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Marantz AV7705 AV Receiver: HDMI out to external DAC

I’d like to bypass this receiver’s DAC & preamp and send its digital-audio output to an external DAC via HDMI (a T+A R 2500 R integrated amp). Unfortunately, doing so results in no sound.

I was told by Marantz support that this unit can't output analog & digital signals at the same time.  However, none of the AV7705's analog outputs are connected. 

I realize that I could always send analog FL & FR signals to the T+A, but then I’d lose the LFE channel & couldn’t take advantage of the T+A’s high-end DAC & preamp. The T+A hosts other sources (phono, disc player, etc.), so it’s hardwired to my powered sub.

Marantz support doesn’t know the answer to this question (!) and my manual doesn’t document the receiver’s HDMI output in much detail. Does anybody know if the AV7705’s "Monitor 2" and "Zone 2" HDMI outputs actually transmit digital audio that can be decoded by an external DAC?

 

cundare2

Showing 3 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
16,554 posts
 

I think you didn't understand what I was hoping to do.  There is certainly a "point" in effecting a dramatic improvement in front-channel SQ of a 5.1 system, whether you're talking about Netflix, Blu-ray, or SACD sources. In fact, simply substituting the T+A's power amp for my old $1500 Class D amp has already increased the realism of 5.1 Blu-ray soundtracks & streamed content.  It's just a shame that I won't be able to replace the entire FR/FL/Sub Marantz signal paths.

 

Yes, I understand it and I'm saying it's almost impossible.  Theta Digital makes an output board for the Casablanca processor which has S/PDIF outputs, I think Datasat may also have digital outpus I can't quite remember.AFAIK, those are the only two ways of going from HDMI in to multiple 2-channel discrete S/PDIF outs.  Everything else I know of is a downmix from the multichannel to stereo.

erik_squires
16,554 posts
 

OP:

There is no point in going from the AV processor to your T+A besides convenience of keeping your 2 channel amp.

The only two ways I’ve ever seen of doing what you are asking for is via Theta Digital’s digital output board and via an Oppo mod which replaces the 8 analog output channels with 4 x 2 channel digital S/PDIF instead.

Most TV’s now have S/PDIF outputs, but to deliver it to your amp you’ll need to set it to 2 channel mode, which will disable the surround information.

erik_squires
16,554 posts
 

You are definitely doing this the hard way. Per page 41, use the bypass mode with any of the analog inputs.

In the Marantz, tell it to send your LFE signal to the L and R outputs OR use both of the sub's inputs so it can receive the LFE from the Marantz via one channel and the integrated via the other. This would let you hook up the sub to both the integrated and HT receiver.

Even if you could find something that had digital outputs for just 2 channels of the HT I know of no situation where the digital input also bypasses the volume control.

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