2. cables
  3. 156978-143085

Should I use RCA cables or Digital cables for interconnects

I am getting a Marantz SA-KI arriving soon and I was wondering what would be the best way to connect the Ruby to the AV8805 preamp. I have a pair of purist audio RCA cables, An Audioquest carbon Optilink and an Audioquest forest Coax. I was told on my oppo 105d I could bypass the oppo DAC using digital and use the DAC in the preamp. I am not sure why but not using the RCA for the interconnect seemed more pleasing so I switched. My questions are 1) Does using digital bypass the DAC? 2) Which would be the preferable route with the Ruby?
Thank you,
santsuru
djones51
4,947 posts
 
Using digital out bypasses the DAC. If you use digital out on the Ruby and use the DAC on the 8805 it won't play the SACD layer on the CD, you would need to use the RCA analog output for SACD.
santsuru OP
11 posts
 
Thank you! I am new at this and I appreciate your answer.
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
Be aware that if you use any sort of DSP or subwoofer crossover setttings in the AV8805, the AV8805 will automatically convert any analog inputs to digital to process the DSP/Audessey/crossover and then re-route it to the internal AV8805 DAC anyways.  I'm not sure if there is a way to configure the AV8805 to completely bypass any internal DSP or DAC. 

You would want a complete analog passthrough (maybe PureDirect, but even PureDirect will use the subwoofer crossover).  The SA-KI is such an expensive and nice unit, it's almost a mismatch pairing with the AV8805. 
More to discover