2. digital
  3. 1357189477

Experiences with Blu-ray players

I'm starting to build a home theater and am investigating BD players. I could use some stories of experiences others have had.

I'd like to keep good 2-channel capability, but I do have a few multi-channel SACDs so I'd like to be able to play them as well. My 2-channel gear consists of Theta source, Cary preamp, Threshold amplification and Avalon speakers. Given that, I'm thinking that a BD player with analog audio outs and a multi-channel preamp might be best for my particular priorities. My wife would kill me if I brought home the Ayre, so I'm in the sub-$2k realm. The reading I've been doing brings the following manufacturers to mind as having products I could afford and might like:

Oppo: Seems to be the default player for the past couple of years. I like the 7.1 analog audio output and the universality of the transport. The high, generally positive traffic on the various forums seems a good sign, too. I am concerned about it's 2-channel audio performance, though.

Cambridge: Ditto with the 7.1 analog output. A bit more talk about the sound, but less about the video.

Marantz: The 7007 has only two-channel analog out, but 7006 has 7.1 analog audio out.

Arcam: Reliability problems? I haven't experienced any with my Arcam DVD, but I don't own any other Arcam gear, so my experience is limited.
128x128macdonj

Showing 3 responses by nick_sr

nick_sr
263 posts
 
SACDs are multi layer disks, they often include multiple mixes, generally 5.1 and Stereo and in the case of hybrid SACDs they also include a red-book layer that can be played in a regular CD player. (As Kr4explained so eloquently)

On my Cambridge751 I can select which mix I would like to hear. In my case it is always Stereo LPCM as I do not have processor and listen using only the dedicated stereo outputs. If I select 5.1 the player down mixes to stereo and it sounds inferior.

Unlike DSRemer I do not sell Cambridge or anything for that matter, but I recommend 751bd. It is an extraordinary value.

I hopes this helps.
nick_sr
263 posts
 
Gammajo, the SACD signal is in PCM, unless you specifically select the 5.1 track. There should be no downmixing per se. At least that is my understanding.
nick_sr
263 posts
 
This seemed at first to be a very straight forward topic, but it turns out to be more complex than I thought.

My player, Cambridge 751bd, when playing a SACD, sends a PCM signal to my tv via the HDMI, unless I select the multi channel track. However, what I hear is the DSD signal decoded by the player's internal DAC and fed to my pre-amp via the dedicated stereo analog outputs.

So I support Dougmc's statement regarding stereo, however (I am not sure about this) but I believe that my player will decode the multi channel SACD track and send the signal to multi channel analog outputs. The unit has 5 Wolfsen DACs in it.
More to discover