Fingers crossed, here, boss.



I have a BR player with component and 7.1 outs; I'd assume that using the HDMI with this model would be preferable, as the internal DACs in my player would be less effective (presumably) than the HDMI processing in a 978/998. However, if the 978/998 include high end DACs, such as the Sabre ESSs, then there would be no difference from using the analog outs the OPPO 95 compared to HDMI? And even preferable to use HDMI in the case of the BD-83?

With that player, I would agree wholeheartedly - use HDMI and forget about it. Whatever DAC's the Model 978 use, it should be at least as good as the Model 990 sonically (most likely even better - although I prefer to wait to hear it until I say anything definitive). That will be a solid upgrade over whatever analog section Samsung tossed into that player.

Analog performance is a complex puzzle, and predicting it even with specific details on the components used is not practical. Even if two products use the exact same DAC chip, they can sound different. The BDP-93 and BDP-83 are a good example. Both use the same Cirrus DAC, but the BDP-93 sounds a bit better than the BDP-83. Add to that the fact that we don't know what chips the Model 978 is using, and it's far too soon to know how the Model 978's analog performance will compare to other products - especially once you move into the realm of products with above-average analog designs.

Generally speaking, though, how does HDMI processing compare to good DACs?

No DSX seems to point to a basic implementafion of Audyssey, albeit an XT 32 one. If you think about it, that is consistent with their stated design philosophy for the 978. I don't know if a laptop running Pro can interface with a pre/pro via USB, but i don't think any existing units do.

Jeff

Yes on A, but I'd be very disappointed with B. I am really looking forward to Trinnov and I hope it materializes. I know it's a long way out, but I think it would be a disappointment if it never game to fruition.

If Outlaw delivered a unit with 9.2/11.2, Pro Logic IIz and Trinnov, that would be super impressive and I'd probably jump in a heartbeat.

Did I read correctly that Trinnov is not compatible with Pro Logic IIz or 9.2/11.2 or was it both?

I don't think I ever heard that. Adding more channels would seem to add processing work load, but I haven't heard of a reason why the underlying algorithms would be fundamentally unable to scale up beyond 7.1.

Thanks gonk.

I wonder if at least part of the difficulty in implementing Trinnov isn't due to its interface with the Dolby systems we all know and love so much. I wonder if the Trinnov spatial remapping ability doesn't confuse the Dolby systems to some extent.

I wouldn't think so - room correction should happen after any Dolby or DTS processing (either decoding or matrix processing like Pro Logic II or Neo:6) is applied.

Yes, ditto Audyssey's room correction.