[masseygc]

Anyone tried feeding blu-ray HD audio formats dts re-encoded into a Cyrus AV8. Standards support would say it works but I'd like to know if anyone has tried it with this old dvd era processor and how it went - audio quality, lip sync, bass (lack of management etc.). I have the av8 but have not yet chosen a HD source

Thanks

[Jamie]

Not the same kit but I've just read with interest a thread on the Arcam Forum.

One Owner had a BD player capable of analogue out and DTS-Recode. So when connected via analogues he was getting the Tru-HD and DTS-MA but when connected via optical he was getting reencoded 1.5Mb DTS using the decoder and DACS in his Arcam Amp. In this case a preference was expressed for optical and DTS option over HD decoded by the player.

If you feed your Cyrus a re-encoded DTS feed (or even just plain DTS-Core on DTS-MA discs) your cyrus would be dealing with everything speaker setup related and bass management, just like using a standard DVD player via digital.

The only time the player does this work (often poorly with limited options) is if using the player to decode and output as a 5.1 or 7.1 over analogues

Its this thread and post 3 is experiences of the above mentioned user

http://www.avforums.com/forums/arcam...iguration.html

[Jamie]

Just a few points to make regarding definitions to make sure we're talking about the same things here.

DTS-Reencode takes the uncompressed HD soundtrack, reencodes it to full rate rate 1.5Mb/s DTS and outputs via the legacy digital connections. All Bass management etc is taken care of by your Amp/processer. This process is only used for DD Tru-HD and uncompressed PCM soundtracks. DTS-MA sound tracks already include a full rate DTS core track as part of the soundtrack.
So there will be no issues with speaker distances Bass Management etc. Lip Sync is normally caused by the display laggin g behind slightly due to video processing so if this process of reencoding does take slightly longer then I'd have thought if anything lip-sync might even be improved.

The other option for older amps processers is to have the HD sound tracks decoded on the player and output via analogue 5.1 or 7.1. In this situation the player handles everything including speaker distances and Bass Management and this is where a lot of analogue equipped players fall down in not offering sophisticated enough options and even I beleive in some cases fixed sub crossovers (or a limited range of adjustments)

Personally I am currently using a PS3 via optical. The PS3 doesn't offer the re-encode feature but as all of my discs have DTS-MA with the Core DTS track its not needed anyway. Sound from Blu-ray is an appreciable upgrade over DVD to my ears. Although not a fair test by any means (My Arcam cost me 150 quid as its an elderly model but was originally way more than that) I have borrowed briefly a mates Onkyo for a few nights (I think it was an 805 from memory) I was very pleased to go back to my antique and much preferred the older formats on my amp over the newer ones on my mates amp (in my room with my speakers)

[masseygc]

Thank you for your advice

I have not always been an optical fan on prior equipment owned (vs Cu) but this DTS digital input option seems the least disruptive keeping Sky, DVD sources etc into Cyrus processor before a single set of pre-out analogue connections into an existing integrated 2-ch integrated + a 3-ch power amp for the Center+Rears.

System is a bit of a mongrel of UK brands and 2nd hand pieces from Cyrus/Myryad/Proac/Mission/Linn but I like it.

An analogue out option from BD would disable sound for other A/V sources in my current setup or require analogue switches or replugging. Not enough inputs for more analogue feeds.

I have been broadly happy with the DTS performance from DVD on the Cyrus processor though its bass management is basic and there are threads on this re DTS. Just as well the subs are fairly adjustable.

I am fishing for experiences good or bad with the AV8 and particular blu-ray players - the cyrus can sulk and "automute" if there's something it doesn't like about an inbound digital signal.