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Adding a SACD player

I want to add an Oppo universal player to my system which includes all Bel Canto electronics. This is strictly for sacds that for right now I play just listening to the redbook layer. My question is regarding the connection to my BC 3.5 DAC, which also doubles as my preamp. I'm confused as to whether I should use a digital or an analog connect. Will the sacd layer be passed thru using the digital or do I need to go the analog route. Also, which dac would actually be utilized, the dac in the Oppo or the BC dac. Thanks
cruxis
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
I recall that Bel Canto DAC3.5's analog input is actually converted to digital internally which is how it can also handle volume control (all digital).

(yeap just checked.. I was right)
http://www.belcantodesign.com/Belcanto_DAC3_5_Digital_Audio_Converter.html

"a 24/192 ADC analog input"

If you use the SPDIF output from the Oppo, it would only work in 16/44 for CDs.

SACDs are encoded in DSD and the Oppo does not transmit DSD over SPDIF because of copy protection.

Even for copy protected DVDAs and BD (including Pure Audio BluRays), the SPDIF output is crippled to a max of 48kHz, even if the source is in 96 or 192kHz.

The Oppo does decode up to 24/192 using its internal DACs.
albertporter's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
albertporter
4,949 posts
 
The Oppo does decode up to 24/192 using its internal DACs.

The new Oppo BDP-105 Darbee decodes DSD via USB input from computer files such as HD downloads.

It 's capable of playing SACD but as you say, the decoding is internal and delivered via RCA jacks as analog.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,468 posts
 
SACD - not worth the trouble.
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
I don't know what Stingreen's system is but I have had similar sentiments in the past - I remember borrowing a few SACDs from friends when I got the PS3 and to be honest, I didn't know what the fuss was about.

Fast forward a couple of years later and I got a Marantz SA8003 and I have to say there was a small but appreciable difference over CDs. And then I heard the EMM Labs TSD/DAC2 and I ended up getting the replacement XDS1 after I sold my car. It was seriously a game changer.

I've been buying new and old SACDs as quickly as I can find them and I have noticed invariably they sound better than the CD versions. One could argue that the SACDs may have better mastering etc and it might even be true. But it does demonstrate it's worth buying the SACD versions if I can afford to and can find somewhere selling them.

I recently got JRiver and I've found that it has this mode that allows all my computer audio to be up sampled to DSD/DSD2x and I've found that the conversion improves the SQ a fair bit in my system (Playback MPS5 DSD DAC) and it sounded better than Audirvana Plus/Pure Music/Amarra.

Maybe there's something about the DSD process that gives it a more analogue feel.
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