2. digital
  3. 1246720982

My Blu-Ray HDMI conundrum

A few months ago replaced my analog multi channel preamp (McCormack MAP-1) with an upgraded Onkyo 855, and went all multi channel digital. I did so because the Onkyo produded glorious multi channel SACD sound with my Sony XA 5400 CD/SACD player over HDMI (far better than what I was used to using the McCormack). However, for some reason, using the Onkyo with my Denon 2500 Blu Ray transport over HDMI is a big dissapointment on the audio side of things (video is stellar). Although I cannot do an A/B (Denon has no analog outs), I suspect the analog route would sound better on Blu-Ray. I could ditch my Denon 2500, get a player with multi channel analog outs and run multi channel analog through the Onkyo. I could get a Denon Pre/Pro and run high rez digital through the proprietary Denon Link (an expensive proposition). I could get my Denon 2500 upgraded. I am looking for any advise on how to get better audio out of blu ray.
edorr
edorr OP
714 posts
 
Thanks for suggestions everyone. The solution is obvious: First get myself an Oppo BDP-83 and do a shootout against the Denon over HDMI. Then compare the Oppo HDMI out with its 5 channel analog out (I have plenty top notch cables lying around). Best of all, if the Oppo does not get me better Audio I send it back with full money guarantee. A no brainer when you think about it...
vjay00
37 posts
 
Edorr, if you do get the Oppo BDP-83 now (7/09), please make sure you download the latest public beta firmware release and update the player before you do any testing. This firmware is necessary to fix some of the SACD/DVD-A issues. The player's SACD performance is excellent after the update. There are no issues with the HDMI connection.
ozzy's avatar
ozzy
7,499 posts
 
Vjay00 , I have the Oppo BP 83. Where do you go to get the firmware update.
I cany find anything on the website.
vjay00
37 posts
 
Ozzy, go to the BDP-83 page on the Oppo website, and select the Support tab. You will see the downloadable firmware versions and instructions:
http://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-bdp-83/blu-ray-BDP-83-Support.aspx
edorr OP
714 posts
 
Quick update. I decided to go all out and buy a Pioneer BDP-09FD, which allegedly sets the standard for blu ray analog multi channel out. To hedge my bet I got it at a price I could resell it for, in case it disappointed. The Pioneer analog setup completely blows away the Denon over HDMI, and I am now more than ever convinced Hi Rez audio over HDMI packaged with the video signal is a fatally flawed architecture (in its current implementation). I do not understand what these reviewers (I read multiple touting the audio quality of the Denon 2500) were smoking. It is not even close to the Pioneer analog route. What I also don't understand is why every high end home theater store runs HDMI from 3K players into 8K processors in 30K systems, settle for crappy audio, when all it takes is 6 analog cables and a processor with a good multi channel analog bypass mode. Very puzzling. The other things that puzzles me is why my Sony XA54000ES over HDMI sounds so good. Must be the DSD direct bitstream..... Anyway, my Pioneer stays - analog is back and look for a Denon 2500 listed on Audiogon soon....
More to discover