Freeview TV sound?

Posted by: ChrisG on 16 December 2013

I run an olive Naim system (82/2xHicap/250) in my main listening area, but in the kitchen I have two Sonos connect amps with two pairs of B&W ceiling speakers. Currently I have the optical out from a Samsung xxxxx television going into a small DAC to provide an analogue input for one of the Sonos amps. The DAC was supplied by the TV installer a couple of years ago with the Samsung. Frankly the sound from this arrangement is very poor, it's not in any way comparable to the Sonos streaming 320Kbps files and i'm not sure if it's the £50 DAC or the inherent quality of Freeview broadcasts?

Would a better quality DAC be worthwhile?

Would appreciate any help/suggestions.

Many thanks

Chris

Posted on: 16 December 2013 by Bananahead

Doesn't your XXXXX have analogue sound outputs that can feed the Sonos?

How does the sound directly from the TV compare to the Sonos setup?

I have two Sky HD boxes. One feeding analogue straight into my Naim setup and the other feeding optical into an Arcam home cinema system. Both sound really good.

Posted on: 17 December 2013 by ChrisG

Hi Mr B

Sorry meant to go back and put in the model number, it's a Samsung UE46D80000, which only has an optical output no analogue. I had another look and the small DAC is a CYP AU-D3, which is £45 or so but gets excellent reviews for what it is. I think it maybe a problem with the output level of the CYP and the input sensitivity of the Sonos connect amp as I have to crank the volume way up on the connect. The sound from the TV like most ultra thin bezel LED's is adequate but no more, hence the attempt to improve it through Sonos/B&W speakers, a combination which is surprisingly good with 320Kbps rips so it's capable of a decent sound.

I guess you've answered part of the problem, i.e that the sound should be good, so thanks for clearing that up, I'll try to borrow a better DAC or one with a higher output level from the analogue outs.

Thanks for your help.

Chris