Consider a digital surround processor like the SH-AC500D

Posted by bassbinotoko (A) on July 28, 2010 at 16:54:17

In Reply to: here's one posted by Joe Murphy Jr on July 27, 2010 at 22:03:59:

I suspect the Meritline is just a USB sound device. It's slightly possible that it could work standalone (as an ADC or DAC), but I wouldn't bet on it.

You might find an actual Dolby Digital surround receiver for cheaper than a DAC. I've seen one for under $40 at a pawn shop. Some Pioneer receivers had preamp outputs.

Another option is a digital surround processor... in the early days of Dolby Digital and DTS, many receivers were sold as "digital ready" with 5.1 analog inputs, and outboard processors were sold separately or bundled. These were comparative bargains compared to the high-end separate processors. Most only supported Dolby Digital, and the only budget model with both DD and DTS that I know of was the Technics SH-AC500D. SGHT rated it and the matching receiver "Class B" at the time, which was uncommonly high praise considering most things they review have an extra zero in the price. It's conceivable you might find one of those boxes for sale used; the Technics makes a fine standalone processor, since it has remote volume and source selection, and several optical and RCA inputs. Analog in is just pass-through, no volume control. Add 4 or 5 channels of tube ampage and there you go. 5.1 is best, since the 500D doesn't do "bass management" or phantom center for DTS. With PCM (stereo) sources, it can apply Dolby Prologic surround decoding or just do stereo out like a regular DAC. If DTS isn't a priority, start with 4.0 and add subwoofers and center as available. If you want one now, eBay regularly has them and they sell for under $100.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Digital to Analog Converter ? - Triode_Kingdom 21:07:26 07/27/10 (10)

Thanks, here's what happened... - Me_again 06:10:17 07/29/10 (2)

switcher - Joe Murphy Jr 12:35:10 07/29/10 (0)

bassbinotoko was right. - Kal Rubinson 11:49:53 07/29/10 (0)

here's one - Joe Murphy Jr 22:03:59 07/27/10 (6)

Consider a digital surround processor like the SH-AC500D - bassbinotoko 16:54:17 07/28/10 (5)

beware of digital surround processors that aren't - bassbinotoko 22:49:10 07/28/10 (0)

RE: Consider a digital surround processor like the SH-AC500D - bassbinotoko 17:00:58 07/28/10 (3)

How did that manifest itself? - Kal Rubinson 18:40:48 07/28/10 (2)

RE: How did that manifest itself? - bassbinotoko 22:38:15 07/28/10 (1)

Thanks. - Kal Rubinson 05:18:59 07/29/10 (0)

Follow Ups

Consider a digital surround processor like the SH-AC500D - bassbinotoko 16:54:17 07/28/10 (5)

beware of digital surround processors that aren't - bassbinotoko 22:49:10 07/28/10 (0)

RE: Consider a digital surround processor like the SH-AC500D - bassbinotoko 17:00:58 07/28/10 (3)

How did that manifest itself? - Kal Rubinson 18:40:48 07/28/10 (2)

RE: How did that manifest itself? - bassbinotoko 22:38:15 07/28/10 (1)

Thanks. - Kal Rubinson 05:18:59 07/29/10 (0)

Consider a digital surround processor like the SH-AC500D

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