I have heard from a couple of smaller "high-end" companies that encumbering support for HDMI has caused them to exit the A/V or processor business or to not enter it.Not debating but I just can't see the cause-effect you're proposing.
I have heard from a couple of smaller "high-end" companies that encumbering support for HDMI has caused them to exit the A/V or processor business or to not enter it.Not debating but I just can't see the cause-effect you're proposing.
There was a time when Emotiva seemed to work hard at offering good value for the money stuff. That has appeared headed down hill over the last few years.My review of Emotiva indicates, look elsewhere for midrange AV processors.
Made me look.
So, I read about two "high-end" AV Processors...….
Neither says it does anything to the video except switch it.
So, I read about two "high-end" AV Processors.
...............................................Neither says it does anything to the video except switch it.
OTOH, all of them extract audio from the HDMI for most of their sources. (Brief statement rushed out to beat Don to the punch.)As a rule, folks @ the high end who use Datasat/Theta/Trinnov/Storm etc products are building 16-32 channel home theaters, often costing well into six figures, don't care about video handling in the processor.
Made me look.
So, I read about two "high-end" AV Processors.
I suppose they have all sorts of sound modes, certainly enough licenses attached.
Neither says it does anything to the video except switch it.
There is other gear out there, a midrange of NAD, Anthem, Emotiva, etc. And a high end like Acurus, StormAudio, Trinnov.
We just lack anyone to do honest reviews.
Drudging up an old post: Recently, I have observed that the use of a high quality (multichannel) DAC feeding the undigitized analog input of the AV8805 sounds clearly superior to running the digital source files to the Marantz via HDMI.You could, but it isn't clear whether that would be worth it since the performance of the unit as an analog preamp was not measured. I think it is unlikely that the "limitations" in the unit tested were all at the DAC level. If they were largely at the preamp level, that would make an external DAC redundant.
That's strange considering the first indicates a double DA conversion including the DA in the Marantz, while the second option is only with DA conversion of the Marantz.Drudging up an old post: Recently, I have observed that the use of a high quality (multichannel) DAC feeding the undigitized analog input of the AV8805 sounds clearly superior to running the digital source files to the Marantz via HDMI.
I gotta ask.Drudging up an old post: Recently, I have observed that the use of a high quality (multichannel) DAC feeding the undigitized analog input of the AV8805 sounds clearly superior to running the digital source files to the Marantz via HDMI.
I have observed the same ; stereo DAC (with AK chip) , different Marantz model (with an AK chip as well)Drudging up an old post: Recently, I have observed that the use of a high quality (multichannel) DAC feeding the undigitized analog input of the AV8805 sounds clearly superior to running the digital source files to the Marantz via HDMI.
No. The multichannel analog inputs of the Marantz are not digitized so we are comparing two different connection configurations that also differ in which of the two devices does the single D/A conversion.That's strange considering the first indicates a double DA conversion including the DA in the Marantz, while the second option is only with DA conversion of the Marantz.
Thanks for the smiley but I acknowledge that I do not and cannot perform DBT. The reason I bring this up is to suggest that measurements of the analog-only signal path would be relevant.I gotta ask.
Could you explain the conditions and data results of your DBT please.
It's extremely difficult to accurately deduce the signal path going on inside these complicated devices with confidence. I only question that the two DAC's would sound so clearly different in and of themselve. If the observation is accurate, there must be something else at play here.Thanks for the smiley but I acknowledge that I do not and cannot perform DBT. The reason I bring this up is to suggest that measurements of the analog-only signal path would be relevant.
I don't know, but I'll ask are you sure that is how it works? A few years back was working on a Denon for someone, and there was no analog straight thru. All analog inputs were sent thru an ADC and then output from the DACs. That particular Denon has a power supply issue on the ADC which made it noisy. Adding a big capacitor and shielding fixed it. Denon and Marantz are made by the same company, but not necessarily identical of course.No. The multichannel analog inputs of the Marantz are not digitized so we are comparing two different connection configurations that also differ in which of the two devices does the single D/A conversion.
The two paths also differ in that one is via USB to the external DACs and the other is HDMI directly to the Marantz.It's extremely difficult to accurately deduce the signal path going on inside these complicated devices with confidence. I only question that the two DAC's would sound so clearly different in and of themselve. If the observation is accurate, there must be something else at play here.
That used to be common in the past but, more recently, D&M have either removed the 7.1 analog inputs entirely or, if they are retained, remain analog. I have made several inquiries to D&M since the AV8801 and they have been consistent in confirming this.I don't know, but I'll ask are you sure that is how it works? A few years back was working on a Denon for someone, and there was no analog straight thru. All analog inputs were sent thru an ADC and then output from the DACs. That particular Denon has a power supply issue on the ADC which made it noisy. Adding a big capacitor and shielding fixed it. Denon and Marantz are made by the same company, but not necessarily identical of course.
Yup.Doing measures of the analog inputs/outputs would of course be a good idea.
I don't know, but I'll ask are you sure that is how it works?
Yep.Doing measures of the analog inputs/outputs would of course be a good idea.
Also.........................................
Analog
S/N: 105 dB (IHF–A weighted, Direct mode)
Distortion: 0.005 % (20 Hz – 20 kHz) (Direct mode)
Digital
S/N ratio — 102 dB
Total harmonic distortion — 0.008 % (1 kHz, at 0 dB)
What?Something isn't adding up?