Why isn't there an iLINK to HDMI converter?

[Urotdukidoji]

Hello everyone.
I have a Pioneer DV868 AVI player, which, although I also have a Sony UBP-X800, I keep for playing SACD discs. I used to have a Pioneer receiver with analog multichannel inputs, and the dv 868 acted as both a source and DAC. I upgraded my receiver to a Denon X3800H and lost the analog multichannel inputs. The DV868 has an iLINK audio-only output capable of transmitting multichannel SACD and LPCM.
I thought an iLINK to HDMI converter would be easy to find, but it seems they don't exist... at least I can't find one.
Do you know of any converter or way to make one, or is it simply not possible? Thanks in advance for your time

 

[kyuu]

The Pioneer DV868 appears to have an HDMI out. I must be missing something? Why don't you use that to connect it to the AVR?

 

[Urotdukidoji]

The Pioneer DV868 appears to have an HDMI out. I must be missing something? Why don't you use that to connect it to the AVR?

I forgot to mention, HDMI out is pcm stereo only and supports Dolby Digital and DTS bitstream

 

[Rick63]

Those proprietary Pioneer iLINK and Denon's Denon link connections are absolete now, and I'm not aware of any iLink to HDMI converters.

Any reason why you don't just use the UBP-X800 for SACD and/or DVD-Audio disc playback through HDMI to the X3800H?

That is assuming the X3800H has DSD via HDMI capability? I know that previous Denon 3XXX models did, I sure hope they didn't removed that feature.

*Edit - A quick search found that the X3800H does indeed accept and playback multichannel DSD via HDMI. That is what I'd do since you have the capability with the gear you own without having to spend any more money.

Other than that and if you are dead set on using the Pioneer for some reason, your only other option is to ditch the X3800H for an AVR with multichannel analog ins.

 

[voodooless]

I forgot to mention, HDMI out is pcm stereo only and supports Dolby Digital and DTS bitstream

Are you sure? The manual implies otherwise.

 

[Rick63]

Are you sure? The manual implies otherwise.

Are you talking about the manual for the Pioneer DV868 AVI, because I just looked at it's manual online and it only states that it outputs SACD via analog or iLINK as far as I could see?

I also found this and a couple of other forum threads that stated the same.

https://www.avforums.com/threads/pioneer-868-dvd-player-can-it-play-multi-channel-sacd-and-dvd-a-over-hdmi.939893/

 

[voodooless]

Are you talking about the manual for the Pioneer DV868 AVI, because I just looked at it's manual online and it only states that it outputs SACD via analog or iLINK?

I also found this and a couple of other forum threads that stayed the same.

https://www.avforums.com/threads/pioneer-868-dvd-player-can-it-play-multi-channel-sacd-and-dvd-a-over-hdmi.939893/

No, I’m talking about the Sony. Why not just use that?

But also the Pioneer support bitstream via HDMI, except for DVD-audio and SACD:

So yeah, just use the Sony for SACD.

 

[Rick63]

And If I remember correctly the Denon universal disc players with their proprietary Denon Link were the same way.

 

[Rick63]

No, I’m talking about the Sony. Why not just use that?

That is what I questioned in my post directly before yours.

The only reason I can think of why he would want to use the Pioneer over the Sony would be to have a display on the front panel to show the time on the disc since the Sony lacks one??

 

[Urotdukidoji]

Thanks for your replies.
The Pioneer is all about the front screen; just play and that's it, that's the only reason. I think I've had it for 20 years, maybe another 20 for playing CDs...

 

[Urotdukidoji]

Why did iLink become obsolete and USB become the standard?

 

[voodooless]

Why did iLink become obsolete and USB become the standard?

Mostly due to the licensing model and lower component cost, simpler wiring.