Analogue or digital output for music on Cambridge audio 650bd??

[atkins4725]

Hi fellas, I'm currently using my Cambridge Audio 650bd to play my cd's. My question bein, which connection should result for better audio, the analogue outputs or the digital output???

Thanks in advance......

 

[John Duncan]

With your particular receiver, I would suspect the analogue outs by a whisker. However, it's easy enough to try them to compare...

 

[Andrew Everard]

For standard CDs, I'd agree with JD on the analogue outs, though it'll be a close-run thing. For SACDs, if you have any, stick with HDMI.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

atkins4725:
Hi fellas, I'm currently using my Cambridge Audio 650bd to play my cd's. My question bein, which connection should result for better audio, the analogue outputs or the digital output???

Thanks in advance......

What about coaxial to your DacMagic?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Oh, and if you're going to try analogue connection from player to receiver, connect to the front left and right input sockets on the Sony's multichannel analogue inputs, and then select Multi In, rather than using the CD inputs. IIRC the multichannel inputs have a more direct path through the receiver than the standard stereo inputs.

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry Aitkins, but that last post by Andrew E caught me by surprise...Is that the case with all AV amps with multi-channel inputs then ?? Must give that a go as I use my DVD player for CD's also with phono connections to the CD input and digital connection for DVD's through my CA Azur 640 amp. You think the multi -input is a more direct path even if I have the option of an Analogue Stereo Direct switch ?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Well no, not if there's an analogue direct stereo switch, but on many receivers the standard analogue inputs actually get ADC'd, fed through the signal processing and then spat out through the DACs before they get to the power amps, whereas multichannel analogue inputs tend to go through the volume control and straight to the power stages, or at least take a rather less circuitous route.

 

[atkins4725]

Thanks Andrew, this never even crossed my mind, just tryin it now. I've had it running through the SACD input and on analogue direct.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Well, it's definitely worth a try, even though the analogue direct input is designed to do 'what it says on the tin'.

 

[Anonymous]

That's interesting...and as a potential future owner of the BD650 I would love to know what you think of it and how it performs for you both with bluray and Cd's in your set-up Atkins? I would love to get one to partner my CA amp and in your opinion do you think they would be well matched ?

Thanks and hope you don't mind me asking...

 

[atkins4725]

I'm not the best person to ask regarding pairing, I'm still relatively new to hifi/home cinema. As far as the BD650 is concerned, I don't have a bad thing to say about it, blue ray looks awesome and as for cd's, I don't think i'll be buyin a seperate cd player anytime soon. Oh......and loading time is very very quick, so no waiting about.

Like yourself, I will be pairing it with a CA amp at some point, I just can't make up my mind up whether to go for the matching 650 or step up to the 740!!!

I will say this though, connecting it up to the multi channel inputs on my reciever has made a world of difference.

 

[Anonymous]

Thank for that Atkins, you have confirmed all that I've heard and read elsewhere so thanks a million for that. I want to save on buying a seperate CD player also so it seems the obvious way to go alright. I am glad I got the 640R at a good price before the replacement 650R came out tho as it seems to be a backward step, so for you the 740 might be worth saving for...or do like me and save a fortune on a second hand 640R ?!?

Good luck anyway and thanks again...