S/pdif vs. auxiliary in volume?

Question

I know the s/pdif is better quality, but which produces higher volume? I'm using auxiliary right now for my system and can't upgrade till later. But compared to what other people had to say about it, its way too quiet. So by switching, will it get louder?

Answer 1

I am assuming you are talking about listening to 2 channel music only. If not then you almost always have to use the digital connection because you can not have 5.1 without it unless you use what is typically referred to as 5.1 analog outputs from the DVD player. You DVD player and your HT receiver have to have these 5.1 inputs and outputs. In any case neither will produce higher volume than what your amp is capable of producing. Your amp will reach its peak volume at possibly a different volume position depending on what connection you use but it will not be able to provide a louder volume in the end.  Lets say you hook up one way and you normally listen at level 5. Now you hook up a diffrent way and in order to get the same sound you have to turn up to 7. Sure one is louder than the other at the same volume point but the amp is still putting out the same amount of power. The power is just coming at a different point is all. If you have 100 watts per channel you will get 100watts per channel regardless of what connection you use. Pay attention to distortion. Cleaner music can sometimes sound quieter than distorted music. Distorted music is noisy music and very fatiguing on your ears it may seem louder but is infact actually quiter. Use the digital connection. In most cases the digital to analog converters in your receiver will be better than the ones in your CD/DVD player unless you are using a cheap receiver with an expensive player. If you have say a Denon receiver and an LG DVD/CD player use the digital connection. If you have a home theater in a box and a high quality denon CD?DVD player the DVD player will most likely provide the better digital to analog conversion. In this case you would want to use the analog connection for your music listening and the digital for movies as you need to use it in order to have 5.1. surround. I use only analog when I can't use digital. Mainly because I know the digital to analog converters are better in my preamp than they are in my DVD and CD players.