DTS-HD Master Audio

Bob, excellent information about how to use a blu-ray player since I have never own one. You mention about pressing the Audio magic button on the remote, are you talking about the remote of the blu-ray player or the receiver remote?

Bob, never mind. I figured it out. The Audio button you are talking about is the remote from the blu-ray player and NOT the receiver.

I have the Onkyo 905 receiver and the Sony BDP-S5000 (their top line unit). Most Blu Ray DVDs do NOT have the DTS-HD Master Audio (especially the older ones, and even most of the new ones--I do not know why, but suspect its a cost issue). The 905 "does it all," and very well, I might add.

I just spent 12 hours comparing a newly purchased Halcro SSP-200 preamp with my Onkyo 905 with same components, cabels, etc. The Onkyo wins--period! The Halcro does not decode DTS-HD Master Audio, but the Sony does using the analog bypass through the Halcro---Onkyo Wins!

This may start a new thread---but, how can a $12,000 preamp rated in the top 5 consistently, be bested by a $1,400 integrated? Bass / highs / staging / separation / clarity

My system consists of---B&W 800n's fronts / 802n's sides / HTM3s center / M&K 150s rears / Furman Ref 15 / 2 Lexicon 501 Monos / Sunfire 7 CH 200 WPC amp / Transparent Ultra cabeling / Velodyne DD-18 Sub

Djones

how can a $12,000 preamp rated in the top 5 consistently, be bested by a $1,400 integrated? Bass / highs / staging / separation / clarity

Would you care to give some more info?
IIUC the set-up was: Sony BD-> Halcro->Onkyo --> spkrs vs. Sony BD -> Onkyo -> spkrs?