Which Is Best??
03-29-00, 09:29 PM
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I am using a Toshiba 3109 DVD player with a built-in decoder and I have it hooked up to a "Dolby Digital Ready" Receiver through the analog inputs. Would there be a great difference in the sound if I bought a "Dolby Digital" Receiver and used the digital output on the DVD player? Thanks for your help.
03-29-00, 11:26 PM
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Depends on the DD/DTS receiver. As an extreme case, some of the really good ones use 2 or 3 chips w/24 bit or 32 bit processors- you should really hear it, but they cost $$$.
Seems to make the most difference for music. Compared to a low-end decoding receiver (single low quality chip, 20bit D/A...), your 3109 decoder will probably sound as good. You can check your spec's for a good guess.
If you are talking about an extra ~$100 to get the next level receiver in a good product line (like a Denon 1600 to 1800), then I'd probably do that. If you're talking about getting a piece of crap (experience w/a Kenwood 309 comes to mind) for its decoder, forget it. Stay w/a good amp and your decoder.
Seems to make the most difference for music. Compared to a low-end decoding receiver (single low quality chip, 20bit D/A...), your 3109 decoder will probably sound as good. You can check your spec's for a good guess.
If you are talking about an extra ~$100 to get the next level receiver in a good product line (like a Denon 1600 to 1800), then I'd probably do that. If you're talking about getting a piece of crap (experience w/a Kenwood 309 comes to mind) for its decoder, forget it. Stay w/a good amp and your decoder.
03-30-00, 05:22 AM
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I would definitly go with the Dolby Digital Receiver.With the receiver you have options for Bass Management.With the built in decoder on the DVD player you have none.Nuff said.
03-30-00, 10:09 AM
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I have the 3109 and use it as a dd decoder. It has a decent bass management system, equal to most low cost recievers.
The only two factors to consider is that it uses a crossover of 120 hz, which is a little high. If you set sub to yes, then all speakers use crossover, sub to no sends bass to front speakers. You have the option to run center and surrounds full range, something not available in all dd decoders.
The only problem I had was a rather weak sub output. I've seen a test report on this decoder that shows the sub output limited (supposedly to prevent distortion in the sub). I simply lowered the channel level settings for each channel by a few decibels to correct this.
Otherwise, the only thing you'll miss with this setup is dts decoding.
The only two factors to consider is that it uses a crossover of 120 hz, which is a little high. If you set sub to yes, then all speakers use crossover, sub to no sends bass to front speakers. You have the option to run center and surrounds full range, something not available in all dd decoders.
The only problem I had was a rather weak sub output. I've seen a test report on this decoder that shows the sub output limited (supposedly to prevent distortion in the sub). I simply lowered the channel level settings for each channel by a few decibels to correct this.
Otherwise, the only thing you'll miss with this setup is dts decoding.
