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How can you utilize EQ/DSP Room Correction w/ SACD

Today's AV receivers and Processors are, more than ever, including better Parametric EQ and DSP room corrective circuitry. I pressume most all of these (obviously, the later) function in the digital domaine. My question is, what is, or are, the best ways to handle SACD material from an outboar player, and still take advantage of the benefits of the EQ/DSP correction built into the processors, for maximum acoustical correction and sonic benefits, for balanced sound in your system.
At the moment, my first thought is that you most always will have to bypass the EQ and Room correction, because you will likely have to use the 5.1/7.1 multi-channel, analog inputs when using an SACD capable player.
I am intereted in all options for using these onboard EQ's, whether processing from the analog or digital domain and/or inputs. Obviously, the most pure path possible would be ideal. Still, short of using an outboard EQ, I want to know all options with what's built in onboard.
Am I missing something? Do some players offer the ability to pass SACD in the digital domain to the receiver/processor, say via HDMI or some other digital connection?
I seem to remember Denon-Link possibly offering this connection between complementing Denon products. In a case such as this, would you be able to take advantage of something like Audyssey room DSP for SACD 2 channel of multi-channel source material?
I hope i'm making my points and questions here clear. I basically want to know the best ways to cconnect up for SACD playback, while taking full advantage of the better EQ circuits available on today's receivers and AV-pre's on the market.
Any pertinent responses appreciated.
queefee

Showing 8 responses by queefee

queefee OP
107 posts
 
"(via a PCM conversion) permit DSP/RoomEQ. And, yes, you can use Audyssey (or ARC or Trinnov or MCACC.....) for two channel as well as multichannel. (To do this with analog signals, superimposes additional A/D/A conversions but is doable, if one insists.)" Kr4

Thank you kr4 for your response. Without the time, however, to go through your entire postings, I'm pressuming from your response above here that there has to be a "down-covnversion" or some sort of compression of the original SACD source material (transmitted via HDMI/Coax digital) to a lesser rez output, when processing these EQ circuits? And in the case of analog connections, as you said, a digital to analog to digital to analog conversion chain?
I do know that, if I'm going to be playing SACD's (or other hi rez digital or analog soucres, I'd like to keep the original signal as pure and uncompromised as possible, lack of compression, conversion, etc. So, is there only compromise available foing doing what I'm trying to do? - and thus can only run pure dirrect, without EQ for my SACD to get the purity here? Or am I mis understanding something here?
queefee OP
107 posts
 
You did kr4. I'm simply talking to myself now.
queefee OP
107 posts
 
Kr4, again, thank you for your response.
Actually, I don't know if I'm prejudging anything. I'm first trying to gauge the be best approach to wiring up a HT/multi-ch music system in a smallish room, that will most definitely need to take full advanteage of Room DSP/EQ. That said, I'd like to use SACD in that system/room and, of couse, would like the best sound quality possible - and fully assuming that utilizing the EQ will be very beneficial. Basically, I'm just trying to weigh all the equipment choices, hook-up options, and potential compromises I might be forced to deal with, if any. Ya know, get a game plan, and a little "pre-education" refresher.
I will, most certainly be testing things out with what I end up with, to see what does what sonically. (yes, no substitute for hands-on experience) But again, a little forseight will help.
So, what you're suggesting is an HDMI connection between sacd source component to my receiver/pre choice, which will convert to PCM to be played/processed on the processor/amp end? Also, are there any AV pre's or receivers that process SACD internally (thus passing pure SACD signalfrom the source - unconverted - to the processor for processing) for me to simply pass the SACD signal through to be processed down the line for possible superior sound quality? Or are you insistent that there's no real degredation in sound when converting to PCM via HDMI?
Thank you.
queefee OP
107 posts
 
BTW, if you feel any of this discourse dragging on, how about the option of pointing me to your specific threads where you cover anything pertinent to this thread,kr4? I don't have time to read through them all, unfortunately.
Thanks in advance, again.
queefee OP
107 posts
 
All 40 articles, ey? Um, can't narrow it down, no?
queefee OP
107 posts
 
I think a call to Audyssey would be easier to answer all this. Dunno what I was thinking - lol.
queefee OP
107 posts
 
I guess I researched my own answer. Apparently the DSD single bit enconding that SACD uses needs to be changed into a multi-bit PCM format for the DSP functions, such as EQ, Bass management, sound modes, etc, to process. So, whether it be an analog signal - which would have to go through an A to D to A conversion - or digital signal - that, at some point along the chain, needs to do a PCM conversion - some trade-offs will be on the table with SACD and modern day pre's and receivers, to take full advantage of DSP processing.
Of course, a Rives PARC in the analog domain is an option. But not a reasonably cost efficient option here for most mid-fi/entry hi-fi ambitious systems.
queefee OP
107 posts
 
HOWEVER! Am I to understand that there are some potential issues that might need to be adressed by using HDMI to tranport SACD/ converted PCM material? I think I read that there are some "jitter" issues in separating the signal and recontructing it, whatever? Is it better to use someother digital connection, like Coax, or can you even use coax, for connecting and playing SACD to my reciever/pre?
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