Net Streams vs. CD's

Ha, you think ;). I think some of it is the age demographic here :dunno:. IMO it’s kind of like cable TV in the early 70’s. I remember hearing both grandfathers and my father bitching about how they would never pay for TV. Guess what, they got cable and never looked back.

:beerchug:
What's astonishing is that we all paid for TV, and STILL GOT ADVERTISING. :mad: There are more and more cord-cutters these days. We save over a thousand dollars a year by going OTA and not paying for satellite. My wife and I have as much of the squawk-box as we need, not that anyone really needs any of it...
 
Understood, that's my point. I'm not saying they sound better because of MQA just that as far as I know at the moment MQA seems to be the only ones going through the extra trouble of going back to the original master for every track. They should at least get credit for that. I believe that to be the case and I consider that a benefit to the consumer (especially since it's doesn't cost me any more to stream both versions).

IMO in many cases the "masters" that MQA uses are markedly better in every way than the alternatives I can stream of the same tracks at this time (and in some cases better than the CD versions I may have). I'll take that as a benefit of what Bob Stuart has done with MQA. Regardless of the delivery method, he seems to have started in the right place (provenance) and IMO with all the negatives mentioned about MQA (I get it), the end result still sounds better than the alternatives currently available in the streaming world.

I'll take a lossy "hi-res" version (questionable especially if the master didn't have hi-res content to start with) of a superior original master than a lossless version of an inferior sample. MQA may be the devil incarnate but there's no denying once you hear and compare many tracks that the masters they use are better (even on a regular non-MQA DAC). We are not talking subtle differences here.
+1
 
You might like the sound better using the onboard DAC of a better player.

Both of these offerings from Sony originally retailed for $1000, now can be found regularly on eBay for $80. So far I've only found the DVP NS900V in black, I now have two, the DVP NS999ES I have in silver. I prefer the 900 even though it wasn't part of Sony's ES line, a bit fuller sound though both are outstanding.

DVP NS900V
View attachment 1344734

DVP NS999ES
View attachment 1344735

I also have this player for its convenience, and its no slouch in the SQ department either lol.
View attachment 1344737

Just a follow up on your CD player recommendations. I have since played around with two different CD players Playstation 3 using the Toslink output directly into my Fisher RS-Z1's Burr Brown Dacs and found the sound quality of PS3 is much better than my old Pioneer DV-C503. Wow, I couldn't believe the sound difference. Soundstage opened up, detail, bass punch, just about everything sounded better. How could the sound coming from the two players be so much different being I was using the optical output on both units bypassing CD players DAC? Could it be that the PS3 is a SACD player? On the hunt for a new CD player now! I hate this hobby, NOT. I'm looking at the DVP NS900V you recommended.
 
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OP: I've just skimmed this thread. It is not my intent to go off topic. With that said, since you listen to classical music, I thought I'd share the following. (I listen almost exclusively to classical music.)

Classical music lovers often must decide which is more important: performance quality, or audio quality of a recording. I’m not a music scholar, and I’m not hyper-critical of a performance. However, I have no tolerance for poor audio quality.

The availability of true hi-res (e.g., 24bit/192kHz PCM, or DSD) recordings varies by music genre. By “true hi-res” I mean recordings with hi-res provenance, i.e., originally recorded and mastered in hi-res - NOT Redbook CD (16bit/44.1kHz) converted to a FLAC file.

All new classical music recordings are recorded and mastered in hi-res, and almost all are available in a hi-res consumer deliverable (i.e., SACD, Pure Audio Blu-ray, Blu-ray, Ultra HD Blu-ray or hi-res download). And I find that these usually have excellent audio quality, and I enjoy them immensely. Moreover, modern classical recordings almost always offer surround-sound (in addition to a stereo track), and sometimes have hi-def video. Video is essential to ballet and opera (i.e., these are visual art forms in addition to music), and IMO video is very enjoyable for classical concerts. And Blu-ray is capable of displaying an opera’s libretto on the screen, which is extremely useful. And Blu-ray has much greater storage capacity compared with the same size CD disc. (Fewer discs are required to deliver classical box sets.) Bottom line, newer technologies have capabilities that CDs can’t deliver.

My favorite format for classical music is Blu-ray audio/video. (A few Ultra HD Blu-ray videos are becoming available.) My second choice are hi-res audio-only recordings that feature surround-sound (i.e., SACD, Pure Audio Blu-ray). My third choice is stereo 24/96 or 24/192 FLAC downloads.

I'm not a technical expert. My understanding is that hi-res generally cannot be sent though TOSLINK or coax. My understanding is that if you want to use an external DAC to play hi-res recordings (and not have the audio down-sampled), you'd need an HDMI interface. There are a few HDMI DACs, Very few are multi-channel.

FWIW, I use Oppo universal players (UDP-205, BDP-105, or BDP-95) that can decode any digital recording. The Oppo UDP-205 has built-in high-quality multi-channel DACs, "pre-amp" functionality including selectable downmixing (e.g., 7.1, 5.1, 5.0, 2.1, 2.0), bass management (i.e., configurable subwoofer crossover and RCA line-level connection), and remote volume control. You can play any hi-res recording through the Oppo's analog RCA line-level connections. (And you can connect a Chromecast Audio to the Oppo via TOSLINK in order to play streaming services.) I connect vintage tube amps directly to the Oppo. I have one stereo system, two 2.1 systems, and one multi-channel system.

I hope this isn't off topic. I just thought I'd suggest that if you get a player that only plays CDs, you're restricting your choices for classical recordings. And if you're only comparing streaming services with CDs, you not considering state-of-the art audio (and video) technology. I'm not knocking streaming services - I trialed Spotify Premium for several months. Streaming services offer access to an enormous library of music. But IME/IMO there are higher quality ways to enjoy classical recordings.

Hope this helps.
 
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OP: I've just skimmed this thread. It is not my intent to go off topic. With that said, since you listen to classical music, I thought I'd share the following. (I listen almost exclusively to classical music.)

Classical music lovers often must decide which is more important: performance quality, or audio quality of a recording. I’m not a music scholar, and I’m not hyper-critical of a performance. However, I have no tolerance for poor audio quality.

The availability of true hi-res (e.g., 24bit/192kHz PCM, or DSD) recordings varies by music genre. By “true hi-res” I mean recordings with hi-res provenance, i.e., originally recorded and mastered in hi-res - NOT Redbook CD (16bit/44.1kHz) converted to a FLAC file.

All new classical music recordings are recorded and mastered in hi-res, and almost all are available in a hi-res consumer deliverable (i.e., SACD, Pure Audio Blu-ray, Blu-ray, Ultra HD Blu-ray or hi-res download). And I find that these usually have excellent audio quality, and I enjoy them immensely. Moreover, modern classical recordings almost always offer surround-sound (in addition to a stereo track), and sometimes have hi-def video. Video is essential to ballet and opera (i.e., these are visual art forms in addition to music), and IMO video is very enjoyable for classical concerts. And Blu-ray is capable of displaying an opera’s libretto on the screen, which is extremely useful. And Blu-ray has much greater storage capacity compared with the same size CD disc. (Fewer discs are required to deliver classical box sets.) Bottom line, newer technologies have capabilities that CDs can’t deliver.

My favorite format for classical music is Blu-ray audio/video. (A few Ultra HD Blu-ray videos are becoming available.) My second choice are hi-res audio-only recordings that feature surround-sound (i.e., SACD, Pure Audio Blu-ray). My third choice is stereo 24/96 or 24/192 FLAC downloads.

I'm not a technical expert. My understanding is that hi-res generally cannot be sent though TOSLINK or coax. My understanding is that if you want to use an external DAC to play hi-res recordings (and not have the audio down-sampled), you'd need an HDMI interface. There are a few HDMI DACs, Very few are multi-channel.

FWIW, I use Oppo universal players (UDP-205, BDP-105, or BDP-95) that can decode any digital recording. The Oppo UDP-205 has built-in high-quality multi-channel DACs, "pre-amp" functionality including selectable downmixing (e.g., 7.1, 5.1, 5.0, 2.1, 2.0), bass management (i.e., configurable subwoofer crossover and RCA line-level connection), and remote volume control. You can play any hi-res recording through the Oppo's analog RCA line-level connections. (And you can connect a Chromecast Audio to the Oppo via TOSLINK in order to play streaming services.) I connect vintage tube amps directly to the Oppo. I have one stereo system, two 2.1 systems, and one multi-channel system.

I hope this isn't off topic. I just thought I'd suggest that if you get a player that only plays CDs, you're restricting your choices for classical recordings. And if you're only comparing streaming services with CDs, you not considering state-of-the art audio (and video) technology. I'm not knocking streaming services - I trialed Spotify Premium for several months. Streaming services offer access to an enormous library of music. But IME/IMO there are higher quality ways to enjoy classical recordings.

Hope this helps.
Thanks for your input. I thought the same thing about a CD player vs a DVD or BluRay SACD player. I use Tidal as my streaming service and they lack classical music in any format other than 44.1 / 16bit CD quality. Tidal has MQA 192khz/24bit format that sounds great but lacks classical music in that format. I have a large collection of classical CDs and I have been looking at an older BluRay player that is SACD capable and won't be beyond my financial means. I have been looking at Sony's BDP-S1 BluRay player just for audio. It was Sony's TOTL in 2007. Made in Japan. I can easily pick one of these up for $50 shipped. It has all the outputs you could ever need. That's the direction I'm headed. Any input welcome. Thanks
https://hometheaterhifi.com/volume_14_2/sony-bdp-s1-blu-ray-player-5-2007-part-1.html
5C57EC7B-6CFC-4819-97C6-1AC18960237A.png 735F8EA3-12C8-4EB3-B170-D5666C977820.png

Edit : The Sony BDP-S1 Blu Ray is not CD or SACD capable.
 
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Thanks for your input. I thought the same thing about a CD player vs a DVD or BluRay SACD player. I use Tidal as my streaming service and they lack classical music in any format other than 44.1 / 16bit CD quality. Tidal has MQA 192khz/24bit format that sounds great but lacks classical music in that format. I have a large collection of classical CDs and I have been looking at an older BluRay player that is SACD capable and won't be beyond my financial means. I have been looking at Sony's BDP-S1 BluRay player just for audio. It was Sony's TOTL in 2007. Made in Japan. I can easily pick one of these up for $60 shipped. It has all the outputs you could ever need. That's the direction I'm headed. Any input welcome. Thanks
I’ve actually ran across quite a few classical with Mqa the only thing is with Tidal they still don’t have there search algorithm down pat so more than likely if you type in say Mqa classical it might only come up with one thing or if you type classical Mqa nothing comes up but if you type in classical music and look for the ones with Mqa you may run across much more . Qobuz on the other hand has a much better search feature imo, but there are Mqa classical albums just an fyi.

Audiofreak71
 
Thanks for your input. I thought the same thing about a CD player vs a DVD or BluRay SACD player. I use Tidal as my streaming service and they lack classical music in any format other than 44.1 / 16bit CD quality. Tidal has MQA 192khz/24bit format that sounds great but lacks classical music in that format. I have a large collection of classical CDs and I have been looking at an older BluRay player that is SACD capable and won't be beyond my financial means. I have been looking at Sony's BDP-S1 BluRay player just for audio. It was Sony's TOTL in 2007. Made in Japan. I can easily pick one of these up for $60 shipped. It has all the outputs you could ever need. That's the direction I'm headed. Any input welcome. Thanks

A few quick comments - I'm on the run ...

I have no experience with Sony's BDP-S1. According to wikipedia: "The player is not compatible with any audio disc format, as a BD-only drive is used. However, playback of Compact Discs (CD) is possible when using the Asia-Pacific version of the BDP-S1, known as the BDP-S1E. A re-branded version of the BDP-S1E with CD playback capability was later released in North American region, with the model number, BDP-S2000ES. The player is capable of decoding Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus,[N 1] Dolby TrueHD,[N 2] LPCM, and DTS core. Currently, the player is not capable of decoding DTS-HD High Resolution Audio or DTS-HD Master Audio." (As I said earlier, my favorite format is Blu-ray, which features DTS-HD MA 5.0.)

I suggest that you buy a player that supports all of the formats you want.

FWIW, an Oppo BDP-95 and BDP-105 support everything except Ultra HD Blu-ray. The UDP-205 supports everything, but since it's been discontinued, sellers are attempting to engage in price gouging. (The original retail price for the UDP-205 was $1300.) Not sure of your budget, but you might check eBay for a used BDP-105 or BDP-95.

Have you read this thread? http://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/oppo-105d-vs-sony-ubp-x1000es.847645/ There is an open-box new Sony UBP-X1000ES on eBay for $425 (sold by Best Buy). If you don't need analog surround-sound outputs - only stereo - this unit sounds versatile - it plays almost everything including Ultra HD Blu-ray. I have no personal experience, but based on the referenced thread, I think the Sony UBP-X1000ES sounds like a great value for a universal player that supports analog stereo RCA connections.

Will you use the DAC built into a universal player? If you intend to use an external DAC (which I do NOT recommend), note my comment above: "My understanding is that hi-res generally cannot be sent though TOSLINK or coax. My understanding is that if you want to use an external DAC to play hi-res recordings (and not have the audio down-sampled), you'd need an HDMI interface. There are a few HDMI DACs, Very few are multi-channel."

FWIW, here's an example of what's available in modern Blu-ray:

Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos Danish NSO​
  • Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1–9
  • Joaquín Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez
  • Hector Berlioz: Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14
  • Richard Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie (An Alpine Symphony), Op. 64, TrV 233
41%2BEYqMSRUL.jpg



I paid $50, which I think is a great value for this amount of hi-res audio/video music.

There are similar Blu-ray audio/video box sets for several other composers that I can list if you'd like. Plus, of course, many opera and ballet Blu-ray. And countless SACDs, and a few Pure Audio Blu-ray discs.
 
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Thanks for your input. I thought the same thing about a CD player vs a DVD or BluRay SACD player. I use Tidal as my streaming service and they lack classical music in any format other than 44.1 / 16bit CD quality. Tidal has MQA 192khz/24bit format that sounds great but lacks classical music in that format. I have a large collection of classical CDs and I have been looking at an older BluRay player that is SACD capable and won't be beyond my financial means. I have been looking at Sony's BDP-S1 BluRay player just for audio. It was Sony's TOTL in 2007. Made in Japan. I can easily pick one of these up for $50 shipped. It has all the outputs you could ever need. That's the direction I'm headed. Any input welcome. Thanks
https://hometheaterhifi.com/volume_14_2/sony-bdp-s1-blu-ray-player-5-2007-part-1.html
View attachment 1383316 View attachment 1383317

All SACD players are not created equally. Back when the Sony DVP NS900V came on the market it's smaller brother the DVP NS500V was highly regarded when compared with the Rega Planet. Purchased the 500 and was underwhelmed, possibly my expectations were too high. For the next dozen yrs I kinda wrote off CD's, just kept buying records.

Browsing eBay I see the 900 for $80, what do I have to lose. WOW, the difference was not subtle. I now have 3 of them plus the NS999ES, and CX777ES.

Also have the Sony BPD-S6500, it's relegated to BluRay watching only. Its no match for the other 3 for 2 channel music only.

Here they are next to each other lol. The weight of the cables keep trying to pull the BluRay off the back of the shelf.

20190111_203146.jpg

I have no experience with the unit your thinking about, let us know how it works out.
 
OP: I've just skimmed this thread. It is not my intent to go off topic. With that said, since you listen to classical music, I thought I'd share the following. (I listen almost exclusively to classical music.)

Classical music lovers often must decide which is more important: performance quality, or audio quality of a recording. I’m not a music scholar, and I’m not hyper-critical of a performance. However, I have no tolerance for poor audio quality.

The availability of true hi-res (e.g., 24bit/192kHz PCM, or DSD) recordings varies by music genre. By “true hi-res” I mean recordings with hi-res provenance, i.e., originally recorded and mastered in hi-res - NOT Redbook CD (16bit/44.1kHz) converted to a FLAC file.

All new classical music recordings are recorded and mastered in hi-res, and almost all are available in a hi-res consumer deliverable (i.e., SACD, Pure Audio Blu-ray, Blu-ray, Ultra HD Blu-ray or hi-res download). And I find that these usually have excellent audio quality, and I enjoy them immensely. Moreover, modern classical recordings almost always offer surround-sound (in addition to a stereo track), and sometimes have hi-def video. Video is essential to ballet and opera (i.e., these are visual art forms in addition to music), and IMO video is very enjoyable for classical concerts. And Blu-ray is capable of displaying an opera’s libretto on the screen, which is extremely useful. And Blu-ray has much greater storage capacity compared with the same size CD disc. (Fewer discs are required to deliver classical box sets.) Bottom line, newer technologies have capabilities that CDs can’t deliver.

My favorite format for classical music is Blu-ray audio/video. (A few Ultra HD Blu-ray videos are becoming available.) My second choice are hi-res audio-only recordings that feature surround-sound (i.e., SACD, Pure Audio Blu-ray). My third choice is stereo 24/96 or 24/192 FLAC downloads.

I'm not a technical expert. My understanding is that hi-res generally cannot be sent though TOSLINK or coax. My understanding is that if you want to use an external DAC to play hi-res recordings (and not have the audio down-sampled), you'd need an HDMI interface. There are a few HDMI DACs, Very few are multi-channel.

FWIW, I use Oppo universal players (UDP-205, BDP-105, or BDP-95) that can decode any digital recording. The Oppo UDP-205 has built-in high-quality multi-channel DACs, "pre-amp" functionality including selectable downmixing (e.g., 7.1, 5.1, 5.0, 2.1, 2.0), bass management (i.e., configurable subwoofer crossover and RCA line-level connection), and remote volume control. You can play any hi-res recording through the Oppo's analog RCA line-level connections. (And you can connect a Chromecast Audio to the Oppo via TOSLINK in order to play streaming services.) I connect vintage tube amps directly to the Oppo. I have one stereo system, two 2.1 systems, and one multi-channel system.

I hope this isn't off topic. I just thought I'd suggest that if you get a player that only plays CDs, you're restricting your choices for classical recordings. And if you're only comparing streaming services with CDs, you not considering state-of-the art audio (and video) technology. I'm not knocking streaming services - I trialed Spotify Premium for several months. Streaming services offer access to an enormous library of music. But IME/IMO there are higher quality ways to enjoy classical recordings.

Hope this helps.
Here's a suggestion, since you're really into it: download a Seattle Symphony 5.1 multi-channel recording from Acoustic Sounds, like The Firebird, to a thumb drive. Insert in your OPPO's front usb port for gapless playback and hold on to your socks.
 
OP: I've just skimmed this thread. It is not my intent to go off topic. With that said, since you listen to classical music, I thought I'd share the following. (I listen almost exclusively to classical music.)

Classical music lovers often must decide which is more important: performance quality, or audio quality of a recording. I’m not a music scholar, and I’m not hyper-critical of a performance. However, I have no tolerance for poor audio quality.

The availability of true hi-res (e.g., 24bit/192kHz PCM, or DSD) recordings varies by music genre. By “true hi-res” I mean recordings with hi-res provenance, i.e., originally recorded and mastered in hi-res - NOT Redbook CD (16bit/44.1kHz) converted to a FLAC file.

All new classical music recordings are recorded and mastered in hi-res, and almost all are available in a hi-res consumer deliverable (i.e., SACD, Pure Audio Blu-ray, Blu-ray, Ultra HD Blu-ray or hi-res download). And I find that these usually have excellent audio quality, and I enjoy them immensely. Moreover, modern classical recordings almost always offer surround-sound (in addition to a stereo track), and sometimes have hi-def video. Video is essential to ballet and opera (i.e., these are visual art forms in addition to music), and IMO video is very enjoyable for classical concerts. And Blu-ray is capable of displaying an opera’s libretto on the screen, which is extremely useful. And Blu-ray has much greater storage capacity compared with the same size CD disc. (Fewer discs are required to deliver classical box sets.) Bottom line, newer technologies have capabilities that CDs can’t deliver.

My favorite format for classical music is Blu-ray audio/video. (A few Ultra HD Blu-ray videos are becoming available.) My second choice are hi-res audio-only recordings that feature surround-sound (i.e., SACD, Pure Audio Blu-ray). My third choice is stereo 24/96 or 24/192 FLAC downloads.

I'm not a technical expert. My understanding is that hi-res generally cannot be sent though TOSLINK or coax. My understanding is that if you want to use an external DAC to play hi-res recordings (and not have the audio down-sampled), you'd need an HDMI interface. There are a few HDMI DACs, Very few are multi-channel.

FWIW, I use Oppo universal players (UDP-205, BDP-105, or BDP-95) that can decode any digital recording. The Oppo UDP-205 has built-in high-quality multi-channel DACs, "pre-amp" functionality including selectable downmixing (e.g., 7.1, 5.1, 5.0, 2.1, 2.0), bass management (i.e., configurable subwoofer crossover and RCA line-level connection), and remote volume control. You can play any hi-res recording through the Oppo's analog RCA line-level connections. (And you can connect a Chromecast Audio to the Oppo via TOSLINK in order to play streaming services.) I connect vintage tube amps directly to the Oppo. I have one stereo system, two 2.1 systems, and one multi-channel system.

I hope this isn't off topic. I just thought I'd suggest that if you get a player that only plays CDs, you're restricting your choices for classical recordings. And if you're only comparing streaming services with CDs, you not considering state-of-the art audio (and video) technology. I'm not knocking streaming services - I trialed Spotify Premium for several months. Streaming services offer access to an enormous library of music. But IME/IMO there are higher quality ways to enjoy classical recordings.

Hope this helps.
Some day I hope to have a good used Oppo. Or maybe that Sony DVP NS900V @Grenadeslio speaks of.
 
I'm not a technical expert. My understanding is that hi-res generally cannot be sent though TOSLINK or coax. My understanding is that if you want to use an external DAC to play hi-res recordings (and not have the audio down-sampled), you'd need an HDMI interface. There are a few HDMI DACs, Very few are multi-channel.

I am no expert either, but I know that coax supports "hi-res" audio (up to 24/192), at least in PCM form. I can't speak for DSD.
 
All SACD players are not created equally. Back when the Sony DVP NS900V came on the market it's smaller brother the DVP NS500V was highly regarded when compared with the Rega Planet. Purchased the 500 and was underwhelmed, possibly my expectations were too high. For the next dozen yrs I kinda wrote off CD's, just kept buying records.

Browsing eBay I see the 900 for $80, what do I have to lose. WOW, the difference was not subtle. I now have 3 of them plus the NS999ES, and CX777ES.

Also have the Sony BPD-S6500, it's relegated to BluRay watching only. Its no match for the other 3 for 2 channel music only.

Here they are next to each other lol. The weight of the cables keep trying to pull the BluRay off the back of the shelf.

View attachment 1383366

I have no experience with the unit your thinking about, let us know how it works out.
I'm bidding on a Sony DVP NS500V now. Hopefully It finds me.Does the DVP NS500V have good analog sound? How about the S/PDIF, does it support SACD through digital outputs?
 
I am no expert either, but I know that coax supports "hi-res" audio (up to 24/192), at least in PCM form. I can't speak for DSD.

The support for hi-res via coax and TOSLINK probably varies by player.

Here's what the Oppo UDP-205 User Manual states:
  • 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've read that there was a specific firmware release of a Sony PS3 that had a "security hole" that allowed SACD to play through coax. And I've read that there are "hacks" (via software code) that allow certain players to output SACD via coax. But generally you can't output the SACD layer of an SACD via coax or TOSLINK. And you can't play the SACD layer of an SACD via a PC. (The CD layer of a hybrid SACD is a different story.)

Bottom line - I'd read the owner's manual for a specific player to determine its capabilities and limitations.

The safe bet is to use a universal player's built-in DAC. I bought the "audiophile grade" Oppo universal players (UDP-205, BDP-105, BDP-95) because they arguably have "audiophile grade" DACS and analog circuitry. I can connect vintage tube amps directly to an Oppo, drop a disc into the tray, and hit the "PLAY" button. This provides a simple and reliable way to enjoy state-of-the-art digital audio (stereo and multi-channel) and video.
 
The support for hi-res via coax and TOSLINK probably varies by player.

Here's what the Oppo UDP-205 User Manual states:
  • 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've read that there was a specific firmware release of a Sony PS3 that had a "security hole" that allowed SACD to play through coax. And I've read that there are "hacks" (via software code) that allow certain players to output SACD via coax. But generally you can't output the SACD layer of an SACD via coax or TOSLINK. And you can't play the SACD layer of an SACD via a PC. (The CD layer of a hybrid SACD is a different story.)

Bottom line - I'd read the owner's manual for a specific player to determine its capabilities and limitations.

The safe bet is to use a universal player's built-in DAC. I bought the "audiophile grade" Oppo universal players (UDP-205, BDP-105, BDP-95) because they arguably have "audiophile grade" DACS and analog circuitry. I can connect vintage tube amps directly to an Oppo, drop a disc into the tray, and hit the "PLAY" button. This provides a simple and reliable way to enjoy state-of-the-art digital audio (stereo and multi-channel) and video.

Not all devices have coax connections. But for those that do, the coax connection will support up to 24/192 PCM files. I was only addressing your earlier claim that coax does not reliably pass "hi-res" music files. It most certainly does.
 
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I have to agree with @spark1 on this one . I use coax from my Oppo to my Tri-Vista Dac using analog connections and I have plenty of DVD Audio discs and streaming HiRez that I play with no issues and sounds much better than using Hdmi which imo sounds horrible for 2ch listening compared to a good pair of interconnects.

Audiofreak71
 
I have to agree with @spark1 on this one . I use coax from my Oppo to my Tri-Vista Dac using analog connections and I have plenty of DVD Audio discs and streaming HiRez that I play with no issues and sounds much better than using Hdmi which imo sounds horrible for 2ch listening compared to a good pair of interconnects.

Audiofreak71
I don't understand your post: you say first you use coax from OPPO to Tri-Vista DAC, then you say you use analog connections. If you are using coax connections that's a digital connection.
 
RCA is also coax... The same connector type is often used.

I'm going to guess that the 'analog' RCA connection is to distinguish from optical. But still digital.
It's better communication I suppose to refer to a consumer digital connection being IEC 958, or Toslink S/PDIF.
 
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