Audio out to RCA input on new Sony TV's?

As I understand it, you need to get the analog audio TV output into your preamp with the best quality audio possible.

As was stated by Rbrowne above, I also take the RCA output from my cable box to my Ayre integrated amplifier. I use an HDMI cable from my cable box to my TV for video.

My Wave Broadband/TiVO cable box has a setting used to output the audio to the RCA jacks and NOT the HDMI cable. This means the HDMI cable carries the video to the TV and the cable box outputs the audio to my amplifier (in your case, a pre-amp).

What cable box are you using? Does it have RCA output jacks? If yes, I suggest you take the audio output from your cable box direct to your pre-ampliifier. Please check the audio output setting on your cable box to enable the capability. Does this solve the problem?

Another problem I had was that my Sony BDP-S6500 Blu-Ray player (new model priced at $129 at Best Buy) does NOT have RCA output jacks. Unfortunately, the newer blu-ray players do NOT have RCA jacks.

In my case, I used the HDMI cable to my TV (Video & audio) and ran RCA jacks (audio only) from my TV to my Ayre integrated amplifier. Unfortunately, in your case, your TV does not have RCA jacks. Do you have a blu-ray player? If, yes, what output jacks does it have? If your blu-ray player has RCA jacks, the audio problem is solved. You connect the blu-ray player audio RCA output signal to your pre-amplifier.

For example, the Music Hall DAC15.2 (Amazon price is $249) is a three input solid-state DAC that has 3 digital inputs (usb, optical, coaxial). Hopefully, your blu-ray player has outputs that match the Music Hall DAC. I know you said you preferred not to buy a DAC. I believe the only way to take the audio output from a blu-ray player (without RCA jacks) is to convert the digital signal to analog using a DAC.

See this link for the Music Hall DAC (If the link does not work, copy it your your browser):

http://musichallaudio.com/dac15-2/

There are many DAC’s on the market that could be used for this. I selected the Music Hall DAC15.2 because its price is reasonable (under $300) and it supports usb, optical, coaxial connections. What do you think?

If the ARC SP-9 MK III can take digital via coax from a cable or satellite box, that's a good alternative to HDMI for audio. If OP is relying on the TV for analog source, I suspect "good sound quality" is unlikely.

db

Hgeifman writes, "In my case, I used the HDMI cable to my TV (Video & audio) and ran RCA jacks (audio only) from my TV to my Ayre integrated amplifier."

Why would you do that? Doesn't the Ayre have HDMI or coax input? Do you really want TV quality sound from a Blu-ray player?

db

Dbphd: I totally agree. The problem is the Ayre AX-7e integrated amplifier ONLY has balanced (XLR) and RCA input jacks. Unfortunately, the Ayre amplifier does not have HDMI or coaxial inputs.

While I prefer to get high quality sound from my blu-ray player, the Ayre AX-7e does not provide that option. The only solution, I guess, is to sell the Ayre and replace it with another unit that has HDMI or coaxial inputs. I really like my Ayre AX-7e and prefer to keep it. Any suggestions?