DTS-HD Master Audio

Thanks Srwooten for the information!

I was thinking of buying the SONY BDP-S500. You can check out the specs on this player and let me know if it will do DTS-HD Master Audio at:

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665227485

The player is a few years older but I like it because it fits on my audio rack better than all the latest players. All the latest players are too thin for my audio rack and it looks stupid. I can't barely see the player where I am sitting because it's so thin like 2 inches in height.

Anyway, I am looking at older blu-ray players that are at least 4 inches or higher in height.

From what I can understand, the DTS-HD Master Audio is an option when you buy a blu-ray disc movie correct? When you pop in the disc with the DTS-HD Master Audio, you need to select that option on the disc menu selection right? Kind of like player a DTS-ES sound format on a regular DVD movie.

Bob, excellent information about how to use a blu-ray player since I have never own one. You mention about pressing the Audio magic button on the remote, are you talking about the remote of the blu-ray player or the receiver remote?

Bob, never mind. I figured it out. The Audio button you are talking about is the remote from the blu-ray player and NOT the receiver.

I have the Onkyo 905 receiver and the Sony BDP-S5000 (their top line unit). Most Blu Ray DVDs do NOT have the DTS-HD Master Audio (especially the older ones, and even most of the new ones--I do not know why, but suspect its a cost issue). The 905 "does it all," and very well, I might add.

I just spent 12 hours comparing a newly purchased Halcro SSP-200 preamp with my Onkyo 905 with same components, cabels, etc. The Onkyo wins--period! The Halcro does not decode DTS-HD Master Audio, but the Sony does using the analog bypass through the Halcro---Onkyo Wins!

This may start a new thread---but, how can a $12,000 preamp rated in the top 5 consistently, be bested by a $1,400 integrated? Bass / highs / staging / separation / clarity

My system consists of---B&W 800n's fronts / 802n's sides / HTM3s center / M&K 150s rears / Furman Ref 15 / 2 Lexicon 501 Monos / Sunfire 7 CH 200 WPC amp / Transparent Ultra cabeling / Velodyne DD-18 Sub