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Digital vs Analog output on CD players

Folks, I'm sure this has been discussed before but I can not find the thread. I'm in the throws of experimenting with connecting my two CD players (yes I use two for the fun of the hobby and switch around; some CD's sound better on the NAD and others on the Rotel) via their digital ouputs to the digital inputs on my A-V receiver vs their analog jacks. What's the official scoop on this? Does using the digital outputs improve the overall soundstage, depth, detail, etc of the music being played? Are there any other benefits going digital vs analog? My hi-fi store sold me a digital interconnect and is letting me try it out. I can always go back to analog. I have the my NAD C541 connected via its digital output and my Rotel RCD-1072 via its analog outputs. So far, I am finding the differences to be subtle. What does everyone think on this? Many thanks. Sorry if I sound naive on this topic.
pdn
reubent
7,090 posts
 
Pdn,

When you connect via a digital cable, the digital to analog conversion is performed in the receiver. When connected via analog interconnects, the digital to analog conversion is performed in the CD player. Really it is going to come down to a matter of preference.

If you really want to "hear the difference" connect either CD player using both the analog and digital cable and then just switch the chosen input on the receiver to determine if you prefer the analog or digital option.

Enjoy,

TIC
narrod
1,064 posts
 
It depends upon the quality of the DAC in your receiver. It may or may not be better than the analog output of your CD players.
sfar's avatar
sfar
1,771 posts
 
There are two primary parts inside each of your CD players, a transport that picks up the digital signal and then a digital-to-analog converter.

When you use the digital output on either the NAD or the Rotel you're picking up the signal after it leaves the transport but before it gets to the digital-to-analog converter in those players and sending it instead to a digital-to-analog converter in your A-V receiver.

So, with your three pieces of gear you've got two choices of transports and three choices of digital-to-analog converters. If the two transports are of equal quality and none of the three digital-to-analog converters are noticeably better than the other two you're not going to hear a big difference.

The advantage of using the digital output is primarily if you're going to send the digital signal to a separate D/A converter that is audibly superior to the one that's inside the CD player.
pdn OP
438 posts
 
Thanks very much. Appreciate the education on this. It's always so much better to hear this from fellow hobbyists who speak in layman's terms. I'll continue to experiment and compare the sound. One thing I noticed was that on some CD-R's, the NAD becomes a bit jittery. With the digital cable, the jitteriness seems to have lessened. Perhaps this has something to do with a faster signal since the conversion is taking place in the receiver. I read in the NAD owners manual that the digital ouptut could help minimize or eliminate jitteriness. Thanks again.
homer
75 posts
 
Bottom line is; which unit has the better DAC. In your player? In your receiver?
Try and see.
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