What goes between DVD out and my amps?

[Ian Mackenzie]

Steve,

An old issue that has many still puzzled.

Odd that you have analogue 5.1 outs and no decoding??

My Poineer 626 has full decoding but no volume..bummer.

So I either tell the player via the remove to mix the 5.1 down the two channel stereo and sent the L & R front straight into the pre amp which acts as a unbalanced to balanced converter, or I send the 2 rear surrounds to a power amp with level attenuators at a re set position.

I usually play stuff like the Eagles as a nominal level (bloody loud) and the sweet spot for overall balance is easy to find.

Although I have no control over distance delays an silly effects I find this approach gives excellent transparency that so called Wonder boxes no matter what you spend notoriously destroy.

Six Gang Dact or Thel attenuators can be found but ideally you should feed your amps from a low impedance source and some class A biased buffers post the attenuator would be an excellent solution. Kind of a ML or Krell quality A/V unit without all the frills (something like the discrete opamps in the hi end crossover would do the job nicely).

The above could easily be arranged with unbalaanced in and balanced out. Wow 7. 1 channels of balanced sound, now that would be something. I've yet to see an A/V preamp with that feature.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Ian



<TABLE cols=1 width="85%"><TBODY><TR><TD> CT1 audio attenuator CT1 STEPPED ATTENUATOR






DESCRIPTION:
The Danish Audio connect's(DACT) CT1 is a high quality stepped 24-position attenuator or volume control for high quality amplifiers and other equipment that you can ever owned nowadays.

It is supplied in a two channel (stereo) version with two individual Printed Circuit Boards mounted on a two wafer rotary switch. The series resistor network consists of 23 non-inductive low noise SMD metal film resistors.
The layout of the PC Boards and the choice of resistors has reduced the signal path to a minimum length (Patent is Pending).

All contacts and PC Board traces are gold plated to ensure long-term reliability.
The rotary switch is a gold plated high precision switch manufactured in Switzerland and is a make-before-break type.
The CTl is designed for maximum sound quality, accuracy and reliability.
Standard impedance in stereo are 10K, 20K, 50K, 100K and 250K ohm, ohmic law type A.
Mono type impedance are 10K, 100K & 250K. Ohmic law type A.
Other custom designed versions are offered.


CT1 4 wafer version for truly balanced stereo

APPLICATIONS:

Volume control for high quality Hi-Fi amplifiers etc.
Volume control for professional audio equipment
Attenuator in measuring and test equipment


<LI>Upgrading existing equipment

FEATURES:

Low noise, metal film SMD resistor network
Very compact design
Entire signal path excluding resistors is
gold plated
Five times shorter signal path

<LI>Reduced inductance and stray capacitance

ADVANTAGES:

Improved sound quality
Improved accuracy
Improved reliability
Increased bandwidth
Improve tracking between the two channels

<LI>Reduced distortion

OVERALL DIMENSIONS:
31 x 37 x 71mm(L)




<HR width="33%" SIZE=1> CT2 Stepped Audio Attenuator, 6 Deck version for Home Theatre/AV Audio

* for application of 5.1 channel system




<HR width="33%" SIZE=1>


CT2 Stepped Audio Attenuator, 8 Channel for 7.1 Channel Home Theatre/AV Audio
*for applications of 7.1 channel system

The 8-gang attenuators feature 24 positions like the other DACT audio attenuators, and same unique specifications like for instance:
- Bandwidth (10kOhm): 50MHz
- Channel matching: +/-0.05dB
- THD: 0.0001%
- Mechanical life, min.: 25,000 cycles

<HR width="33%" SIZE=1></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[SteveW]

Just sent this off to Denon......

Before purchase of this unit I would like to confirm the following:
...The 5.1 outputs for DVD-A and SACD playback will drive power amplifiers directly.
...The remote control will vary the signal level from these outputs to the power amplifiers.
...No external (additional) decoding will be nescessary for DVD-A and SACD playback.
...I can put in a common 5.1 movie (instead of an audio only disc) and the audio works fine.
...Using full range speakers, the bass management be 'defeated' as required.
...There are no audio performance limitations due to elimination of an AV receiver?

[porschedpm]

Hi. May I suggest you look at Outlaw Audio's model 950 pre/pro (preamp processor). I believe it may be the most reasonably priced pre/pro on the market at $699 new, but would give you much of the flexibility you're looking for (eg discrete 5 channels using the analog pass thrus, dolby digital, DTS, Dolby Pro Logic II for Music, Stereo 2ch, bass management, speaker distance, etc). Also has a tuner. I use one in a bedroom 6.1 AV system that I use more for surround audio than video. On paper the specs are excellent. In real life it's performance is very good, and rivals the $4500 pre/pro in my livilng room system. I don't argue that going directly from your DVD-A/SACD player would give excellent sound and if SACDs and DVD-A discs are the only formats you'll be listening to then you'll be fine. But if you intend on ever listening to regular (Non-SACD/DVD-A) CDs, or watching a Music Concert encoded in Dolby Digital or DTS, or hooking up an I-Pod to your system, you'll want the flexibility of a decent Pre/pro. Here's a link:

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/950.html

[MJC]

My choice for a processor would be a Lexicon MC-4, just released on Nov 30th, for $4495. It has everything but DVI.

[SteveW]

Wow...maybe Oldmics will give me a good deal on one of his.

Still lookin...still learning.
Pro-audio is much easier to deal with!!