Anyone using the analog inputs from the processor?

I never said the analog connection sounded better than a digital connection, but I stand by my opinion that it is certainly an acceptable alternative. In my situation, I chose to invest in a receiver years ago prior to DD/DTS becoming defacto in receivers, so my priority at the time was good quality 2-channel, Pro-Logic processing, and a analog 5.1 input to ensure compatablity with future formats. And guess what? Nearly ten years later it's still at the heart of my A/V system and performing just fine.

Uncompressed PCM at 24/96 sounds terrific through an analog connection in my system and I have a hunch that the uncompressed Dolby Tru-HD and DTS-MA will sound awesome too. Maybe a hair or two less dynamic than digital HDMI, but still very enjoyable nontheless. Splitting hairs at most between the two.

As an aside, if an analog connection is so limited dynamically, explain why the two most dynamic music formats, SACD and DVD-A, are only available via analog connections? You'd think that the industry would have passed on that option if it were so inferior for their new flagship high-res format? -jz

1. SACD/DVD-A are now available, as digital, on HDMI and, in my case, on 3xS/PDIF. The prior restrictions were based on the intention of keeping the digital output away from those who would copy it, allowing them only the analog. That should tell you something.

2. Well, the best justification of keeping it digital, for me, is not any dynamic limitations but the ability to make use of the DSP in modern AVRs and pre/pros, most especially modern roomEQ.

Kal

"Uncompressed PCM at 24/96 sounds terrific through an analog connection in my system" (john Z)

YEP! Indeed, I have been running PCM 24/96 and redbook from a superb CD player direct to an analog input on 2 channel pre's for years, WITH EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS TOO! Infact, until the advent of the DSP room correction, that was the ONLY WAY I'd run my 2 channel setups! And, I agree, it sounded terrific (considering a solid setup in an an acoustically sound room) HOWEVER, processing DD/DTS with this connection setup (processing in the DVD player) was another story entirely!!
Perhaps its likely do to the quality of the DD/DTS decoders and how it's processed and amplified from the analog out's of the DVD players. However, nontheless, it just never worked well in this regard. That's all my experience has said here. Also, if you read many of the back articles over the past years, you'll hear reviewers commenting on these options and saying they recommend digital connection processing in an outboard pre/pro for dd/dts dubties (heck, if you didn't need to do it this way, all us av-phile guys could do without pre/pro's completely!!!)

"As an aside, if an analog connection is so limited dynamically, explain why the two most dynamic music formats, SACD and DVD-A, are only available via analog connections?" (John Z)

Again, see above. I agree, PCM cd's work well from the analog outs of players - just not well for the movie processing.

I agree with both points of view here.
I have a denon 5900 hooked up to a denon 5803, and have both analog and digital interconnects. The digital connection sounded better because I could manipulate the sound in the avr.
But then I added a cj met1 6-channel, analog, tube pre and was forced to use 6 analog outs to pre and 6 more over to avr. The sound improved based on quality of interconnects and the addition of a quality pre amp.
Now I have added the cj met150 5 channel amp and eliminated the avr all together , and it sounds much better than dvd to avr via digital.
The 5900 is outdated but has quality dacs from what Im told, so that could play a role. and all those interconnects leave room for degradation, but I am very happy with both sound and future expansion using a analog pre and amp, plan on adding a denon blueray with analog out and a transporter for server setup to feed analog out of that as well.
Works for me :)

Should have mentioned I also have a primaluna8 tube cd player, that has only analog outs to the analog linestage, and it sounds incredible.