Page 1 of Which output to listen to CD`s?

I use my Sony DVD player to listen to music as well as watch films. It`s connected to my Yamaha amp via Toslink, and I have to manually switch the `effect` OFF (for 2 channel) when swapping between DVD or music. The reason being, I wanted the music info. to travel along the optical cable rather than through phono leads - digital over analog. If I switched to phono leads would this be analog, and would I notice the difference (loss) in sound? Its becoming tedious to switch the effect off, and (ahem!) I think my wife gets confused and ends up listening to films in 2 channel if the switch hasn`t been flicked back! (bless!)

My understanding is as follows (please correct me someone, if I`m wrong)

Music on a CD is stored in a digital format, but the CD player contains a DAC (digital to analogue convertor) which outputs the music in analogue format.

So your CDs should sound better when played through the phono leads (not as you`re suggesting through the optical lead)

Some DVD players can be set up to automatically use the analogue/phono output for CDs and the digital/optical output for DVDs. But with others you have to do the change manually (so it`s worth checking if your player has this auto option).

I suggest you try playing a CD through the phono leads, you should find it has a fuller/warmer sound. If you can`t tell any difference then there`s no need to worry about it.

The Yamaha amp also has a DAC - the question is whether it`s a better DAC than the one inside the DVD player. If it is, the digital connection method will sound better.

Mike

Could you try setting up your own listening test? If you haven`t got suitable phono leads I think Richersounds have a scheme where you can borrow some.