Seduced By Surround, Saved By Stereo

[audiobomber]

Otto wrote:

Also, I could be wrong about some of the details: there may be some preamps that can somehow decode SACD, but I'm not aware of them and there may be other formats available for multi-channel audio.

SACD and DVD-A can be passed from a player to a pre-pro digitally, if both have the required technology incorporated, and the manufacturer has paid for the required licences. Firewire has sufficient bandwidth to pass multi-channel SACD and DVD-A. Pioneer and Denon provide this capability on some of their units using proprietary technology. But since the hi-resolution m-c music format are now both obsolete, this capability is only a mild curiosity for most people.

May 13, 2005 - Denon Electronics today announced that its new DENON LINK* 3rd Edition digital interface has been officially approved for transmission of Super Audio CD (SACD) signals by Sony and Philips, developers of the SACD format. DENON LINK 3rd now fully supports all digital audio transmission specifications, including SACD as well as CD and DVD-Audio. Currently the AVR-3805 and AVR-5805 support DENON LINK 3rd as well as the upcoming AVR-4806 and any future receivers/processors released with DENON LINK connectivity.

[Otto]

audiobomber wrote:

SACD and DVD-A can be passed from a player to a pre-pro digitally, if both have the required technology incorporated,

Yeah, I figured that it was technically possible. Thanks for the comment, Dan, I learned something new today.

[Kal Rubinson]

DS-21 wrote:

My theory is that multichannel stereo is by-and-large unappreciated because most center channel speakers are so awful. I'm sorry, but expecting actual music to come out of a toppled MTM? Not gonna happen.

With a good center channel set up well, three channel audio is a giant improvement over two channel IMO.

Bravo. Such poor excuses for a center speaker may suffice to fit a decorating scheme or, even, enhance the audibility of voices on movie DVDs, but they fail to provide the seamless soundstage needed for music.

Kal

[Kal Rubinson]

audiobomber wrote:

SACD and DVD-A can be passed from a player to a pre-pro digitally, if both have the required technology incorporated, and the manufacturer has paid for the required licences. Firewire has sufficient bandwidth to pass multi-channel SACD and DVD-A. Pioneer and Denon provide this capability on some of their units using proprietary technology. But since the hi-resolution m-c music format are now both obsolete, this capability is only a mild curiosity for most people.

In addition, the latest iterations of HDMI (from v1.2 on) can handle SACD and new equipment is now coming on the market with it.

Kal

[audiobomber]

Kal Rubinson wrote:

In addition, the latest iterations of HDMI (from v1.2 on) can handle SACD and new equipment is now coming on the market with it.

Kal

I imagine HDMI, firewire etc will be de rigueur for Blu-Ray's high bandwidth.

[Kal Rubinson]

audiobomber wrote:

I imagine HDMI, firewire etc will be de rigueur for Blu-Ray's high bandwidth.

HDMI, not firewire.

Kal

[RollsRoyce]

I've been pleased with the THX Neural Surround that's included on my Onkyo TX-DS705. IMHO, it does a good job of reproducing the ambience captured in 2-channel recordings such as CDs or vinyl without adding any artificial-sounding "enhancement". Listening to the Christopher Parkening classical guitar CD "In The Spanish Style", Parkening and his guitar are anchored firmly in front of the listener, with very subtle ambience clues from the surrounds that give the illusion of being in the recording studio with the artist. The ambience information calls no attention to itself and I really didn't notice it until I played the recording in normal stereo. Then the recording seemed to collapse into itself.

[superchad]

Been there done that, now I run tube pre for 2 channel and combine it with passthru for HT.
It looks to me like the recording is so hit and miss as to how SACD/DVD-A will sound, I have heard great ones and ones that sound like a guy sat in middle of stage just spinning a mic around.
I think Lexicon has about the best steering for surround, the "Logic 7" modes can really work for some matrix surround creations....mostly Classical sounds best to my ears.