[Kal Rubinson]

The Emotiva seems like a good candidate. A little light on features, but good on sound quality.

How can you know this? Have any been shipped?

 

[Kal Rubinson]

I've heard that HDMI 1.1 supports LPCM for trueHD and DTS-HD. Is that not the case? Not sure it matters....

Only if your player will decode these formats to LPCM will that be useful.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Player will be Oppo bd-83
Posted via Mobile Device

Then v1.1 will suffice.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

There are insane discounts on Processors which omit HDMI entirely. It is amazing how cheap some formerly 5-10K SSP's are listed for on Audiogon sans HDMI.

Isn't that telling us something about the value of having HDMI today?

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Hello,
I agree wholeheartedly of the importance of HDMI. Especially 1.3 and have been using a 1.3 processor since introduction. HDMI is going to become more and more important as Content Providers are doing everything possible to make Component Video and spdif a thing of the past. In the near future, Component Cable output will be restricted to 480p if they are even offered on BDP's.

Given that so many younger folks are accustomed to all media being free, I can completely understand mandating the HDCP protection being built into HDMI. It really is a difficult situation. CD sales in in the gutter. As are DVD sales. With so much media being available for free via bit torrent, it has got to be a nightmare for Content Providers.

Part of me feels the enhanced capabilities and convenience of HDMI are the Trojan Horse of making copying of media all but impossible. I felt the same way about SACD/DSD and DVD-A though I still enjoy and supported the formats.

All of this aside, it is a wonderful thing to have one cable handle High Definition audio and video. It makes setup so much easier. Especially for those starting out on building their first HT. It is not exactly intuitive to go to a onscreen menu for both audio and video connections and to match them up.
Having just one cable really does simplify hookup. And makes for much cleaner hookup.

In the earlier days of Universal Players, it required running 6 analog RCA's, a Optical or Coaxial Cable, and 3 Component Cables to have everything connected. It is a wonderful thing indeed that one HDMI Cable can do all of this.

All the same, if you are into Vinyl and have a primarily 2 Channel preference yet still want the ability to enjoy HT as well, the pre HDMI High End SSP's offer tremendous value. What was once 10 thousand Dollars can be purchased for practically Pennies on the Dollar. And many of these SSP's offer fantastic analog performance and build quality.
Cheers,
JJ

Well said. I am in the process of comparing 3 universal players via their analog outputs (for various reasons) and have reconfigured my main system by replacing the digital prepro with an analog multichannel preamp. Despite the mare's-nest of cables and the clumsiness balancing/setup, the sound is quite superb. So, I am not opposed to someone taking this tack if they have good reasons (such as those you mention). That said, I will not delay the return to my "standard configuration" as soon as these trials are concluded.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Hello,
I am liking where the 3 Universal Players Comparison is going as I have an optimistic hunch which players might be under review. Even if the players are not the ones I think they are, I look forward to your findings.
Cheers,
JJ

Wanna guess? Not a big secret.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

2 out of 3 ain't bad. 83, 83SE and Lexicon BD-30.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Hello,
Nice. Now that makes for an interesting comparison with the Lexicon. Please correct me if I am wrong, but the Lexicon shares more in common with the standard BDP-83 than it does the SE.

Mebbe. I haven't popped the tops yet. That comes later.

I really am intrigued by this group. Is this going to be a "Music in the Round" Feature?
Cheers,
JJ

Yup.