Atmos hometheater without AVR

[90sNintendoKid]

A genuine question, sorry if I am showing my ignorance… how does such a seemingly complex solution provide improved performance (audio fidelity) over the small handful of well measuring (transparent) pre/pros? (Anthem 70/90, Marantz AV10, etc)

I expect this type of complex solution to sound better than an Anthem and Marantz AV10. If I remember correctly, the Anthem processors only have Anthem Room Correction and not a parametric EQ. The Marantz has MultiEQX which can be hacked to apply a parametric EQ which I believe is 10 band.

This complex solution can use a convolution EQ and other plugins like properly downmixing 7.1 to stereo for headphones, headphone EQ and virtual surround. The possibilities are endless. I’m going to try a setup similar to Scatmos which goes beyond 7.1.4 like a Trinnov can do. Also I get to choose the dacs.

For me, testing this out is fun. I’m going to test the concept with cheap components first, using two Hifiberry DAC8X. I’m going to use CamillaDSP and Magic Beans for EQ and compare it with a Marantz AVR which uses MultEQX and Magic Beans for EQ.

If there isn’t much of a difference, I’m going to buy an Auro3d Denon AVR in a 7.4.4 layout and use Auro3d to upmix bad Atmos tracks and stereo, and Atmos when it’s good like the Dune films.

If there is a difference then I may consider an Okto dac or wait for the Fosi multichannel dac. This would be a lot cheaper than an Anthem or Marantz AV10. I’ve discounted getting a VanityPro or Arvus processor because the costs will spiral out of control.

If it doesn’t work then it hasn’t cost me much and I’ve had fun during the process.

I’m hoping WiiM release a 7.1 AVR, based on the measurements of their previous products, this would for me be an instant purchase. The WiiM Ultra roadmap has wireless Dolby 5.1 which I want to test out,

 

[Kal Rubinson]

The Marantz has MultiEQX which can be hacked to apply a parametric EQ which I believe is 10 band.

The AV10 also supports Dirac.

 

[90sNintendoKid]

The AV10 also supports Dirac.

I only have Audessey as a comparison which I know isn’t as good as Dirac. Magic Beans EQ sounds a lot better than Audessey. For me, it wasn’t close, the bass sounds awesome at all volume levels with a parametric EQ.