Okay, I've tried to figure this out, but not sure I have a grasp on it yet.....
I just picked up a Denon 2900 to go with my 950. When I play CD's by way of the analog connection with the 950 on stereo bypass, it sounds very, very good - better than it does by using the digital inputs to the 950. When I was messing around with SACD and DVD-A playback via the 950's 5.1 inputs, I also happened to discover (I'm sure this isn't much of a discovery) that I can play dd/dts dvd's this way. So what's the problem? Well....I noticed that it sounded different than it does when I use the digital inputs and use the 950's dd/dts processors. I haven't spent enough time comparing to know if it sounds BETTER or not, but it's definitely different. Anyway, I was wondering if others play dd/dts dvd material this way, or if it's recommended to just use the optical or dig coax connections and let the 950 process things. It would seem to be that I would be somewhat limited if I bypass the 950 for movies, since I would not have the ES/EX/Cirrus modes available to me. But for 5.1 dd/dts stuff, is this a preferred method of playback??
Thanks

My DVD player is also capable of outputting DD and DTS through the analog outputs, but I use the digital connection for movies. In my case, the reasons are (1) bass management (which may be part of why you hear a difference between the 2900 and the 950, and is probably the biggest reason to use the 950 for your decoding) and (2) EX/ES/CES processing.

------------------
gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review

I use mine for the same reasons Gonk does and I prefer the decoding on the 950.

Kinda on topic, but do any of your dvd players allow you to switch from digital out to analog out without having to go into the menu? Like a button on the remote? That would make a macro to play dvd-a/sacd much easier.

I also use the processing in the 950 for CDs and DVD-V's. But I use the analog outputs on the player for DVD-A and SACD. Players typically have generic DD & DTS, but not even DD EX & DTS-ES, and obviously nothing like the CES modes the 950 has. Plus, the 950's digital BM surpasses that of most if not all players I'm familiar with.

I also have the same Denon 2900/Outlaw 950 setup. The Denon bass management and the Outlaw analog bass management give you a single crossover point of 80 Hz. If 80 Hz is good for you across the board, then on DD/DTS 5.1 material you can use whichever output sounds better to you. Experimentation is fun!

Make sure you're using one unit's bass management or the other, not both. For example, set the Denon's filter to "off" and the Outlaw's analog bass management to "on", or, set the Denon's filter to "on" and setup you speaker sizes in the denon and switch the Outlaw's analog bass management to "off".

I'm very happy with the combo although it took a little while to get it setup right. Enjoy!

My Sony DVP-NS500V outputs analog and digital at the same time. No menu switch needed. I think you can set-up most players with internal decoders to do this.