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In Reply to: Looking for a simple dd/dts decoder posted by BobKE on November 21, 2004 at 15:33:25:
From memory, it has 3 digital inputs (one of which is a TOSlink/coax shared input which really makes it 4), a Master volume control, processes stereo PCM, Dolby Pro-Logic, Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 soundtracks, settings for speakers (yes/no for all -- except L and R, of course), size selection for speakers (large/small), speaker level settings (+12dB to -12dB, I believe), an analog 5.1 pass-through input (strickly pass-thru as volume is not adjustable), a display dimmer, remote control, mute function, tone for setting up speaker levels, the required 5.1 analog (preamp) outputs and it's about 2 1/2 inches high,.List price was $299 when new. It's a simple and easy to use design. Do a Google search for some reviews/opinions on this model. I still have mine (no manual, but it's not really needed) if you're interested.
Follow Ups:
Didn't keep it for long.My take is that, unfortunately, cheap decoders are ultimately very poor value and it is better to wait until a better unit can be afforded as units like the 500D will prove unsatisfactory with money lost during later upgrades.
But maybe there are better units around in that price bracket so I should not generalise. It all depends on what you want and how the decoder mates with the rest of the system. The 500D did not fit in here.
John
Interesting times
ht is not nearly as important to me as 2ch. i have a cheap tosh sd3860 dvd and 28in panasonic. but spent a stupid amt on centre and rears and driving with ackward amps. i'm saving for a widescreen as i hope i am done with the 2ch upgrade stuff. but if there is a huge diff in sound for ht, please give me your opinions! cheers!
... my experience is very limited. I went from one extreme (the Panasonic) to another (the Meridian 861) as I wanted a combined HT-music system. Having two processors, a Theta for music & the Panasonic for video was clumsy and messy, + neither was doing a great job.The latest "Perfect Vision" has a list of available components and the best value seems to be the A/V receivers. The Denon AVR-2805 reads well but even the cheaper Denon AVR-1804 would out perform the Panasonic. If you wish to retain present amps then an A/V controller looks more expensive at around $USD1500. If hunting around myself in this area I'd audition both the NAD and Rotel units.
If you like good sound (and it seems you have a good 2 CH system) then tread carefully with HT. To me, quality sound with video is just as important as with audio only.
John
i may take the more costly route into ht but i was trying to get as good sound on lowest possible budget. i fiqured separates was way to go and also give me flexibility. i think i now have too much flexiblity and it is a challenge to determine where to go next without having to sell everything. i have a mix/match of stuff and from what i can understand, everything should be matched. the processor is a technics, not panny if there is much diff in sound. i dont need processing for 2ch and not sure why i would. my only digital 2ch component is my cd player but i use the analog output as it is tube staged. it would be great if there was such a thing as a better quality ht processor that does only what the technics does. does the meridian have a analog preamp? cheers,-p
If we are talking economy and TV material like football etc, why lust after DD & DTS? There are some quite classy decoders out there, going very cheaply, that do a great job on Pro Logic. Lexicon came out with quite a few and even some od the older Fosgate units are fine. I still have a Fosgate 2 doing great service in another room and it is not shoddy on music either. IMO pro logic can be very effective and, unless the decoder is of good quality, those other compressed formats sound rather thin. Even then, the compression is detectable.John
Interesting times
John-I get DD from the HD STB. Besides, there's too little room in the rack for yet another box.
Kal
I am not surprised by your comments given the quality of what you own. However on the used market (read cheap), the Technics works fine in most systems. Some the reviews made it sound like the best processor ever, which it is not. HOWEVER, for a inexpensive system (compared to yours ;-) it is OK for what you paid.
I didn't see any description of the context for this suggestion. Yes, the 500 is an inexpensive decoder but it does the job for football broadcasts. ;-)Kal
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