Is it posible to hook up another receiver to my AVR-350?

[markusp]

I know the question seems strange but I purchased an AVR-350 a couple of weeks ago and while I am ecstatic with its overall performance, I do despise it's lack of HDMI audio processing. While I knew about this limitation before making my purchase, I still toy around with the thought of trying to incorporate HDMI audio processing into my system as I currently own a PS3 for Blu-ray playback and a Toshiba HD-A1 for HD DVD playback.

Prior to purchasing the AVR-350, I had spent the last few months home demoing almost every HDMI receiver out there from Yamaha, Onkyo, Denon, Panasonic, Pioneer, Marantz etc. and while the HDMI processing sounded terrific with blu-ray and HD DVD hi-res audio soundtracks, I was consistantly dissapointed in the music / sd dvd / sat viewing performance of said receivers, especially in comparison to my older Anthem separates (by the way - the Arcam sounds much better than the Anthem). All this demoing was quite useful though as it convinced me to spend big on the AVR-350 and I don't regret this decision at all.

I know that the AVR-350 has multi-channel analog inputs allowing me to hook up compatable blu-ray and hd dvd players but to be honest, the Toshiba has lousy analog bass management (LFE is much too low in volume) as do the blu-ray players from Samsung and Philips. I don't want to pick up the new Sony or Pioneer as they will be replaced shortly and offer no promise of firmware upgrades re: advanced audio codecs and I can't find the Panasonic Blu-ray player anywhere in Canada for a reasonable price (only local dealer is charging $300 OVER MSRP) so after a bit of brainstorming came up with the idea of purchasing a cheap Marantz SR4001 HDMI receiver and hooking this up to the 5.1 analog inputs of the Arcam via the Marantz's pre outs. This setup would theoretically provide me with HDMI audio processing, proper bass management for my blu-ray and hd dvd sources (unlike Samsung & Philips blu-ray players and Toshiba HD DVD players when using 5.1 analog outputs) and would also provide me with an extended video switcher in the process. In essence, I am hoping to treat the Marantz as a glorified 5.1 analog source.

Do my fellow Arcam owners feel that this scenario is possible? Is there some glaring problem that I may be overlooking?

I would appreciate some thought and opinions please.

Thanks.

[Crustyloafer]

Originally Posted by markusp

I do despise it's lack of HDMI audio processing

Are you actually aware that there are reasons that Arcam have chosen to omit this feature from their receivers due to the poor audio quality and high levels of jitter present on HDMI audio streams. Arcam are all about the performance and if it doesn't meet their requirements it will not feature, full stop. As yet HDMI audio does not meet their stringent requirements and will therefore not appear on their receivers as yet.

[markusp]

Originally Posted by Crustyloafer

Are you actually aware that there are reasons that Arcam have chosen to omit this feature from their receivers due to the poor audio quality and high levels of jitter present on HDMI audio streams. Arcam are all about the performance and if it doesn't meet their requirements it will not feature, full stop. As yet HDMI audio does not meet their stringent requirements and will therefore not appear on their receivers as yet.

Hi Crustyloafer - yes, I am aware of Arcam's position on HDMI audio processing and agree that jitter can be problematic. However, having owned a number of HDMI receivers over the past few months, I CAN say that the uncompressed PCM audio tracks found on Blu-ray and HD DVD discs sound quite a bit better over HDMI than legacy DD and DTS tracks over optical / coaxial connection (on those receivers).

Now - since posting this yesterday, I was determined to go home and re-calibrate my system to make things sound the best they could. After spending some time adjusting this and that, I now feel that the Arcam sounds just a good playing these legacy DD and DTS formats as the Japanese HDMI receivers did playing uncompressed PCM and Dolby True-HD formats! It was quite an ear opener. Given this, I've decided to continue my search for the Panasonic blu-ray player (has 7.1 analog outputs and is the only player in the market today to promise a firmware upgrade to include the new hi rez decoders) to hook up to my AVR-350 properly via analog inputs until such time Arcam enters the market and produces a stellar player (a few years from now).

Cheers.

[ReferenceLover]

Well, just wait until Arcam makes Hi Def DVD player with high quality 7.1 analog DAC. You know Arcam will deliver superlative sounding DVD player.

[Canti1982]

"British high-end AV company Meridian is to introduce an HD DVD player in 2007"

If the likes of Meridian have decided to go into the HD market then maybe it wont be too long before Arcam do a similar thing. Saying this it does seem a little unclear which format is going to be the most popular.

Im still sticking with SD for the moment, I have been very tempted to buy a HDTV but then watch a dvd on my current setup and it reminds me why I dont want to just yet. The quality simply is not there at a reasonable price point.

If Arcam do enter into the HD market is not likely to happen before the end of at year at the earliest.

[Kilian]

It's possible to use another receiver as a surround processor but it'd be better to wait.

The situation is a bit messy at the moment. If you have a HD DVD player and a BD player then you either rely on DTS downmixing from each player or you end up with two sets of 5.1 analogue outs.

IMHO I think it's wishful thinking to expect anything from ARCAM on the high def front soon. Afterall it's taken them all these years to launch their universal players for DVD-A and SACD.

[Joe Fernand]

Hello Kilian

The Zektor HDS4.1 or CVS4 allow you to have up to four 5.1 Analogue Audio sources connected to a single 5.1 Analogue Audio Input on any AV Receiver - see http://www.zektor.com/hds41/index.html and http://www.zektor.com/cvs4/index.html.

Best regards

Joe

PS There is also a 7.1 switch on the way from Zektor.

[Dankeech]

Originally Posted by Joe Fernand

Hello Kilian

The Zektor HDS4.1 or CVS4 allow you to have up to four 5.1 Analogue Audio sources connected to a single 5.1 Analogue Audio Input on any AV Receiver - see http://www.zektor.com/hds41/index.html and http://www.zektor.com/cvs4/index.html.

Best regards

Joe

PS There is also a 7.1 switch on the way from Zektor.

Hi, Joe, the link you sent is for a component video switcher too. There's a pure analogue one they do too:

http://www.zektor.com/mas3/index.html

Nice products, definitely help those wanting more than 1 blu-ray/SACD/ HD DVD analogue connection who don't have HDMI 1.3

Dan.

[Joe Fernand]

Hello Dankeech

The MAS3 is no more - the HDS4.1 (and CVS4) replaced the functionally of both the MAS3 and the HDS4 in a multi purpose switch for Component video (with Stereo and Digital audio) or Analogue 5.1 audio applications.

The MAS7 is the new 7.1 unit that will launch later this quarter.

Joe

[Dankeech]

Originally Posted by Joe Fernand

Hello Dankeech

The MAS3 is no more - the HDS4.1 (and CVS4) replaced the functionally of both the MAS3 and the HDS4 in a multi purpose switch for Component video (with Stereo and Digital audio) or Analogue 5.1 audio applications.

The MAS7 is the new 7.1 unit that will launch later this quarter.

Joe

No problems, you're much more well informed than I am Joe

Dan.

[Kilian]

Thanks Joe for the info. Worth keeping these in mind. My universal player is already using the only set of 5.1 inputs on the non-HDMI receiver.

Still cost is an important consideration, plus the extra sets of 5.1 cables.