Digital or Line Out?

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I bought a "new" secondhand CD player last week. It is going to replace my DVD player until I have more room. The DVD player was connected to my amp through a (good) Digital Coax cable, so I've connected the cdp in the same fashion. However, usually a CD player is connected to an amp through the Line Out. Now I want to know: is it going to make a difference in sound when I connect my CD player through the Line Out, instead of the Digital Output? In other words: is it worth investing in Line Out cables?

 

[Andrew Everard]

What's the player, and what's the amp?

 

[Anonymous]

Hey Andrew,

The player is a Cambridge Audio Azur 640C v1.
The amp is a Yamaha RX-V650.
I'm currently using a Monster Digital Coax cable (don't know type).

 

[Andrew Everard]

I should think the digital to analogue converters in the player are better than those in the receiver, so I'd use a stereo analogue interconnect from the player into the Front Left/Right sockets of the receiver's multichannel input, as this provides the most direct signal path through the amplification. Choose 'Multi Ch In' to listen to CD.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Andrew Everard"]
I should think the digital to analogue converters in the player are better than those in the receiver, so I'd use a stereo analogue interconnect from the player into the Front Left/Right sockets of the receiver's multichannel input, as this provides the most direct signal path through the amplification. Choose 'Multi Ch In' to listen to CD.

[/quote]
Can't agree with Andrew more here - I have both the optical and line connections hooked up between my 740C and denon amp and its bizarre how much better the cd player sounds (line). If I switch from analogue to digital on the amp id track, the mid range goes out the window, soundstage pretty much collapses and I switch back real quick.
I'll be pulling the plug on the optical line next time I'm back there - I just left it hooked up as it was the only way i could connect the old CD changer the 740C replaced and I was curious to hear how my amps DAC's went up against the 740C's - not good ; )
Just another thing I picked up on there Andrew - my analogue connections' going to the CD socket right now - you reckon I shuold switch to the multi-ch input on the 4306? or was the advice specific to Pim's amp?

 

[Anonymous]

Damien I was running an optical to my Denon amp and changed it for a digital coaxial and you cannot believe the difference it made. I'd try this first. If you want some unbelievable hand made analogue cables at a knock down price then take a look at Mark Grant's offerings here: http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126078&page=44 - I'm sure he can send them to you down-under in the mail. Never had better service or faster service for that matter! He has just hand made 3 Y phono connectors for bi-amping duties.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Will Harris"]Damien I was running an optical to my Denon amp and changed it for a digital coaxial and you cannot believe the difference it made. I'd try this first. If you want some unbelievable hand made analogue cables at a knock down price then take a look at Mark Grant's offerings here: http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=126078&page=44 - I'm sure he can send them to you down-under in the mail. Never had better service or faster service for that matter! He has just hand made 3 Y phono connectors for bi-amping duties.[/quote]
Hi WIll, I've actually got analogue interconnects that I'm over the moon with - Van Den Hul 'The Thunderline". I was actually more curious here on Andrew's advice at running the stereo cd connection through the multi-channel input, but thanks anyway.

 

[Andrew Everard]

[quote user="Damien Buckley"]
I was actually more curious here on Andrew's advice at running the stereo cd connection through the multi-channel input, but thanks anyway.[/quote]

The multichannel inputs often have a more direct path through the amplifier than the standard line-ins.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Andrew Everard"][quote user="Damien Buckley"]
I was actually more curious here on Andrew's advice at running the stereo cd connection through the multi-channel input, but thanks anyway.[/quote]

The multichannel inputs often have a more direct path through the amplifier than the standard line-ins.
[/quote]
Cheers Andrew