go, DSD direct stream from the multichannel analog out.
...And try PCM just for fun too, and hear if you can tell a difference John.
Then pick the one that rings best to your own ears. :)

* A question for you John: Does the Marantz 8801 support DSD direct without PCM conversion over HDMI?
Any mention of it in your manual?
 
Sorry, I missed this. Yes, it supports DSD if I don't use the Audyssey software: the latter converts to PCM.
 
Yeah, I don't think any processor can maintain native DSD format--they just don't have the processing power. Someday, maybe.
 
Bachtoven said:
I meant the Audyssey software can't handle DSD.
Click to expand...

Oh I see, with Audyssey you are converting to PCM and are restricted to 48kHz. ...Just not enough power yet in our DSP chips.
Audyssey requires a lot (in particular MultEQ XT32) from a DSP chip, and to be able to handle DSD in its pure native bitstream in top of that would require additional DSP chips of very high computational force to do all the stuff in the way you're thinking of.
So yes, you are abso!utely right.

____________________________

John, here are two interesting links:

1) List of AV Receivers & Pre/Pros with Pure DSD to Analog Processing

2) Denon AVP-A1HDCI Surround Sound Processor and POA-A1HDCI Power Amplifier - Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity

__________________

* And this one just for fun: http://www.analog.com/static/imported-files/tech_docs/katz_gentile_ch5.pdf :)
 
Most rooms sound better with Audyssey's correction, so even if the resolution numbers do not look impressive, the sound improvement is usually worth the "sacrifice."
 
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