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Are A/V receivers digital?

Do A/V receivers convert analog input signals to digital, process them, and reconvert to analog? Can any A/V receiver keep the signal analog?

I ask this because if receivers always convert to digital, as I suspect, all A/V receivers would harm analog signals from SACD and DVD-Audio players. If the receivers can't handle 96/24, they would harm the signal from 96/24 DAD discs as well. Hopefully the receivers with 5.1 inputs keep the signal analog through this input.
tmartinjr9589

Showing 1 response by sdcampbell

sdcampbell
2,136 posts
 
Most A/V receivers and pre/pros convert analog signals to digital for processing, then convert back to analog. Depending on the brand, some have separate circuits that are straight analog (one example is Bryston's SP-1, which has both DSP and pure analog circuits). For vinyl lovers, lack of a pure analog circuit presents a dilemma, since the intent is keep the analog signal "pure". On the other hand, I have a large LP collection, good TT, etc., and my pre/pro
converts all signals to digital for processing. If the analog signal from my LP's is being degraded by the D-A-D conversion process, it is not enough that I find it objectionable.
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