Video Asylum

Posted by Homer (A) on March 13, 2002 at 20:19:57

In Reply to: Which DAC am I using? posted by tourist on March 13, 2002 at 17:46:57:

The answer to this is complicated by the fact that many receivers digitize all analog inputs, and convert them back to analog, at the outputs. Therefore, your best bet is to use a digital connection, so that you know that there's only one conversion. This means using the optical cable, or a single RCA cable (probably labeled "digital" or "S/P-Diff", etc.). You should use a 75 ohm cable, for this. They're sometimes sold as digital audio cables, but a composite video cable will work just as well. While using a non-75 ohm cable may seem to work, it could cause problems with the signal that could result in errors or the amp to loose its lock.

The other advantage to using the Sony's digital output is that your signal won't be subjected to noise or distortion between the two devices or while it's being switched, inside the receiver.

Finally, always using the receiver's DACs, when possible, allows you to buy sources (i.e. DVD players, digital cable boxes, digital satellite, game consoles, etc.) without Dolby Digital or DTS decoders, nor do you have to worry about the quality of their DACs.