The objective with all interconnects is to do the least amount of harm. We agree on that? So to keep it simple and minimize steps, I simply connect my Marantz Blu-ray player's video out via HDMI directly into my LCD TV. That takes care of the best in video. For audio, I've tried both analog and digital audio out to my Rotel AVR. Without question, the digital audio output is superior. I invested in a quality digital audio interconnect cable and connect directly into the AVR. That's it. Simple. Works well. Keep it simple and minimize physical hardware steps.
Better Blu-ray player....
Question,
Do not most people who have a Blu-ray player, especially those that cost under a grand, use HDMI cables to hook up the player? If I understand correctly, if you use HDMI to hook up you player it by-passes the on-board Audio DAC and sends bitstream to the A/V Reciever and uses the DAC in the A/V Reciever. If this so why are there no Blu-Ray "transports", I do not see the need to pay for a bunch of DACs I will not use.
This is especially rediculious on the very high end Gear like McIntosh, Krell, Theta Digital, and others. They want you to buy their Processors, that have all the latest bells and whistles, best DACs, heck even Extreme DACs in some cases, then they would also like to sell you their Universal players that are also loaded with multiple DACs. So you eventually end up paying for DACs that you would never use.
In the world of CDs they make "transports" that require a separate DAC, seems to me this should be they way they approach blu-ray.
Do not most people who have a Blu-ray player, especially those that cost under a grand, use HDMI cables to hook up the player? If I understand correctly, if you use HDMI to hook up you player it by-passes the on-board Audio DAC and sends bitstream to the A/V Reciever and uses the DAC in the A/V Reciever. If this so why are there no Blu-Ray "transports", I do not see the need to pay for a bunch of DACs I will not use.
This is especially rediculious on the very high end Gear like McIntosh, Krell, Theta Digital, and others. They want you to buy their Processors, that have all the latest bells and whistles, best DACs, heck even Extreme DACs in some cases, then they would also like to sell you their Universal players that are also loaded with multiple DACs. So you eventually end up paying for DACs that you would never use.
In the world of CDs they make "transports" that require a separate DAC, seems to me this should be they way they approach blu-ray.