In Reply to: Multichannel SACD upgrade path.... posted by oscar on February 16, 2012 at 08:15:12:
...so using HDMI and the DACS in MOST pre/pros would sound not as good. (Of course, whether anyone can hear those differences is a separate issue.) Oscar, your Meitner preamp has 6-channel analog inputs? RCAs only?
If so, as Kal suggests, do use the 2-channel outputs for 2-channel sources; while the 2 audio-output boards use the same ESS 5-star-quality DACS, the 2-channel outputs parallel 4 of the 8-channel chip's sections per single audio-output channel (per Gary Gallo writing in the January, 2012 issue of 'audioXpress').
I use both the 6-channel analog and the CD outputs of my '83SE into my c-j MET1, an analog-only 6-channel vacuumtubed preamp. The advantage for me is to be able to use the preamp's Ambience Recovery Mode to add a little spaciousness to 2-channel recordings. When the levels of the center and surround channels are kept low, the result sounds VERY nice.
I recommend the Gallo review mentioned above to anyone considering the '95.
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Follow Ups
- The reviews I've read indicate that the ESS Sabre32 Ref. DACs in the '95 are as good as money can buy... - jeffreybehr 13:47:20 02/16/12 (11)
- RE: The reviews I've read indicate that the ESS Sabre32 Ref. DACs in the '95 are as good as money can buy... - Kal Rubinson 14:45:19 02/16/12 (9)
- Does that mean using dedicated 2 channel digital output - audiozorro 09:20:18 02/17/12 (8)
- No. - Kal Rubinson 13:27:28 02/17/12 (7)
- So that means when playing multichannel music - audiozorro 16:15:46 02/18/12 (6)
- The dedicated stereo outputs are superior. - Kal Rubinson 17:38:10 02/18/12 (5)
- RE: The dedicated stereo outputs are superior. - ted_b 19:17:56 02/18/12 (4)
- Sorry, Ted. - Kal Rubinson 19:39:55 02/18/12 (3)
- RE: Sorry, Ted. - Robert C. Lang 22:46:53 02/19/12 (0)
- RE: Sorry, Ted. - ted_b 07:20:26 02/19/12 (1)
- Thanks Kal and Ted - audiozorro 16:11:22 02/19/12 (0)
- Meitner supports both XLR and RCA 6-channel inputs... - oscar 14:21:48 02/16/12 (0)