Do I need to replace the A2

I consider my audio set up pretty good. Onkyo TX-DS797 with NHT bookshelfs (SB2) and Center and Sub, with three surrounds for 6.1 sound. I couldn't pass up the $98 special for the A2 earlier this month, but now realize I cannot get true HD sound since the A2 does not have the 5 analogue output, yet my receiver does, but does not have an HDMI port (which I don't mind since I think any type of split to the signal can lose quality) which I need based on the A2.

Since I think this receiver is one of the best in its class and would hate to replace it (pretty sure the wife would prevent it), question is am I really missing out on the sound quality because of this and if so, is the only solution to get a stepped up HD player. Couple other things for consideration is that I don't play movies as loud as I used to now that there are a couple small kids asleep at that time (but still want good, clear sound) and I don't expect to own too many HD DVDs since I have a big collection of standard DVDs and won't replace them, most HD movies will be rented. Also, I am guessing that there would be no difference in sound quality of my current collection of standard DVDs. Lastly, the DTS on the HD movies does sound better than my current DVDs and I am hoping that my receiver produces a good enough sound that there isn't a big difference with what I am missing.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

DerekC, I'm on the same boat as you. I have the HD A2 and I have a Yamaha receiver with the 5.1 direct inputs but no HDMI. So my options are to upgrade my HD A2 to the HD XA2 or upgrade my Yamaha receiver (which I love) to the Onkyo TX-SR-605, 705 or for the rich guys the 805 (I personally would be happy with the 605 as I've heard it and it sounds GREAT with Dolby TrueHD).

Its a hard choice because I know the XA2 is second to none when it comes to upconverting regular DVD's and like you said I can hook it up to my current receiver via the 5.1 direct inputs to enjoy the HD audio. Decisions decisions...I'll probably end up upgrading my amp though...unless of course I can score an XA2 for cheap on ebay or amazon

[Post edited by Falcon01 on Nov 30, 2007]

falcon --

I am also on the same boat as you are. I want to upgrade to a new receiver to play HD audio codecs. However the problem is -- no player in the market (HD or BD players) send TrueHD and DTS HD MA as a Bitstream. Other it is converted to PCM. 5.1 analog is the best way to enjoy TrueHD without upgrading. I haven't seen a HD-DVD title with the DTS HD MA

rpruthee,

I believe the XA2 and the A35 now send True HD and DTS HD bitstream via HDMI. The Samsung 1400 also just received a firmware upgrade to send True HD and DTS HD bitstream.

It is a tough choice. I bought a A2 for my mom for christmas but I didn't upgrade my A1 because it has the 5.1 analog outputs and I know there is no way I could go back to listening to movies through Optical (my receiver has no HDMI input). I love the 5.1 analog outputs, I think they even make my regular SD soundtracks sound better.

I'd like to at some point, upgrade my receiver but it's a great receiver so I can't really justify buying a new one for the conveinence of HDMI.

At the AVS Forums, a Microsoft Insider said a few weeks ago that he thought the fewer times an audio track was encoded and decoded, the better it would sound. Therefore, he felt the analogue outputs directly through the receiver was a better proposition than encoding TrueHD at the player and having to decode it (1.3 HDMI) again at the receiver.

John

Quote:
I didn't upgrade my A1 because it has the 5.1 analog outputs and I know there is no way I could go back to listening to movies through Optical (my receiver has no HDMI input). I love the 5.1 analog outputs, I think they even make my regular SD soundtracks sound better.

I'd like to at some point, upgrade my receiver but it's a great receiver so I can't really justify buying a new one for the conveinence of HDMI.

[/b]

My thinking exactly. Before I found DVD Town, I had no idea what the analogue outputs on my older Toshiba SD DVD player were for. I was using a coax cable for sound and I was not happy with the quality. When I bought my A-1 and discovered DVD Town (around the same time), I read a post addressing the analogue cables, hooked them up, and I've been a happy camper ever since. I bought the A-35 mainly because it had the analogue outputs. I am perfectly satisified with the audio through my 5.1 Denon and I'm in no hurry to upgrade, run more wires, etc. Perhaps I'll buy a 7.1when I set up my theater downstairs, but that's for another day.

So I should ditch my optical and go with the analog on my A2? I have the Yamaha HTR 5850 receiver that I am running.
Oh by the way like my snowflake??? LOL

[Post edited by InvisibleBiker on Dec 1, 2007]

"So I should ditch my optical and go with the analog on my A2?" --InvisibleBiker

I thought the A2 didn't have 5.1 analogue outputs, only the XA2?

John

There are no analogue outputs on the A2.

Wait! Wait! Wait! So you guys are saying that on my 4 year old Sony STRDE595 receiver I can use the 5.1 analog inputs to listen to DolbyHD and DTSHD signals even though my receiver does not decode the HD signals? And you are saying that would be better than Optical on my receiver? That is the message that I am getting here! I hope this is true so I can save myself some money! Would using the 5.1 inputs on my receiver and outputs on my current SD DVD sound better than using optical? This would be awesome.