CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

jeffslife · Joined: 17 Apr 2010 Posts: 4190 Location: ohio usa

I now have many options available to connect the audio so the question is what is best and then second best or does it matter. Rca,optical,coaxial,hdmi. I dont hear any difference but I have hearing issues.

CasetheCorvetteman · Joined: 09 Nov 2008 Posts: 6326 Location: Australia

Im not sure, but i think the only way to get 8CH PCM audio is via HDMI unless youve got a 7.1 output on your source device.

jeffslife · Joined: 17 Apr 2010 Posts: 4190 Location: ohio usa

Ok so what is second best ? Is there any differences that someone with average equipment would notice ?

stridsvognen · Guest

It all depends on what you are connecting.. But ill vote optical on a last place.. in most cases..

ecrabb · Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 6:03 pm Post subject:

Jeff, it totally depends on the source.

If we're talking Blu-ray, then HDMI or multi-channel analog (RCA x 6 or 7) will be best. If you use optical or coaxial SPDIF, then you're getting "core" audio, which is essentially a DVD-quality audio stream for backward-compatibiity with older and/or less-capable equipment.

If you're talking about a DVD player or satellite or cable box, then optical or coaxial SPDIF are best, compared to the alternatives, in general.

I say "in general" because which you should use depends on a number of factors, the level of control in your surround processor vs. your source for starters. Generally, and specifically in your case, the control and capability in your surround processor is going to be better than that in a disc player, so if you use HDMI, you'll have already done your setup with regard to speaker size, crossover, bass management, EQ, etc. If you use the multi-channel input, all that stuff will usually need to be setup again in the source.

SC

macgyver655 · Joined: 22 Aug 2007 Posts: 8508

Also remember that some AVR's don't process HDMI audio, it will only pass it through. Just thought i would throw that out there, not that it applies here.

stridsvognen · Guest

And remember HDMI is not a audio quality guarantee.. You very well find older surround pre, that will sound much better with coaxial SPDIF than a new Surround receiver with HDMI.

So test all the options you have..

**kal** · Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2012 12:19 am Post subject:

Yup. It depends.

Sort of like asking "What's the best car?". You're looking for one answer but that doesn't work. It depends.

Try them all with your equipment and tell us!

Kal

jeffslife · Joined: 17 Apr 2010 Posts: 4190 Location: ohio usa

HDMI for the Oppo, optical for DISH NETWORK,Coaxial for the CD, RCA for the OTA tuner.
THANKS !

CasetheCorvetteman · Joined: 09 Nov 2008 Posts: 6326 Location: Australia

Ive never found optical to be as good as coax, i use the analog 7.1 output on my computer which is easily best by far, and my 2 Panasonic Bluray players have only got HDMI or optical, so its no contest there since i just swapped amps in the bed room yesterday to another 3 series Harman/Kardon which takes whatever you throw at it.

The H/K AVR 155 i had there prior would only take audio over HDMI when it felt like it, and basically only the same as it would take over SPDIF anyway.