"Eiron" wrote in message
...
A search through usenet reveals the popular opinion that universal players
convert SACD data into PCM, thus losing all of the sonic benefits of SACD.
Another opinion is that this only applies to the digital output; the
analogue
outputs are properly converted. Does anyone know the truth about this?

--
Eiron

No good deed ever goes unpunished.

Okay, I'll confess I know swat all about universal players, especially the
budget ones but from what I've read your assumptions about SACD playback are
almost correct.

Most cheaper players convert DSD to LPCM and then decode it to analogue
(audio). This technique simplifies the time domain correction adjustments
between the channels for both SACD, DVD-A, dts and DD modes. Likewise level
adjustment and bass management. No doubt only having one set of DACs for
all 6 channels providing final D/A decoding for SACD, DVD-A and LPCM is got
to be cheaper than integrating proper DSD decoding.

In the more expensive players AFAIK there are separate decoders for DSD, PCM
etc.

Most DVD-A capable players will allow 2 channel (or multichannel mixed down
to 2 channel) digital PCM bitstream output. Depending on the authoring of
the disc and the capability / settings on the player the digital bitstream
output is generally at a lower resolution that of the MLP encoded audio on
the disc.

True SACD players do not allow for a digital output to be used. Only
analogue outputs can be used to get an output from the player. No doubt
there are players on the market that do otherwise.

Cheers,
Alan