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Oppo 105 Analog vs HDMI?

I listen entirely to classical music, and when I listen via the the Oppo 105's multi-channel analog outs (I use the main stereo LT/RT for the front channels), the sound is rather boxy/congested and has little depth. Via HDMI, the sound just blooms! The imaging is far wider, deeper, and the sound is simply more open sounding. I find this to be very puzzling since the analog section of the 105 is so highly touted. I do prefer the m-ch outs for solo instruments since there is less of a sense of depth in the first place. Any suggestions?

(Here is my system):

DALI Epicon 2 front speakers
Martin Logan Motif center speaker
Definitive Technology ProMonitor 1000 surrounds
Martin-Logan Abyss subwoofer
Sony 5400ES SACD
Oppo BDP 105 SACD/Blu-ray player
Marantz 8801 pre/pro
Parasound Halo A51 5-ch amp
128x128bachtoven
willland's avatar
willland
846 posts
 
Well, maybe your Marantz 8801 has something to do with that. I have heard/read that it is an outstanding performer for HT, 2-channel audio, and multichannel audio. A flagship prepro probably has been built with flagship components from top to bottom. Also, I think you can only engage Audyssey MultEQ XT32 when using a digital connection like HDMI and that alone can account for a better presentation.

Bill
bachtoven's avatar
bachtoven OP
23 posts
 
Yes, the Audyssey only works with HDMI. I'm keen to preserve the DSD resolution as long as possible without downsampling to PCM, which is what the Audyssey does. Perhaps the people who praise the analog outs only listen to it in stereo.
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 
and when I listen via the the Oppo 105's multi-channel analog outs (I use the main stereo LT/RT for the front channels)
Am I understanding this correctly, that you use the main stereo L/R out instead of the FL/FR out that is a part of the multi-channel out, and also use the center/rear/sub out in the multi-channel out?
bachtoven's avatar
bachtoven OP
23 posts
 
Yes, as suggested by the owner's manual. It sounded even worse with the FL/FR outputs!
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
I'm not arguing with your hookup choice but I can't find any such suggestion in the manual for my Oppo 105. Can you point us to the page in the manual where it appears? I would certainly expect it (or any MCH-equipped player) to sound congested, the way you have it hooked up
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