Cable box audio out analog vs. TV Optical audio out with converter to analog. Which connection to an analog pre -amp is sonica

[georgespaladino7]

Which provides better sound quality to an analog pre -amplifier with RCA plugs. ???
Connect from cable box ,or use theTV's optical audio out with a converter to analog ????

 

[kanewolf]

It is going to depend on the quality of the DAC. A cheap converter vs a cable box won't make much difference.

 

[georgespaladino7]

It is going to depend on the quality of the DAC. A cheap converter vs a cable box won't make much difference.

I intend to purchase a high end RCA cable for connection from cable box to pre amp. Cheapest quality DAC runs about $300...
To me ,the less connections ,the better.. Your thoughts??

 

[kanewolf]

The quality of your speakers, will be more important that what you are asking about. If you can't go multi-channel surround sound, I would go from the signal source (cable box). I have seen TVs that introduce a slight delay in the picture with whatever internal processing they are doing. If you run into this problem, audio and video out-of-sync, then you will have to use the audio output from the TV.

 

[georgespaladino7]

The quality of your speakers, will be more important that what you are asking about. If you can't go multi-channel surround sound, I would go from the signal source (cable box). I have seen TVs that introduce a slight delay in the picture with whatever internal processing they are doing. If you run into this problem, audio and video out-of-sync, then you will have to use the audio output from the TV.

 

[georgespaladino7]

I have high quality Thiel Speakers, 18 yrs old, Right and left , no surround or subwoffer . I will go with RCA from cable to Pre-amp..
I believe I saw an audio delay adjustment on this TV.
I will go direct from Cable box to pre-amp with RCA plug ins...if no good will go to DAC converter....
Thanks ,
George

 

[americanaudiophile]

If you want to buy a DAC to upgrade your digital music sources then you would use it for the TV too, Otherwise I agree it isn't worth the investment for what at best would be a minor improvement. I would also not worry too much about the RCA cable from the box to the preamp. At best the analog audio is comparable to FM radio so it's not worth going for a great cable. Might be worth upgrading one of your other RCA cables and using the old one on the cable box.