Lossless Audio ~ Analog cables better than optical?

[mpact]

I have ordered Oppo BD-83 and now wondering what I should do with my Denon AVR-698 receiver (which does not process audio via HDMI).

I believe Oppo BD-83 offers 7.1 analog output ~ would I be better off connecting via Analog 5.1 or 7.1 cables (so it will be 4 x regular RCA audio cable)? Will this offer me better sound than using one digital coaxial?

Is there any "7.1 or 5.1 analog cable"? I googled and found some so-called special 6.1 for SACD & Blu-ray? Or I am fine to buy 4 x regular audio cable online from monoprice etc?

Blu-ray player is right above my receiver, I guess 3ft RCA cable is fine? Are most of them 22AWG?

I have Paradigm Cinema 110CT speakers. Thanks!

[Intamin]

Yes, use the analog cables since the player can decode the HD audio formats and send it to your non HDMI receiver. If you went with optical you'd only get 2.1 lpcm I believe.

For buying analog cables, they are just your standard red/white cables, and can be purchased pretty much anywhere, and range from prices of $2 to $20,000+. A cheap solution would be www.monoprice.com with another option being www.bluejeanscable.com which offers higher quality interconnects.

[mpact]

Thanks! I will go with bluejeancable

A dumb question - Oppo & Denon both supports 7.1, while my current speakers (Paradigm Cinema 110CT). Shall I buy 6 channel (5.1) cables, or better off go with 8 channel (7.1) to make it flexible for future upgrade? What do you suggest?

[solarrdadd]

by the 8 channel and your covered for your future should you decide to upgrade one day you will already have matching cables and your ready to go. I picked up the blue jeans cables myself for interconnects from my receiver to my amp. i will next week be ordering a set for my oppo blu-ray player as it will be here Friday this week and I will want to have both options especially since some people say that for SACD & DVD-A analog sounds best. i just want to cover all the bases. by the way, i'm very happy with my blue jeans cable purchase. hope this helps.

[mpact]

Thanks solarrdadd. Just to confirm, so it is okay to connect all 8 channels (7.1) between blu-ray player and denon receiver, even though I only connect the receiver with 5.1 speakers for now?

Can't wait to receive my Oppo BD-83 too, and hope there is a way to crack it become Region-Free (at least the DVD).

[CRMA]

monoprice.com also has a great product and really low cost

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by mpact

Thanks solarrdadd. Just to confirm, so it is okay to connect all 8 channels (7.1) between blu-ray player and denon receiver, even though I only connect the receiver with 5.1 speakers for now?

Can't wait to receive my Oppo BD-83 too, and hope there is a way to crack it become Region-Free (at least the DVD).

yes, but set the player to 5.1 and not 7.1 then you won't have any funny sounding movies. when you upgrade to the full 7.1 then you simply make those changes in the player too. i am guessing that your receiver does 7.1 out/in but you only have 5.1 physical speakers, correct?