CD outputs and HDCD


Hello,

Question(s): In a CD player, such as the NAD C542, with analog and digital outputs, which is preferrable? Also, with HDCD capability, does this function work with either analog or digital out?

My initial thought is that if the CD player is a very good one, the D/A internally (using the analog out) may provide better sound than using the digital out and letting the amp/receiver do the D/A. However, I'm not sure if the HDCD precludes using one output or the other.

TIA,
CD
cdelplato

Showing 3 responses by kr4

At the time that HDCD came out, the PM oversampling filter used for it was superior to the other filters on the market. That was in the past.
6dB vs. 8dB dynamic range? Check your sources since either one would suck. One problem was the mandatory default lowering of the gain by 6dB for regular CDs. Many fixes were offered.
I sincerely doubt it but, if you can offer some documentation, I would like to see it. BTW, the BB 24/96 may be "capable" of a wider dynamic range but there are only the same number of bits from CD for all the DACs.