Apple TV connections

[ommadawn]

What is the best method of connecting the ATV to my amp?

Optical or analog? Where does the D/A conversion take place?

If the ATV has D/A conversion will it be better than my Sony amp?

Thanks.

 

[John Duncan]

The ATV does have a DAC, so you can play it through the analogue connections on the back. However, the Sony's D-to-A conversion will almost certainly sound better, so I'd suggest you try the optical out from the ATV to a spare optical in on the Sony.

I don't know (because haven't tried) whether the HDMI output of the ATV carries audio - if it does, then you can use that if your Sony has HDMI capabability. Will check for you.

EDIT - it does, so you have two options - optical or HDMI.

 

[ommadawn]

Thanks for the speedy reply John. My amp predates HDMI so I will get myself an optical cable.

VERY impressed with ATV although only had it connected for an hour.

 

[John Duncan]

Yes it's a lovely thing - specially with the v3.0 software update (which presumably you have already if you bought new) - is lightning fast and just as gorgeous as the old version. Slap some apple lossless files on there and you have a top-notch music server...

 

[Anonymous]

And there's ATV Flash to consider, too. It's not flawless, but overall I'm a fan. Seem to recall you use it too, JD?

 

[John Duncan]

I bought and installed it but it didn't do some of the things I really wanted it to do - or didn't do so as seamlessly as I'd like - so it kind of fell by the wayside. I'd be more inclined to search out individual free hacks (like enabling external storage for example) than buy the $50 ATVFlash bundle. Later versions may have been more friendly of course.