Will a Proceed AMP handle LPCM input?

I'll first confess that I don't really know what I'm talking about. But, as I understand it, I think that LCPM (linear pulse-code modulation) is simply a means, and a pretty standard means, of encoding digital information. It's used in CDs. It's used in DVDs. The DACs on the AVP clearly accept and can decode digital streams from both CDs and DVDs, so it can obviously handle LCPM. LCPM, however, can also encode up to what we might call high definition (i.e., bit depths and sample rates over the 16/44.4 that is the Redbook standard). LCPM is used in BluRay, for example. While the AVP will certainly decode certain multi-channel codecs – anything clocking in at what we might call more modern high-def sample rates or bit depths, or any of the more modern multi-channel codecs – none of them existed when the AVP was in production. So, it's virtually certain that they will not be supported. Thus, I suspect LCPM or no is not the determinative question. The question will be what you're encoding by those means. Make any sense?

Mezmo's understanding is correct. At the risk of oversimplifying, LPCM is basically two channel audio up to CD redbook standards. For any surround codecs such as Dolby Digital or DTS you will be dealing with "bitstream" not LPCM.

So if you are looking to any higher resolution or surround codecs you will need to deal with HDMI hook ups and the DRM and HDCP that goes with it.

HTH

And at the risk of making things more complicated (yet, honestly, in an effort to simplify) worth specifying exactly who is doing what. Your source material, to start. I am not sure what a HD/Master Audio track is – but assuming it is either HD or a modern multi-channel codec (seems safe) – then the answer is No. The DACs on the AVP won’t have the slightest idea what to do with it. You mentioned using the PS3 to “decode” these tracks. As I would use that word, this means using the DACs on the PS3 to convert these tracks from digital to analog. If you could then offload a multi-channel analog signal from the PS3 (which you cannot, it only supports stereo analog output), you could use the DAC on the PS3 to do the heavy D to A lifting and then go multi-channel analog into the AVP just fine. But, again, you can’t. So, as it turns out, the only way to get multi-channel info off of the PS3 is digitally, so that means you need an off-board DAC with the grunt sufficient to do the decoding for whatever format you’re using.

OK, little more info. DTS-HD Master Audio (which I now get is what we're talking about) is a HD multi-channel codec used in BluRay (among other things). Think it was created in 2009. There is absolutely no way any Proceed product will be able to decode this format. Proceed folded long before it was created. That really should be the whole story.

Thank you HTH & Mezmo - you have answered my questions. I was hoping to indeed get the DTS-MA decoded in the PS/3 somehow into the AVP or an AVP2. Seeing as how I currently decode in the PS3 and send LPCM over HDMI into my Rotel RSP-1069 I was wondering if I could do something similar to the Proceed. But the DAC in the 1069 must know how to deal with multi-channel sounds in LPCM where as the DAC in the AVP/AVP would not (due to it's age).

I have this idea of using the 1069 for HDMI switching and send the audio out it's digital out port into the AVP/AVP2 to hand the sound reproduction. 2-Channel audio is of high importance to me.

I think you need to look a little further. Some of this depends on whether you have a AVP or an AVP2.

S/PDIF or optical can carry 5.1 Dolby Pro Logic and DTS formats, although not the new lossless formats introduce with Blu Ray (DD HD or DTS-MA). S/PDIF can only carry 2 channels of LCPM. But, Blu Rays have to have the original lossy formats on them, as well as the new lossless formats.

From what I can tell from reading, the AVP supports the original Dolby Pro Logic format , but the AVP2 added Dolby Pro Logic II (PLII). Original Dolby Pro Logic was 5.1 channel, but it tended to collapse sound into the center channel. Dolby Pro Logic II (PLII) is more natural. PLII was introduced by Dolby in 2000, so it was not in the AVP but was in the AVP2, which came out about 2002.

Since the AVP and the AVP2 AVP2 can decode both Dolby Pro Logic and DTS, although not the new lossless formats (DTS-MA and Dolby HD), if the PS/3 can put out Dolby Pro Logic or DTS (lossy) and you can get it to a S/PDIF cable, then the AVP should be able to decode them as 5.1 signals. On a Blu Ray player, there is an option to but out the lossy (D PLII or plain DTS). DVDs come with the lossy format only.

The AVP2 Manual describes using Pro Logic II, both movie and music modes. The AVP manual is also on the Proceed website.

The AVP2 also added LCPM support, including 24 bit 96 KHz digital signals, by a solftware upgrade. See the review here I cannot tell if the AVP does 2 channel LCPM over S/PDIF or not. It does have AES support from a CD transport, but that is not what you are looking for.

The new lossless formats DTS- MA or Dolby Digital HD can also be converted to LCPM or can converted to analog. As part of the conversion, a multi-channel signal can be converted to stereo. I do not know what the PS/3 does, but most Blu Ray Players, for example, can convert 5.1 DTS-MA to either 5.1 or 2 channel LCPM or 5.1 or 2 channel analog.

The AVP probably has a better DAC than the PS/3, so if you can send a 2 channel LCPM S/PDIF to the AVP2 you can use the DAC in the AVP.

There is lots of detail here. But don't give up on a 5.1 digital signal. It should be possible. Hope I got most of this right. Good luck.

Disclaimer : I have never worked with either the AVP or the AVP2 or the PS/3. But, from what I read, getting a 5.1 digital signal from the PS/3 to the AVP or AVP2 should be possible. And certainly a 2 channel analog should be possible.