AV processor

[Zod]

Because my stereo system is Cyrus, I made the mistake of buying the Cyrus AV Master 8.0 processor. I say mistake, because its performance is a little flakey and it doesn't handle the newer lossless formats, either over bitstream or LPCM because it has no HDMI inputs.

I have a full set of Cyrus power amps (2 x Mono-X and 3 x SmartPower), so I have no need or want of a receiver.

I have looked at the Audiolab 8000AP, but it doesn't handle bitstream. Does this matter? Is LPCM over HDMI decoded by the BluRay player enough?

[Mr_Yogi]

I (and I'm not alone) am not convinced by the *Massive* increase in quality you receive when moving from DTS or DD to the lossless formats, especially when the levels have been equalised and played on decent kit such as yours.

In theory LPCM and Bitstream should be the same, however THIS thread identifies some differences and comes up with some interesting questions, which would point the finger at the amps handling of LPCM rather than any inherent problem with LPCM.

There was a very intersting article (which I can't find right now) where someone listened to DTS, DTS-MA at *I think* the DTS studios and reported the differences were... subtle.

Personally if you are happy with your kit at the moment I would wait until the LPCM issue is cleared up as player decoding is the way it's 'ment to be done' according to the (I think) Bluray 2.0 spec.

Don't forget that even using SPDIF from a bluray player you get an increase in quality from most DVDs for both DD (400KB/s ish -> 600KB/s ish) and DTS (600KB/s ish -> 1.5MB/s)


EDIT: fount it HERE

Edited by Mr_Yogi on Tuesday 17th February 17:41

[DavidY]

Mr Yogi said:

Don't forget that even using SPDIF from a bluray player you get an increase in quality from most DVDs for both DD (400KB/s ish -> 600KB/s ish) and DTS (600KB/s ish -> 1.5MB/s)

+1

davidy

[Zod]

Thanks. Will read and digest.

[derestrictor]

Zodstein,

If you're going to put this much endeavour into uncovering technical pros and cons when it comes to home theatre, it seems remiss not to venture into the realm of THX.

Plotters!

[JustinP1]

DavidY said:

Mr Yogi said:

Don't forget that even using SPDIF from a bluray player you get an increase in quality from most DVDs for both DD (400KB/s ish -> 600KB/s ish) and DTS (600KB/s ish -> 1.5MB/s)

+1

davidy

And above that, even if you have golden ears, a £30,000 system and a perfect room you would be hard pressed to notice the difference even if you were listening for it.

[Zod]

derestrictor said:

Zodstein,

If you're going to put this much endeavour into uncovering technical pros and cons when it comes to home theatre, it seems remiss not to venture into the realm of THX.

Plotters!

but isn't THX just a marketing standard?

Ich habe die Lautsprecher dafuer!