http://www.avforums.com/forums/ Discussing AV processors and Power Amplifiers at the AV Forums en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:45:34 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.avforums.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.avforums.com/forums/ http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1130168-sound-breaking-up.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:13:21 GMT Hi,

I'm having problems with my 'onboard' sound.
When I'm listening to net radio, or iTunes I get a short break up of sound as the processor does any work. So when loading a webpage sound will break up momentarily, or whilst loading a program, or rendering video with editing software. I'm guessing that this is because of onboard sound and no separate soundcard???
I'm running an Intel quad core so I would have thought that it could handle anything. Also, this has only started happening in the last couple of weeks which confuses me even more.
All help , suggestions or advice gladly accepted.

I have a list of loaded software if this helps... http://andybrooks.co.uk/meshinstalled.html

Andy Brooks ]]> Andy brooks http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1130168-sound-breaking-up.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1129869-optical-rca-audio-converters.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:20:11 GMT Hi I have jsut brought an LG 42LH4000 TV but i am having trouble connecting this to my Bose Cinemate system. The TV only has an optical audio out connection and the Bose only has RCA left and right connection. I have found this converter but am unsure if it will work. Stereo RCA to SPDIF... Hi

I have jsut brought an LG 42LH4000 TV but i am having trouble connecting this to my Bose Cinemate system. The TV only has an optical audio out connection and the Bose only has RCA left and right connection. I have found this converter but am unsure if it will work.

Stereo RCA to SPDIF Digital Coaxial and Toslink Audio Converter - StarTech.com

If anyone can help knows of any other device that can perform this function it would be great. ]]> richie2285 http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1129869-optical-rca-audio-converters.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1129197-what-degrades-music-more-avp-speaker-switch.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:07:53 GMT Firstly apologies for the poorly thought out title, and secondly apologies if it seems like I ask the same question again and again in different ways.

Here is what I'm thinking. I'd like to buy a dedicated up to date pro soon. I also want REALLY good stereo music and see two options.

1) Spend a lot of money on something like the Arcam 888, ie £4k, which has a good rep with music.

Or something that's occurred to me

2) Buy an Onkyo 886 (or similar) for £1500, and an extra 2ch quad amp (£700) and a good quality speaker switch (QED £100)

When I want to watch films, its the Onkyo + quad poweramps. When I want to listen to music, I bypass the AVP all together and use the speaker switch to allow the CDP and extra Quad poweramp to do the business.

Like this, for music, I have no AVP 'corrupting' my stereo/cd signal. It will also cost £1700 less than high end avp option.

So the question is this; will the speaker switch corrupt my stereo signal less than an avp, including a high end one like the Arcam?

Thanks ]]> indus http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1129197-what-degrades-music-more-avp-speaker-switch.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1128986-internal-vs-external-test-tones.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:03:30 GMT As the title suggests, i would like to know what you guys are using. Currently I have a BD player going into my 886 processor via HDMI bitstream. Level matching etc was done via the 886 internal test tones. I also have a HTPC with BD playback. This is connected to the 886 external inputs via... As the title suggests, i would like to know what you guys are using.

Currently I have a BD player going into my 886 processor via HDMI bitstream. Level matching etc was done via the 886 internal test tones.

I also have a HTPC with BD playback. This is connected to the 886 external inputs via 6 analogue jacks for a 5.1 set up. The pc has the ability to set distances and levels. So i suppose my 886 just becomes a big volume control when using the HTPC as all audio decoding has already been done within the pc.

I used just leave the HTPC and all settings in the htpc were left alone. Letting the 886 just act as a volume control. However, i recently used the htpc ability to set distances and then used DVE Essentials BD in the HTPC to then set the speaker levels and measured all speakers to 75db. The 886 settings have not been touched as i am not sure if the level matching, distance settings and speaker crossover settings also apply to the 886 external inputs- i am guessing they do not apply. The system sounds very good tbh.

So my question to you guys who maybe have a BD player with internal decoding via analogue or a HTPC going into a processor external inputs, how have you set this up and what results have been achieved? ]]> Apone http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1128986-internal-vs-external-test-tones.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1127952-computer-usb-spdif-external-dac-does-usb-component-quality-even-matter.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:51:12 GMT Hey everyone,

I want to get sound from my computer to my Meridian 568.1 in pure digital form, but the computer doesn't have an optical or coax digital output. So I'm looking at a USB to SPDIF converter, but I'm not sure how much I should spend here. Questions:

1. I don't need a DAC at all on the USB converter, correct? So if I find some cheap $15 USB sound card with an optical or coax digital, and output that straight into the Meridian, is that sufficient for optimum quality? Is there a difference between the worst optical output on a computer, and the optical output on a $1000 sound card?

3. Some USB to digital converters output at 24 bit, 192khz - would the 568.1 be able to take that signal? What would happen with it exactly, since as I understand it the 568.1 can only work with 96khz signals? Am I losing the benefits of the 568's anti-jitter and other goodies by feeding it a signal already upconverted to that level? If so, I assume I would be better off just feeding it a straight up 44.1 or 48khz signal?

Here are three options I've seen:

1. Musiland 01 USD ($70)

2. USB to coax with Burr-Brown PCM2902E This one really confuses me - it's just a straight up USB to SPDIF converter - so why is the Burr-Brown PCM2902E necessary? (I assume this is a DAC?) The computer is already outputting information in digital form, no?

This one puts out sound at 44.1/48khz so I think it might be better for my slightly antiquated 568. And it's $40.

3. A cheap "AudiMAX T1 USB" for $12USD: Audimax T1

The latter is in Chinese but it's essential a USB dongle with an optical and normal headphones output.

Thanks so much for helping me clear this up!! ]]> drvelocity http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1127952-computer-usb-spdif-external-dac-does-usb-component-quality-even-matter.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1127525-arcam-av9-p7.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:15:53 GMT I am contemplating the Arcam AV500 although the price is still somewhat on the high side. I would still like a high end Arcam setup and older kit maybe an option for me. Therefore to cover all bases can anyone give me an idea of when the av9/p7 first came out and what price I should be paying for... I am contemplating the Arcam AV500 although the price is still somewhat on the high side. I would still like a high end Arcam setup and older kit maybe an option for me. Therefore to cover all bases can anyone give me an idea of when the av9/p7 first came out and what price I should be paying for these 2nd hand. I would be reluctant to pay a high price for something that was due to give up the ghost however I am aware that the build quality over the arcam range is usally bomb proof.

Also, just out of curosity has anyone compared the AV9/p7 with the new AVR600 for outright s.q and dynamic range? ]]> HD Elvis http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1127525-arcam-av9-p7.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1127474-how-default-rotel-rsp-1068-2ch.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:04:11 GMT Hello, This is my first post on this forum and I wanted to firstly apologise that its one that is asking for help :) I have an LG TV, My Xbox, DVD player and sky box all plug into my TV. I have then connected the TV to my Rotel via Optical this translates to Video 4 on the processor. The... Hello,
This is my first post on this forum and I wanted to firstly apologise that its one that is asking for help :)

I have an LG TV, My Xbox, DVD player and sky box all plug into my TV. I have then connected the TV to my Rotel via Optical this translates to Video 4 on the processor.

The problem is I only have two speakers - I have connected my Rotel to my amp using the two Front R and Front L connectors. When I press the 2ch button on the front of my RSP-1068 it sounds perfect on my system. The problem is as soon as I change the channel or the input on my TV the processor defaults back to Dolby and I have to press 2CH again.

Is there a way of setting this as the default so I don’t have to press it every time I do something on my TV?

I tried to look through the menu but to be honest I can’t even get that to appear. I have clicked menu on my remote but nothing appears on the Rotel and it just says empty on the screen of the remote?

I’m pretty new to this and I know my setup isn’t utilising the Rotel to its full capacity but this is just a temporary setup until I have enough money to get all of my equipment sorted.

Any help would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks :) ]]> mr_c_2010 http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1127474-how-default-rotel-rsp-1068-2ch.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1126790-class-d-digital-amplification.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:54:32 GMT Hi.............I am a newbie here , so please go careful on me .

1) What is the best multi channel class "D " Digital amp out there right now ?

2) Do Sony still do digital amplification ? if not what was the last one of their top of their line ?

Regards Barry ]]> Detroyt http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1126790-class-d-digital-amplification.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1125520-ht-improvement-tips-separate-amp.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:49:50 GMT I'm looking to improve my HT setup and am thinking of adding a multi-channel Power Amp. Currently, I have a Denon 3808 driving B&W 683s in the front, 684's in the back, an HTM61 centre and a PV-1 SW.

I haven't seen an AVR above mine that I could justify the expense for, so I am thinking of breaking out the Amp function and keeping the 3808 for all the processing goodies. Does this make sense? Anyway...am thinking of adding something like a Rotel 1075 or an Emotiva XPA-5.

Any advice from the forum would be appreciated...critical as well;-). I still have a lot to learn...

Cheers,
Russell ]]> sublimation http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1125520-ht-improvement-tips-separate-amp.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1125336-what-exactly-function-dedicated-separate-av-processor.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:17:26 GMT Hi guys, Am thinking about getting surround sound for my Pioneer LX5090 Kuro, and am just starting to learn a little bit about the world of AVRs etc, mainly due to the kind and helpful people in this forum. So far, as I understand it, an AVR will be your all in one solution for processing... Hi guys,

Am thinking about getting surround sound for my Pioneer LX5090 Kuro, and am just starting to learn a little bit about the world of AVRs etc, mainly due to the kind and helpful people in this forum.

So far, as I understand it, an AVR will be your all in one solution for processing (not quite sure exactly what that entails) and amplification, and includes a radio tuner to boot.

An AV amplifier seems to be exactly the same as an AVR, minus the radio tuner (which I can probably live without).

However, I've now learnt that you can go the "separates" route, where you get a separate AV processor and a separate AV power amp.

So my question is, what exactly is the function of an AV processor?

Does the AV power amplifier deal with audio side of things?

And is the AV Processor dedicated to video processing?

Or is the AV processor also dedicated to audio, like a pre-amp in HiFi?

Either way, can I expect an AV Processor to increase picture quality across the board?

Will it improve the picture from my native 1080p Blu-Ray player?

Will it improve the picture quality from TV broadcasts (both SD and HD)?

Will it improve the picture from a DVD player? i.e. will a dedicated AV Processor upsample DVDs to 1080p, to a higher quality than the upsampling in a DVD player? Some people say upsampling is best left to the TV, others say it's best done by the DVD player, and consensus seems to be an AVR is not so good for upsampling... But what about a dedicated AV Processor?

If an AV Processor is all about picture quality, not sound quality, I would hope it does have a significant improvement in picture quality, considering some of these things cos £1k, some even a lot more!

It's kinda hard to believe picture quality could be so much better, because the Blu-Ray picture on my Pioneer - purchased from Tony Lazzerini and his brilliant shop TLC Broadcast (he's a member here on the forums) - even with Blu-Ray from a PS3, the picture is just sensational.

But if an AV processor (or even an integrated AV amplifier) can significantly improve SD television, I'd be very interested. Let's face it, most TV is still SD, so if an AV Processor can improve the quality of SD broadcasts, I would be very, very interested.

You hear about some 1080p TVs being much better for SD than others, but if an AV processor can make that redundant, and do all the improvement in SD picture quality by itself, I'd be very interested...

Thanks again for any input guys,

Keyser ]]> keysersoze123 http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1125336-what-exactly-function-dedicated-separate-av-processor.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1124898-what-options-do-i-have-available.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:10:50 GMT Looking for some advice on getting a surround sound system set up.

I wouldn't say I am a noob but I need to know what options are available to me.

The set-up I have is

42 inch LCD TV with 1 digital optical output
PS3 - networked
1 TB NAS with all my films on it which stream through my PS3
SKY+HD full package

As I am sure you guys will know each the PS3 and the sky box also have digital optical outputs and the PS3 is a bluray DVD player.

Now I want to set up a dolby home cinema system, but because I already have a bluray player do not wish to have to buy a seperate bluray player to connect the home cinema system up to.

Is the only option then to buy a seperate amplifier and attach speakers to this.. which is really expensive.. or is there any other options available to me?

Thanks
Mark ]]> MarkTheSpark http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1124898-what-options-do-i-have-available.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1124403-bitstream-vs-pcm.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:36:44 GMT The debate on which is best has raged for as long as HD formats, and Ive yet to see a definitive answer as to which is best or which should be used. Ive not been able to offer any explanation to that question myself either, until just now. I noticed on my AVR that while using the PS3, which is... The debate on which is best has raged for as long as HD formats, and Ive yet to see a definitive answer as to which is best or which should be used. Ive not been able to offer any explanation to that question myself either, until just now.

I noticed on my AVR that while using the PS3, which is restricted to PCM only, this seems to remove Audyssey from functioning. So my question is, can Audyssey be used with LPCM stream from sources or not, and if not (as it seems to me) doesnt this tip the balance in favour of using bitstream if your equipment is high end enough over your source.

As far as I can determine, this now seems to be the only thing separating the two methods. Any thoughts? ]]> Moonfly http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1124403-bitstream-vs-pcm.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1124261-meridian-568-problem.html Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:30:19 GMT Hi I have a Meridian 568 which has developed a problem, it says ZZZZZ in the display and produces no sound at all I have unplugged it and turned it on again with no effect...can anyone suggest what else I can try ??? Thanks Andy Hi
I have a Meridian 568 which has developed a problem, it says ZZZZZ in the display and produces no sound at all I have unplugged it and turned it on again with no effect...can anyone suggest what else I can try ???
Thanks
Andy ]]> Andreas oakes http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1124261-meridian-568-problem.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1123148-am-i-using-two-preamps.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:51:09 GMT Hello. Whilst talking about something else on another forum somebody pointed out that I am using two preamps and that 'is not recommended' as he put it. Is that true?

I have the fixed analogue output from my Quad CD player (that has built in preamp) going into the analogue input marked 'CD' on my Onkyo 875. I then listen to 2 ch music in the 'pure direct/audio' of the Onkyo, with the volume adjusted via the Onkyo.

Thanks ]]> indus http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1123148-am-i-using-two-preamps.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1122914-resonance-potentiometer-warning-manual-rodec-sherman-restyler.html Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:42:25 GMT Hi, I have a Restyler from Rodec / Sherman, and in the manual I read this message at the description of the knob 'Resonance Potentiometer'
ATTENTION: This oscillation can damage speaker systems or human hearing. So please be careful by using this control.

What for is this warning? why would they put it on the knob when it destroys stuff? or is this something like 'warning don't turn up too high, or you might kill your ears/speakers. ]]> mixmeister http://www.avforums.com/forums/audio-processors-power-amps/1122914-resonance-potentiometer-warning-manual-rodec-sherman-restyler.html