Is it possible to hook up the XA2 for 5.1 analog to outlaw 1070 or is the 5.1 analog only for SACD and DVD-A. Thanks Drew

Does the XA2 even have 5.1 analog outputs? The HD-A2 doesn't which is why I went ahead and got the HD-A1. If the XA2 does have the outputs then yes, you can use the 1070's multi-channel analog inputs.

yes the XA2 does have 5.1 analog outputs but the 1070 manual says use the analog inputs for only SACD and DVD-A which I am not sure if it is connected to the surround sound processing or it bypasses it. Does anyone know Thanks

From the 1070's manual:
7.1-Channel Analog Input with digital or analog bass management
This is for connection of today’s multi-channel source devices (Super Audio
CD and DVD-Audio players) as well as future high definition sources. You
may choose either digital or analog bass management, or simply go with
the by-pass mode when your player has internal bass management.

You're good to go. --Chuck

Cvinfig's got it right - the 7.1 Direct input is for any multichannel audio source that can't be carried by a coaxial or optical digital connection. When the 1070 manual was written, that was DVD-Audio and SACD (HD-DVD was still almost a year away from launch, and Blu-ray farther off still), but you'll want to use the multichannel analog connection for the new HD-DVD/Blu-ray audio formats for the very same reasons that you want to use them for DVD-A and SACD.

Thanks a lot fellas. Do you think I will notice a big difference in audio quality from toslink to 5.1 analog.

Drew

For the new formats? Very likely so, yes. That's the impression I've gotten from others, at least.

For standard dvds, I don't think you'll notice a difference (I don't). Dolby TrueHD soundtracks through 5.1 analog sound awesome - noticeably better than anything you'll get through toslink. Check out the 990 forum as there are a couple of recent threads in there about HD-DVD...