2. home-theater
  3. 156414-4917

Inexpensive AV Processor with bypass

Hi, I currently have a 5.1 system centred on an old Primare P30 processor. Unfortunately t does not properly decode Dolby Digital + or Atmos. I would prefer not to have to replace the processor.

Q1: is there any device which can convert Dolby Digital + and Atmos into old-fashioned Dolby Digital?

Q2: in order to maximise audio quality my system has a separate high quality DAC which, for music, feeds through the processor in bypass mode, thus avoiding conversion of the analogue signal back to digital. Is their an inexpensive processor which has: Dolby Digital, Atmos, and a similar bypass mode? Balanced XLR connections preferred. Sound quality need not be top notch, as it´s for movies only, not my priority. Thanks!

garbo
garbo OP
27 posts
 
Ok, this might make me look stupid, but here goes; it wasn´t stated in the instructions: the TV settings are source specific. I was able to change my sound setting for Netflix to DD and now I get it in surround!

I am unable to do similar for external sources (my computer) connected to the TV via HDMI; sound via Toslink from the TV seems to be in stereo. However, there appears to be a work around; I tried the HDMI link just for the picture and took the accompanying audio direct from my Mac to the processor, via  USB/SPDIF converter to get it to the Coax input. The sound is far superior. Maybe not definitive; still working on it.
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
That's great!   Good luck on the s/pdif.  A USB/SPDIF reclocker like the Wyred 4 Sound "uLINK" can really improve your sound, but they can definitely get expensive.  They are much better than the $30 converters on amazon/ebay.  You could experiment with cheap one first.  A lot of this 5.1 audio is from configuration in your computer and software.  I know that JRiver media player does support 5.1 digital output for surround sound through both HDMI and SPDIF.  You could also try a bluray player software, such as PowerDVD, if you wanted.
garbo OP
27 posts
 
I bought the USB/SPDIF converter 12 years ago, a HagUSB. The sound seems good, but I have nothing to compare it to.

alexbpm's avatar
alexbpm
37 posts
 
My Yamaha CX-A5200 as bypass which Gene at Audioholics tested and said did in fact function correctly.  Just for fun, I ran some reference streamers and DACs through it and you know what?  Sounded pretty spectacular considering i was using a freakin yamaha.

Not sure if the unit will downconvert everything to dolby digital, however.  
More to discover