 
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
|
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
Hi everyone.
I'm a bit of a DIY nut, and while I've always just built stereo tube or mosfet amps, I'm going to tackle a 5.1 channel amp this time. I like the way my homebuilt monsters sound, and I really don't need all the bells and whistles on a receiver as I already have a tuner and all the other junk I need. What I could really benefit from is your suggestions on what brands/models of surround sound processors I should be considering to decode the digital surround information to feed to my six different channels in my soon to be built preamp or power amplifier? Also, before I build these puppies, is there anything special I need to consider in terms of power requirement differences between the channels, etc...?
Are there any reasonably priced units out there that do everything (Dolby Digital, DTS, Pro Logic II, kitchen sink), or am I just smoking the peacepipe a bit too often? I've heard of a few brand names such as Rotel, Outlaw, and Meridian, as well as the old Yamaha and Onkyo, Denon names, but I don't know anything about their quality or what's important to look for in a decoder.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Follow Ups:
I have been looking for something similar to what you are looking for, if I understand your post. As far as I can tell, the options are pretty limited. The options I am aware of are:
1. Buy an HT receiver and just don't use the amps2. Buy a HT pre/pro - most options here are rather expensive.
3. When I posted a similar questions, mikebake suggested this:
http://store.klipsch.com/details.asp?prodID=8
It just might do what you need. You can download the instructions for the unit and read through them. This unit has provisions for setting levels of the channels to account for amp/speaker spl variations. I have no idea if it is a good product, but it certainly is priced right. Keep in mind it has no video capability. Personally, I consider this a plus as it keeps the video signal (a potential noise source) away from the audio section. Typically, your video source can do the video switching anyway.
Just my 2c. Hope it helps!
Rick
Yes!
That is exactly the sort of device I've been looking for!
It does everything I need (decode surround signals of all types), and nothing I don't need (amplify, tune in radio, eq, phono preamp etc...).
It would be perfect if not for the lack of Pro Logic II. But for the price, I would be able to overlook it in a big way.
Thank you so much for the heads up on this unit, Rick. I'm surprised that this sort of solution isn't more popular. I guess the market is more geared toward all in one solutions except for the high end. But if I don't find anything better (anyone?) then this is the unit.By the way everyone, I'd still like to hear from you if you have any similar suggestions that have Pro Logic II.
-Erik.
Is this a stand alone unit? In the help/questions section it seemed as if it needs to be connected to some kind of central unit as a coordinated system that they offer. I just looked quickly and may have missed something here. Good luck.
It's been working fine. Has some clunk noise when first receiving new program signal, but other than that, it's fine.
I would suggest looking for a used Technics SH-AC500. It is only a processor/preamp that does DTS and DD. You can bypass the volume control if you have a 5 channel preamp. I use it as an add on to my stereo for movies. Feel free to email me if you have questions.
I also use the Technics SH500 for DD 5.1 and DTS 5.1 movies.I use a stereo preamp as my main control center for my Music/HT system and just feed the processor's Main L&R analog outputs to the stereo preamp's L&R AUX-IN.
This way I can listen to music from CD and turntable inputs on the stereo preamp and only turn on the SH500 processor for DD/DTS movies.
does this mean you have another amplifier for the read and center channels outputted from the AC500?
If you have the means. Look into the Anthem AVM-20 or AVM-2. They are part of Sonic Frontiers. As far as features make sure it has the usual DD, DTS, and analog pass through (a must for DVD Audio or SACD).
The AVM-20 has the most features for the price, 3k, even has balanced outs. The AVM-2 can be had for less but does not have as many video features and not balanced out and the DACS are not as good as the AVM-20. Just depends on how much you can spend. Antique electronics has a good deal on the AVM-2.
Good luck.
Thanks for the suggestions, but I'm afraid that $3,000 is way out of my range. That's kind of the reason I started building my own amps. I was hoping there was a Yamaha or some other lower end processor that would decode into 5.1 for the same range of prices as some of the lower end receivers out there (Onkyo TX-SR500 is $300 or so).
I was hoping that without the amplifier sections, I might be able to find something with the same Surround Sound functions for a similar price?
Thanks,
Erik.
There is a rotel model for around $1k, I don't know if it has analog pass through. Audiogon.com and audioreview.com have used deals from time to time but no warrenty etc. The AVM-2 has been on audiogon for around $1200. For considerably less you can get a Denon receiver and use the pre-outs. My parents have one that was $600 two years ago (probably used today for under $300). It has pre-outs for your amps and analog pass through. The remote is not very good and sometimes is confusing. Hopefully they improved it since then.
I usually find that of the Denon, Yamaha and Sony group that Denon sounds the best, Sony and Yamaha have the most bells and whistles and are usually easier to use. But this is based on what research I did two years ago. Good luck.
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
