CD optical output

Posted by Jay [IP: 198.6.251.6] on March 24, 1999 at 13:35:56
Using Mozilla/4.5 [en] (WinNT; I):

In Reply to: CD optical output posted by CDL on March 24, 1999 at 05:32:48:

: : Hi, I'll be purchasing a jukebox-style cd changer soon to hook up to a Kenwood DD receiver, via an optical digital connection. What I want to know is if having the Toslink connection from the changer will automatically give me the benefit of DTS 5.1 CDs or not (or does the changer have to list itself as 'DTS compatible'?). Also, does everyone out there think a cd player's sound is dramatically improved by using the optical output vs. the composite, or only moderately? I ask because one model I'm considering is a well-priced Kenwood 200 changer that has no digital outs. Thanks!!

Sorry, not familiar with the Kenwoods, but it is a CD player, not a DVD player right? You can't play DVDs in a CD-player because the spacing is more dense in a DVD vrs a audio (redbook) CD.
So I don't think you're going to be able to process DTS/DD from a CD player. DTS, I believe is still associated with DVD's not CD's I think, although there is a new Digital Audio Disk (DAD) being talked up now that can be 5.1.

About your toslink, I'd say get a CD player with a digital out, toslink (optical) or coax because it allows you to upgrade later to a better DAC. Also if HDCD ever becomes popular, you can get a HDCD DAC and support that standard. Without an optical out, you're forced to use the CD changer's on-board D/A converters.

About the sound quality, there can be a vast difference since the PCM data coming out of the digital outputs is digital data, while the "composite" outputs you describe is analog data, i.e. it's already been converted to analog by the DAC in the CD changer so it really depends on the outboard DAC you are using with the digital outs. Between the digital coax or the toslink, it's probably negliable however for toslink, the digital data has to be converted by the sender which is just slightly more processing. However, for longer runs, the toslink is better, under 2m, coax is fine, cheaper and easier to maintain.

Jay

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