Analogue Productions SACDs

The Oppo 205 manual states the quality of the digital output depends on the output connection. I did not know until I looked.  Hope this helps with the discussions with Oppo players.

Due to bandwidth limitations , high resolution audio formats such as Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS - HD High Resolution and DTS - HD Master Audio cannot be sent through the coaxial or optical digital audio output . A reduced resolution version of the same audio track will be output instead. To listen to high resolution audio formats in their best quality , please use the HDMI connection if you have a receiver that handles HDMI audio (see page 12 ) or use the multi -channel analog outputs if you do not (see page 15 ).

Due to copyright restrictions , SACD audio cannot be sent through the coaxial or optical digital audio output . To listen to SACDs , please use the HDMI or analog audio connections .

Due to copyright restrictions and bandwidth limitations , full resolution audio from DVD -Audio discs cannot be sent through the coaxial or optical digital audio output . To listen to DVDAudio in full resolution , please use the HDMI or analog audio connections .

I was able to overcome those copyright limitations using a DBOB (Geerfab distal breakout box) with my oppo bdp-93. It extracts the DSD signal from HDMI and sends it to the dac. Works great and cheaper alternative to a super expensive SACD player and does it without breaking any laws.

@richardbrand In regards to your comments about the DSD conversion, have you heard a Rockna?  There's what you read on the internet, and then there's actual listening experience. 

To be clear, what I've said from the start is that a CD will sound better through a good DAC than a SACD through a not so great DAC.  You like what you like, keep doing what you're doing. 

I come here to learn new things with an open mind and to help when I can, based on my actual experience, not to argue with people about their audio theories.

@big_greg 

To be fair, I had not even heard of Rockna before your post, let alone heard a Rockna setup!

what I've said from the start is that a CD will sound better through a good DAC than a SACD through a not so great DAC

Not sure how this helps anyone!  You hypothetically change two factors simultaneously, with a conclusion that suggests CDs might be better than SACDs even though all hybrid SACDs include a CD layer.  Not helpful.

@alb59 

the quality of the digital output depends on the output connection

Thanks for pointing out the limitations of most digital connections!  Why North Americans seem so reluctant to embrace the purpose-designed High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is completely beyond me.

It seems to go hand-in-hand with a refusal to consider multi-channel sound, whether through SACD (5.0 or 5.1 channels), Pure Audio Blu-ray or newer formats like Dolby Atmos (up to 32 virtual channels).  All these are supported by HDMI which currently operates up to 96-Gbps.

Instead we get the faintly ridiculous notion of using HDMI cables to transmit the 1986 I2S protocol designed by Philips.  I2S was designed so two chips on the same board could communicate 2-channel 16-bit PCM data.  Let’s get real