I think it really depends on the quality of your equipment. Currently only mid-fi companys have come out with the latest audio formats with the really high end companys still waiting in the wings, so I guess it would depend on your definition of quality.
I myself fall into the mid-fi group and am considering jumping into the foray with a unit from Integra. Everything I have read seams to indicate that the quality of sound for sacd and dvd-a really benefits from the new room EQ's that most new receivers come with. HDMI not only reduces the amount of cables but also reduces at least one d/a conversion for those of us who use bass management and/or EQ.
FWIW, dvd-a and sacd can be passed through hdmi depending on the player and proccessor. I think Arcam is missing the boat as more higher end units start using hdmi. As`Rwwear states, it is the only way to pass uncompressed pcm, Dolby Digital HD and DTS HD Master wich all can be superior to CD.
I myself fall into the mid-fi group and am considering jumping into the foray with a unit from Integra. Everything I have read seams to indicate that the quality of sound for sacd and dvd-a really benefits from the new room EQ's that most new receivers come with. HDMI not only reduces the amount of cables but also reduces at least one d/a conversion for those of us who use bass management and/or EQ.
FWIW, dvd-a and sacd can be passed through hdmi depending on the player and proccessor. I think Arcam is missing the boat as more higher end units start using hdmi. As`Rwwear states, it is the only way to pass uncompressed pcm, Dolby Digital HD and DTS HD Master wich all can be superior to CD.