I like my HD-DVD set up but am I missing out on audio?

Bassbin · 30-07-2009, 1:11 PM

I've got a Toshiba E1 which I connect to a Z5 projector by HDMI and a Denon A1SR (actually a US 5803) by optical. I use this for all my DVDs and HD-DVDs and really enjoy it.

What I want to know is how much better the sound will be if I upgrade to a player with 7.1 analogue outs so I can get Hi-def audio?

Will my jaw drop or will it just be a bit better?

**Bald Monkey** · 30-07-2009, 10:38 PM

HD audio is better than 'normal' audio

But you don't need 7.1 for HD. Most HD-DVD's.. probably 99.9% of them will have 5.1 HD audio

roman-r · 08-08-2009, 9:51 AM

I definately recommend you getting an XE1

I had an E1 (at my mums now) and my XE1 with 6 phonos takes sound to another level - infact an XE1 via coaxal i.e. downscaling DD+ to DD is also better than E1. I did a back to back comparison into a Yamaha A1.

Everything is much more musical and fuller. An example is the sound of Trumpets. They sound much more real, even in DD+. In DD it is often more like transfer paper on a hair comb.

With the right player and amp (i.e. XE1 and and a flagship oldie like yours, I think DD+ will be a bigger improvement over DD than Dolby True is over DD+ although it's always going to be "disc dependent" of course.

I haven't heard an EP35 but my experience with sound tells me that the lack of build quality in this player will impact it's "sound" performance compared to the XE1 which retailed at twice the price and is a much heavier player due to the materials used in the casing.

Anyway, why settle for anything less

BrianPK · 10-08-2009, 3:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roman-r

I haven't heard an EP35 but my experience with sound tells me that the lack of build quality in this player will impact it's "sound" performance compared to the XE1 which retailed at twice the price and is a much heavier player due to the materials used in the casing.

:

H'mmm.....Interesting but possibly dodgy theory.

I've both an EP35 and EP30 and they sound first class to me but I've never heard the XEI so I can't really argue the point.It'd be nice to hear from someone who has done a comparison

**Bald Monkey** · 11-08-2009, 7:14 AM

I didn't do A/B comparisons but don't remember hearing a difference when I switched from the EP35 to the XE1, both sending Bitstream to my Onkyo. The PQ of SD-DVD's was noticably improved however.

roman-r · 11-08-2009, 5:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bald Monkey

I didn't do A/B comparisons but don't remember hearing a difference when I switched from the EP35 to the XE1, both sending Bitstream to my Onkyo. The PQ of SD-DVD's was noticably improved however.

My point was in reference to the actual thread.

HD-DVD into old flagship and experienceing HD sound means 6 channel analogue and build quality then IMHO has an impact.

BrianPK · 11-08-2009, 11:16 PM

Well,I know from my own experience that, as far as cd replay is concerned, weighty equipment does add to the quality of the sound and the same possibly applies to surround sound.If,however,the electronics in the XE1 are superior to those in the EP30/35 then ,yes,the sound quality is,more than likely, also a little superior.

Bassbin · 12-08-2009, 9:21 AM

Thanks for the replys. I think on balance I may upgrade to an XE1 if one comes up for low enough price. I think I'll also make sure that when I do get a bluray player I'll make sure it has 7.1 analogue outs.

chic · 16-08-2009, 6:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassbin

I've got a Toshiba E1 which I connect to a Z5 projector by HDMI and a Denon A1SR (actually a US 5803) by optical. I use this for all my DVDs and HD-DVDs and really enjoy it.

What I want to know is how much better the sound will be if I upgrade to a player with 7.1 analogue outs so I can get Hi-def audio?

Will my jaw drop or will it just be a bit better?

the thing is the majority of hddvds are dd+ which usualy has a bit rate of about 1.5mb for most discs and if i remember correctly the e1 will rencode the hd audio to 1.5mb dts, so with most hddvds you wont notice any difference. The odd hdddvd has dolby true hd which you wont get, however again the e1 will reencode the true hd to 1.5mb dts which will sound very good.

pho · 16-08-2009, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassbin

Thanks for the replys. I think on balance I may upgrade to an XE1 if one comes up for low enough price. I think I'll also make sure that when I do get a bluray player I'll make sure it has 7.1 analogue outs.

Your receiver is high end with 2 sets of analog so you probably want to keep it and buy a XE1 for cheap.

I believe most receiver only has 1 set of 7.1 analog input so probably can't connect both HDDVD and Bluray player using analog. A new hdmi receiver with mutiple inputs makes sense. You can send HD audio decode by E1 through hdmi as LPCM and get better sound than optical. XE1 only has 5.1 analog output but 7.1 HDDVD is rare.