Anyone using the analog inputs from the processor?

Don't fear the analog connection! Done properly it does sound excellent. I continue to use a "dolby digital ready" receiver (Sony GA7-ES) in my system so I have never used a digital connection from my DVD player (Sony DVP-C600D) for DD. I cannot directly compare the sound of the analog connection to the digital connection but I can tell you that it sounds very dynamic and transparent in my system. When I select the 5.1 mode on the receiver, it routes the audio directly though the volume pot to the amplifier stage, very much like a high-quality 2ch integrated amp would do on stereo only it's getting a 5.1 signal.

The big argument against decoding 5.1 surround in the player early on was because of limited bass-management on the earliest DVD players. The Sony C600D addressed that issue and was the first player where the decoding was on par with the receivers of that era (late '90's). The clean decoding for DD (96/24 DACS) coupled with complete bass-management and a high-quality analog output stage earned the player excellent review in Home Theater magazine and has never caused me to want to upgrade. I invested in a good power amp instead (Arcam Alpha 10P X 3 channel) and my system rocks on movies.

If I do decide to go BluRay I will probably buy the Sony 2000-ES for similar reasons - quality analog stage and decoding- and it would drop right into my system without replacing the receiver and amp. I route all video directly to the projector anyway so I can live without HDMI in the receiver. I'm waiting to see if the next version of the model Sony 2000 player will decode DTS-MA like the new Sony 550 player. That would be a nice upgrade indeed. Now, if they would also include multi-channel SACD/DVD-A capability as a bonus, that would be sweet! Are you listening, Sony? -jz

For a little more $, you can add a 'universal' (not BluRay) player that will send SACD/DVD-A via HDMI. Pioneer has 2 of them and so does Oppo.

Kal

"Yes I prefer analog outs from the dvd player to an analog multi-channel preamp, then to a multi channel amp, instead of a avr processor/amp.
Think the idea is if you have a good dvd player you can use it's dac processor straight to a dedicated amp or amps."
(Mumbles)

"Don't fear the analog connection! Done properly it does sound excellent. I continue to use a "dolby digital ready" receiver (Sony GA7-ES) in my system so I have never used a digital connection from my DVD player (Sony DVP-C600D) for DD." (John Z)

Now I'm certainly not bashing anyone's opinion. And cerainly I don't know of every connection and setup out there. But I've yet to hear ANY DD/DTS setup where processing in the DVD player and passing it "analog out" to a preamp or amp HAS EVER SOUNDED BETTER THAN DIRECT DIGITAL PROCESSING IN AN OUTBOARD PRE!!! (let me quantify: the sound is basically flatter, more two dimmensional, and less dynamic sounding, from my experience - at least for DD/DTS)
I've certainly plaid with lots of av gear over the last couple decades, including lots of retail and custom experience.
Yes, I've tried using expensive DVD players to process DD/DTS, and sending to integrateds, 2 channel pre's, receivers and pre/pro's - EVEN DIRRECT TO AMPS - and it just never sounds right to me. At least that's my experience anyway. Others experiences might differ.
At the very least, I can't immagine any of these "analog out" Dd/DTS setups winning any dynamics awards!

Well, maybe things are changing. But I doubt it, in this case.
Infact, I challenge anyone who has a HD/Blue Ray player and a 1.3a capable HDMI pre or receiver to "AB" both connection methods, and get back to us!!! I for one would like to hear more people pipe in here, and give their feedback on this p-point. Cause things could have changed over the last few here. Dunno.

You tell 'em, Flrnlamb!! I believe that, in almost all cases, the preference for analog is based on archaic philosophy.

Kal

I never said the analog connection sounded better than a digital connection, but I stand by my opinion that it is certainly an acceptable alternative. In my situation, I chose to invest in a receiver years ago prior to DD/DTS becoming defacto in receivers, so my priority at the time was good quality 2-channel, Pro-Logic processing, and a analog 5.1 input to ensure compatablity with future formats. And guess what? Nearly ten years later it's still at the heart of my A/V system and performing just fine.

Uncompressed PCM at 24/96 sounds terrific through an analog connection in my system and I have a hunch that the uncompressed Dolby Tru-HD and DTS-MA will sound awesome too. Maybe a hair or two less dynamic than digital HDMI, but still very enjoyable nontheless. Splitting hairs at most between the two.

As an aside, if an analog connection is so limited dynamically, explain why the two most dynamic music formats, SACD and DVD-A, are only available via analog connections? You'd think that the industry would have passed on that option if it were so inferior for their new flagship high-res format? -jz