HDMI or 7.1 out for best AQ

There is no general answer. What are you connecting it to? What is your speaker setup? How good are your room acoustics?

IMHO, if you have any need for bass/channel management, general DSP and room correction (and almost every does), HDMI is the better choice since it optimizes those options.

If you are using a 2 channel analog system, there's another answer.

Kal

HDMI allows your processor/receiver to do decoding. 7.1 uses the chips in your OPPO. Your mission should you chose to accept it is to listen to both and determine which unit sounds better.

Hi Kal,

Thanks for responding.

My system is a combined 2-ch/HT set-up. The Oppo will be used only in as a player for the HT part of the system. I have a separate 2-ch only CD/SACD player and preamp. I run Herron monoblocks into highly modified Reimer Tetons (only the cabinets and tweeters remain) for L/R, a one of a kind Reimer super CC, and VMPS 626 surrounds. A BC MC amp drive the CC and surrounds. The room is well-treated with GIK panels for a previously present slap echo. Dual subs are used only for the HT.

To be honest, I still am using an older processor, a Proceed AVP-2 that I dearly love for its audio quality. I hope to upgrade to a more modern processor in the near future, but presently have no experience with room correction or advanced bass management.

If you would chime in again that would be great.

Bill