AV receiver for PS5
- Thread starter StartWars
- Start date
The timing of your question within the thread suggests that you're asking if you'll hear the difference between ARC and eARC. If so, you can test this for yourself. Do you hear the difference between Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby TrueHD?
The difference between ARC and eARC is in the formats they support. ARC is the equivalent of an Optical or Coax digital connection. It will support stereo PCM (without or with Dolby Surround encoding as picked your amp's DPL II processing), and DD5.1 which is the lossy 5.1 surround sound format made popular by DVD.
Quite whether DTS is supported by the ARC connection depends on the TV. Some don't feature it at all. Some will pass a DTS 2.0 (stereo DTS) signal. Others will pass DTS5.1. Just a reminder, DTS is the equivalent of DD5.1 It is a lossy discrete 5.1 surround format.
eARC is the equivalent to a step up to HDMI for n audio connection. The difference that eARC makes if fitted to both the TV and receiver is that the connection supports all that ARC does plus...
Dolby TrueHD - the lossless surround format as used on Blu-ray discs
DTS Master Audio - the lossless surround format as used on Blu-ray discs
multichannel uncompressed PCM - as used by games consoles, multichannel SACD and DVD-Audio players, and any other source that either won't output a digital bitstream HD audio signal for TrueHD/Master Audio.
In answer to your question then, if you have a BD player with HDMI out and Optical/coax out, and you connect both to different inputs on your 323, then make sure that both are set to output Bitstream, what you should be hearing from your amp is a DD vs Dolby TrueHD or a DTS vs DTS Master Audio comparison.
Clearly there will be times when ARC and eARC will sound exactly alike because the signal is PCM 2.0 or DD5.1 from the source.
Thanks for the explanation.
I'm quite torn but I'm now leaning towards the Denon AVR-X1600H, Sony STR-DH790 or Sony
STR-DN1080. Do any of these offer any different advantage? For example is one of them more likely to produce better stereo sound from record players?
I also noticed these models aren't widely available as I assume they are older models. I can't find the Sony STR-DN1080 for sale anywhere online? Richer Sounds is selling it for £429 but it seems to be available via phone order only.
It will be stored at the bottom of my glass TV shelf so it will be a fairly tight space so I'm not sure if this will be suitable for the Denon if it gets hot easily.
I'm quite torn but I'm now leaning towards the Denon AVR-X1600H, Sony STR-DH790 or Sony
STR-DN1080. Do any of these offer any different advantage? For example is one of them more likely to produce better stereo sound from record players?
I also noticed these models aren't widely available as I assume they are older models. I can't find the Sony STR-DN1080 for sale anywhere online? Richer Sounds is selling it for £429 but it seems to be available via phone order only.
It will be stored at the bottom of my glass TV shelf so it will be a fairly tight space so I'm not sure if this will be suitable for the Denon if it gets hot easily.
Yeah, I would avoid the Denon where space is tight and ventilation restricted.
The simple.logic of the Sony 1080 being a higher model than the 790 gives some hope that it would be the better of the two in stereo mode. Having said that, I have read fairly positive things on both amps regarding music. What's handy is both are stocked by Richers, and if you can't get the 1080 via mail order then that seems like the perfect reason to arrange a visit. You can do that by appointment, then demo both in stereo and answer it for yourself. Whichever one you come out with, you'll know for sure it's decent with music, and you may end up saving yourself a few quid too if the 790 ticks all your boxes.
As for supply, this is the combined effect of COVID, Brexit, the continuing effects of austerity, and the impact of sound bars on the size of the AV receiver market. There aren't many signs that things will improve in the short to medium term, so unless you have a good reason to hold off, I would suggest getting your skates on and doing a deal quick.
The simple.logic of the Sony 1080 being a higher model than the 790 gives some hope that it would be the better of the two in stereo mode. Having said that, I have read fairly positive things on both amps regarding music. What's handy is both are stocked by Richers, and if you can't get the 1080 via mail order then that seems like the perfect reason to arrange a visit. You can do that by appointment, then demo both in stereo and answer it for yourself. Whichever one you come out with, you'll know for sure it's decent with music, and you may end up saving yourself a few quid too if the 790 ticks all your boxes.
As for supply, this is the combined effect of COVID, Brexit, the continuing effects of austerity, and the impact of sound bars on the size of the AV receiver market. There aren't many signs that things will improve in the short to medium term, so unless you have a good reason to hold off, I would suggest getting your skates on and doing a deal quick.
Thanks, I'll most likely go for the 1080 but I'll contact Richer Sounds to see what they can offer.
Is it also worth getting stands for the Tannoy speakers? I don't have any shelves for them to sit on so they are on the second shelf of my TV stand which isn't ideal as its low down and they are partially blocked by the legs. There's also not enough room by the side of the TV and I don't like having them in front of the TV as they block part of the picture.
Is it also worth getting stands for the Tannoy speakers? I don't have any shelves for them to sit on so they are on the second shelf of my TV stand which isn't ideal as its low down and they are partially blocked by the legs. There's also not enough room by the side of the TV and I don't like having them in front of the TV as they block part of the picture.
TBH, for the cost of suitable sat stands and the floorspace they'll take up you might as well have a look at picking up some used Tannoy floorstanders.
They'll have a similar footprint to the stands, and you can block the ports to tame the bass response if they're a bit too close to the back wall. They'll probably be easier to drive for any amp, and they'll do far more to lift the music performance of your system than stands for the TFX are ever likely to do.
I do recommend arranging a dem between the amps though. Don't just buy blind so-to-speak when the opportunity to listen to each amp through some revealing stand mount or floorstanding speakers is available to you.
They'll have a similar footprint to the stands, and you can block the ports to tame the bass response if they're a bit too close to the back wall. They'll probably be easier to drive for any amp, and they'll do far more to lift the music performance of your system than stands for the TFX are ever likely to do.
I do recommend arranging a dem between the amps though. Don't just buy blind so-to-speak when the opportunity to listen to each amp through some revealing stand mount or floorstanding speakers is available to you.
That would be ideal but I don't know if they're still doing demonstrations when their stores are closed during lockdown? I also noticed the 1080 has WiFi connectivity which gives it an advantage so I can stream Spotify. I probably will upgrade my speakers eventually but not for a while as the TV and AV receiver are a big expense.
It costs you nothing to ask. If they can't arrange a demo then you're no worse off simply buying and calling to collect. But if they can....
Just ask the question. No one will shout at you. They might surprise you by saying yes.
I see what you're doing. You're already justifying the 1080 to avoid feeling uncomfortable about asking about a demo.
Exactly. A big expense; so if you can save yourself £100-£150 by finding out the the 790 works just as well as the 1080 for simple stereo then isn't that worth it?
Think how much closer you could be to better speakers with that £100+ saving and not wasting an extra chunk of cash on front speaker stands for the TFX that would become redundant as soon as you upgrade the front stereo pair.
I spoke with Richer Sounds and they said they don't offer demonstrations at the moment but you can return them within 14 days of use after trialling them which is handy. Both Sony AV receivers are only available for preorder. They also said Sony AV receivers have a cleaner sound compared to Denons which have a punchier sound. Has anyone else had this experience?
With a small discount they are offering a bundle with the Sony 1080 AV receiver and LG CX 55 Oled for around £1,690 - am I likely to get a better deal closer to Easter?
With a small discount they are offering a bundle with the Sony 1080 AV receiver and LG CX 55 Oled for around £1,690 - am I likely to get a better deal closer to Easter?
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