[Sunshinewelly]

which of these units is the best one to get ,

i want one to power the goldring ns1000 which are now £50 on play.

i hear these headphones are great with the JVC SU-DH1 - would they be as good with the astro

[Spinning Plates]

Which is more important to you?

1. The independently mixed in voice chat of the MixAmp

2. Watching movies that only have a DTS track (norty mkv files) plus watching them using the DH1 setting (best setting for movies).

[Sunshinewelly]

i want them for a combination of gaming and also movies

[Spinning Plates]

If you want them for equally for games and movies then the SU-DH1 is the best all rounder.

Speaking of which I may have one for sale if your interested mate.

[edworthy13]

Originally Posted by Spinning Plates

If you want them for equally for games and movies then the SU-DH1 is the best all rounder.

Speaking of which I may have one for sale if your interested mate.

Any selling should be done in the classified section not here.

[Sunshinewelly]

just done a bit of research and despite the astro not being DTS compatible i understand that the astro sounds better as it has a newer DH2 chip.

just placed an order in for the astro

[24 P]

Smart move, I have the JVC, barely had 2 hrs use, its worthless..

[acdspit00]

Originally Posted by 24 P

Smart move, I have the JVC, barely had 2 hrs use, its worthless..

What do you mean by its worthless?

[24 P]

Well it is not worth the 60 quid i paid for it, it does not do what i thought it would...
If anything, it makes the sound worse.
Yes there are other people with different opinions on here, but I guarantee you, i know what i am talking about, i have 4 different solutions..
I own the Tritton ax pro, work fine just uncomfortable, own Sen HD 600, sound brilliant but only on 2 channel, HD 25 ( I prefer the 600s) and the JVC amp..
The JVC does not convey any surround sound what so ever, it sounds like u are in the shower, I have used it 4 2 hrs to try and get something useful from it and it failed miserably..

[jalyst]

Has anyone had good experiences with both the Jap version of the SU-DH1 (has proper DC-in & DTS)
AND the Mixamp?

What do you like/dislike about both?

Thanks!

[jalyst]

I've been investigating in-depth which of these two DH adapters I should get (may buy from diff retailers)
AudioCubes.com - JVC SU-DH1 Surround Headphone Adapter - SU-DH1 -
Astro Gaming | Professional Gaming Equipment | MixAmp™

And I've just had an epiphany....
Shouldn't a HTPC w/a decent card & the right software be able to emulate "all" the functions of these devices?
And do it with more flexibility and better quality to boot?!

Sure they can still be useful where one doesn't have easy access to such a machine....
But in a room where one already has a HTPC running Windows (ytd Linux's capabilities in this area) they're entirely redundant.

Wouldn't you agree?

[24 P]

I almost bought the JVC from AC, and its crap trust me..
I have the Jap version, well it comes in a Jap box with Jap instructions Yadda yadda..

A HTPC with a good Audio card will beat hands down the mixamp and JVC for movie watching etc...
Gaming is entirely up to the Audiocard...
Remember, the JVCs tech is old, but software you run on ur lappie or HTPC is always upgradable, and in essence is what the JVC and mixamp try to emulate..
Whether you use hardware or software to get your desired result, what is important is how old is that tech you are using???
hence why the JVC is crap...
I can't say anything about the Mixamp as I have not used 1, this is more for gamers who use Xbox 360 or PS3 to get 5.1 psuedo through stereo cans...
Software emulation does the same thing on a pc...
I would do more research before dropping any pennies on anything..
I am not biased in any form or manner, I just try and use what is best, and currently I use my Sen HD 600s through stereo, works fine....

[jalyst]

Oh I've no doubt there's no comparison for content already on my HTPC.
The only thing I'm not sure about is decoding Dolby via digital-in...

For e.g. when I want to send Wii, PS3, or XB360 digital audio to the digital-in of my Essence ST.*
This user seems to think I'll have issues emulating that functionality of the mixamp due to DRM
What gaming headphones to buy? - Page 197 - AVS Forum

*I may use toslink optical splitter to easily switch between the three sources.

[24 P]

I have yet to use a tos link into the pc from either 360 or PS3, it would be a nightmare setting it up and I don't know if I could use the on board processing to emulate a pseudo 5.1.
I have yet to see any software which allows you to emulate 5.1 into stereo for the purpose of 360 or PS3, but with DVD or Blu ray playback you do have the option through the playback software to choose Dolby headphone...
I have done a lot more research than yourself regarding this matter, and did it about 7 months ago...
There is no easy fix...

As for your query on the cans, the sen 595s are fine...
But you are trying to achieve too much with having a HTPC do all the work, you need 1 or the other and both do not do both brilliant..
They do 1 or other good...
hence my, no easy fix statement...

[jalyst]

I didn't ask about headphones did I?

What do you mean by: "you need 1 or the other & both do not do both brilliant"?
What is this "1 or the other" you're referring to?

Cheers

[24 P]

I am posting another explanation.

I have already tried every avenue, even looking for Dolby headphone software, which I could not find, to allow me to do what you are trying to do.

I even used the TMT Total Media Theatre software to get a Dolby Headphone output for Blu Ray playback, and to my astonishment, I thought I had ruined my cans.
I had some extremely bad distortion through my left ear, thought I had blown the left driver.
So I did some testing, played back the same spot where I had heard the distortion, and same results.
Played back in Stereo and no distortion!!!
So even software is not perfect...

Gaming on the JVC was appalling, hence why I do not use it.
Yes it won't power the HD 600's but I own also some HD 25s, and the are easy to power.
Bad results.
I still ran the JVC through my headphone amp, ( a Hybrid Valve SS) and the effect was the worse I had heard ever...

So hence why i just game through stereo, re eqed through a Graphic eqalizer.
Gives me best results...

Hope this clarifies somes of your Q's

[24 P]

Originally Posted by jalyst

I didn't ask about headphones did I?

What do you mean by: "you need 1 or the other & both do not do both brilliant"?
What is this "1 or the other" you're referring to?

Cheers

I did see that you mentioned earlier you had or were looking at Senn 595s? <---- must be elsewhere I read, I am sure it was here, Oh well..

The 1 or the other, I mean, you either get a dedicated piece of hardware for gaming, ie mixamp, from posts I have read, give good results, but not good for movies.
And by the other I mean, using a pc with software emulation to give you a Dolbyheadphone listening experience, for results I have posted above..

[jalyst]

Nope no query about headphones, but thanks for trying to be helpful anyway.

From what I've read here the SU-DH1 seems to be slightly better for movies & possibly even games if you don't need voice comms.

So long as one doesn't get a dud unit like the one you've received. (QC sounds little sketchy)

But I'm not interested in either yet...
I will continue to look for a PC-based solution that will emulate all functionality of both.
And be superior in terms of pure SQ...

[24 P]

I don't have a DUD unit, this is what the unit does.
It takes any signal I put into it, either Dolby or DTS, and does a bad job of it, simple.

I have 4 different ways of testing...
5.1 speakers, best way.
Tritton Cans, 4 drivers per ear with onboard Dobly decoder via either digital or analog.
JVC decoder through stereo cans, and last but not least:
Stereo.

Having read and re-read and done the proper research on here and many other forums, you can not simply reproduce a 5.1 signal into a pseudo stereo environment.
Just doesn't work, and I have done all the testing to be able to hear the results.
Say what you want about the JVC re its a dud, but trust me, this is what it sounds like...
1 other option is to actually buy an Av receiver with DH already in it.
This would allow you to have all your optic, or coax devices hooked up to the amp and act as a switcher too.
I have explored this avenue, and should have taken this path...
This is my next upgrade...
This will allow me to game or watch movies with out being restricted on source...

[jalyst]

Hmm seen plenty of others say both work fine for them...
But most tend to use them in gaming, where clarity of character voice isn't as critical.

Because apparently HRTF algorithms such as DH can mess-up that part of the stream notably
when trying to simulate multi-directional audio.

It takes any signal I put into it, either Dolby or DTS, and does a bad job of it

But DTS is Dolby....

How come you say this:

Having read and re-read and done the proper research on here and many other forums, you can not simply reproduce a 5.1 signal into a pseudo stereo environment.

But then this?:

1 other option is to actually buy an Av receiver with DH already in it.

Anyway I've no interest in either until I'm 100% certain that multi-channel PCM-in isn't possible.
If you can point to info which explains why, then I'll stop wasting my time.

Thanks for trying to help.

[24 P]

Originally Posted by jalyst

But DTS is Dolby....

No Dolby is Dolby and DTS is DTS.
You will find for home purposes, and I am talking about standard gaming or DVD, not Blu ray, that DTS is superior to Dolby.
It has a higher bit rate, so if you game on a PS3, the advantages would be a better gaming sound, or watch DVD movies with DTS enabled soundtracks, a cleaning sound source.

With regards to why I mentioned AV amps, you will find that the tech was born there, not vice versa.
So who better to offer you an all in 1 tailored solution??
I have also seen the better AV amps allowing you to actually software control the delay, size of room etc.
Its very limited on both the other portable devices.
Being able to use it as an optic switcher as well helps.
I should know, I have an optic switcher, and it drives me insane.

Obviously this could be out of your budget, but if you are looking to upgrade and maximise your path choices, this is not a bad idea, as you will find that obviously it can power speakers as well, most likely decode a lot of other software that the other 2 don't offer, and most likely act as a video switcher too.

I made the mistake of buying the JVC and also Tritton AX Pro, and they are not failures, but they do not give the desired results required...
I am stuck with them now, selling is not an option, I would not get my money back for them...

So, to reiterate, an AV amp will do both what a PC audio card can do and also what the JVC & mixamp can do.

I am only elaborating on this as this is most likely what I will end up doing, but at this point in time, its not too important to me...

Hope this has helped...



EDIT: This is where I got confused.... Official Dolby Headphone Thread

Some one else asking about HD 595's

[jalyst]

I agree that an AVR or 'separates' is the way I'll prolly have to go LT...

Particularly considering that all the latest Dolby/DTS tech usually originates there.
Long before it migrates to PC....

As I said I'll try for a solution to MC PCM-in, if I find anything I'll let you know.

Thanks.

[jalyst]

I've researched further and it is indeed possible to get almost all the functionality of these devices (at better quality) except that dolby/dts digital-in decoding may not possible with modern cards in Win7.

Even with the rerouting capabilities of AC3 one may have to use a 2nd older decoding capable card (audigy ds etc) just for that... Still investigating, will post further detail when/if I find it...

[Sunshinewelly]

well if you want another input from someone who owns an astro set up then in my experience the astro with a decent set of headphones does not simply emulate a 5.1 effect - it gives you one.

When i game with my astro and my AD900 i am certainly hearing a full surround experience.

sounds which should sound as if they are coming from the rear channels certainly sound as if they are coming from the rear through the headphones.

i would go as far as saying that the whole experience is on a par with my home cinema set up (onkyo 705 receiver, tannoy T1 floor standers and rears, epos sub).

the only difference is the bass is much better through my cinema set up than the headphones. as far as sound quaility is concerned its around the same.

now i have never heard the JVC but from my experience of the astro it is utterly convincing

[jalyst]

Thanks for offering your experiences...

Still investigating AC3 filter as an alternative.
If it's not suitable I'll look at a 2nd, older, SPDIF-in DTS/Dolby decode capable card.
If it's not possible in Win7 then I'll reconsider both of these devices.

[BISHI]

Originally Posted by jalyst

Has anyone had good experiences with both the Jap version of the SU-DH1 (has proper DC-in & DTS)
AND the Mixamp?

What do you like/dislike about both?

Thanks!

I imported the Japanese version from Japan ( Cost me nearly £80 with import tax as I couldn't find one in the UK anywhere). It works reasonably well but was no where near as good as the virtual surround headphone chip on my old yamaha DSPAX amp. Looking to upgrade to the X41 to play battlefield with so i'm selling mine in the electrical classified section.

[jalyst]

The yamaha's use "silent cinema" right?
An entirely different HRTF implimenation.
What does the X41 use?

[BISHI]

Yep, yamaha silent cinema is the best headphone surround sound I have ever heard. I've had the tritton 5.1 , various 'virtual' headphones and the JVC and the Yamaha blew them all out of the water. Gaming was superb and movies were better through the headphones than through the 5.1 system.
Don't know much about the x41 but I just need a mic for battlefield and TBH wireless is an incredibly tempting option.....

[jalyst]

do you know if they ever made their Silent Cinema HRTF algortihm available in software for the PC?
As per Dolby Headphones etc.

[BISHI]

Wouldn't know... I guess if Yamaha make a decent soundcard then it would include silent cinema.