OK, here goes. When hooking up my Oppo for SACD and DVD-A, I know that I should use the analog multi-channel connections. I just picked up some Monster Cables for about $70.00 for six, two meter length.

Monster quotes "For proper shielding, connect your Monster audio interconnect with the directional arrows pointing away from the signal source toward the receiver. This ensures that any interference is grounded at the source component instead of being amplified by the receiver or amplifier".

Is this hogwash or does it actually make sense? (I unscrewed each end of the same cable and they look identical to me). If I reversed them, would it actually add interference or sound any worse?

Also, if they provide 6 cables, why does the 990 offer 8 audio inputs and should I always be using the 7.1 direct button on the remote for optimal sound when listening to a SACD or DVD-A? Finally, if everything is recorded in 5.1, why offer 7.1?

Just curious.

There is actually a reason for the directionality - it has to do with which end the shield is grounded on. Outlaw's PCA's are also manufactured this way, with directional arrows on the cables.

The 990 offers a 7.1 analog input because of the (unexpectedly slow) emergence of discrete 7.1 sources such as Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD as well as the fact that multichannel analog inputs typically do not allow for surround processing such as Pro Logic IIx. It was expected that HD-DVD and Blu-ray players would all offer 7.1 analog outputs to match up with the 7.1 support offered by their new audio formats, but to date only one player (Panasonic's Blu-ray deck) offers 7.1 analog output and the others are all limited to 5.1. In general, the surround back channels are unused. Some people have begun playing around with using splitters to feed the surround channels to both the side and rear surround inputs.

You will want to use the 7.1 Direct input when listening to DVD-Audio and SACD discs - it's the only way you'll hear anything from SACD's, and the only way you'll get the full resolution of DVD-Audio discs.

gonk - Thank you so much for answering all of my questions so thoroughly. I really appreciate your expertise not only for my specific questions, but for your knowledge and humor with regard to other people's questions on all of the forums.

Aaron

With respect to cables, this is the gold standard: http://www.bluejeanscable.com/

Top notch components and top notch build quality. You can find comparable for less sometimes, but you should never pay more than this ever.