Is there an advantage for expensive Bluray players?

[phrehdd]

I don't know how you infer this. On the contrary, I said that in the desktop Blu-ray player -> computer scenario, there is no doubt you can get good sound. For each of the audio formats a Blu-ray disc may come with, I do not have the experience as to if and how each of these can be utilized via a computer. If this is difficult, then of course that would be an argument pro fancy Blu-ray players.


Hm, that's interesting.


If a player can bitstream audio, then there is always an AVR or DAC than can make more of it than the player. Tell my why this should not be the case.


Yes, I believe a Blu-ray player should bitstream the audio out and let dedicated devices decode and make the most of it. Hence the comparison with a simple desktop Blu-ray player. Regarding video/image, I don't have the technical expertise to say whether the same argument can be made.

Let me see if I can get my thoughts together without the techie nonsense. DACs (external) come in different price ranges for a reason. Two DAC devices of the same price may produce output that are different from one another. Some DACs are not neutral in sound and can be harsh or warm or lacking in some areas of sound. While some go for "purest" sound as in perfect match best possible to the source, most prefer something that is slightly coloured in sound that pleases their ears. An AVR is no different and comparable models sound similar but not the same.

Some of us have mentioned Oppo and within the Oppo lineup were distinguishing features in both audio and video. For the audio, those units with full analogue outputs had DACs to match and were often coveted by many who were into high-end audio and video presentation. In my old PC build days, one could easily tell the output between an on board sound out and a high end audio card. If all digital to analogue was the same, this wouldn't happen. Between audio cards there are differences. Creative had a nice line up including some very good cards but they paled in comparison to say an RME audio card.

I'll simply say it really all seems to lead up to what you want to get at the end (sound). Having powered speakers that are mediocre is still going to sound mediocre even with a top-end sound set up before the speakers. My guess is you can have what you are saying with a reasonable DAC and decent speakers (or headphones). I am not an expert on this but grew up in that age where all this stuff was somewhat new and the days when lots of young guys wanted "cool" stereo stuff. <G>

Not sure if this would be of interest to you but might be helpful for the "big picture" on this matter of DACs.

Onboard vs Outboard DAC For Blu-ray? - Essence For High Res Audio

Since analog sunset began in 2013, most Blu-ray players ditched their on-board DACs and analog RCA jacks limiting their outputs to digital only HDMI, USB, and Coaxial, like this $100 Sony player above.This saves space and parts cost so the cost of Blu-ray players comes down without sacrificing...

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