Audiopraise VanityPro Review (HDMI Audio Extractor)

[stevenswall]

If you perform a bad test you get a bad result.

That doesn't make sense with what I've just said.

If you think the testing is bad, I'd encourage you to be specific or reach out to those conducting the test.

Did you read the write-up that has details of the test?

Please disregard anything I've said and make your own conclusions after reading if the test is of interest to you.

 

[welwynnick]

Yes I read the test results very carefully, but I don't believe that blind tests that give negative results tell us anything useful.
They don't tell us what we want to know, which is where the limit of audibility is; they just tell us that particular test wasn't able to distinguish two sources.
It doesn't tell us that the limit of audibility sits below the level of that particular test, it just tells that EITHER the limit is lower, OR the test wasn't good enough; we don't know which.
Using negative results from blind tests is a race to the bottom, if that test was done badly enough, the result could have been used to prove that DVDs are the same as BDs.
The useful results are where a controlled blind test achieves a positive result, because we know that the test is good enough.
Now, that result might sit at a level BELOW that of a negative blind test, but it does give us useful information.
It tells us that the limit of audibility, wherever it lies, is at or above the test level.
If another test was done at a lower level, and it gave a positive result, it wouldn't add anything as we already know the limit is above.
If another test was done at the same level, and it gave a negative result, it wouldn't add anything as we already have a test with a positive result.
If another test was done at a higher level, and it gave a negative result, it wouldn't add anything because we cannot know that the test was good enough.
If another test was done at a higher level and it gave a positive result, it WOULD tell us that the test was good enough, AND that the limit is higher than the test.
In short, the limit of audibility is found by the HIGHEST POSITIVE result, rather than the LOWEST NEGATIVE result.

In the context of a discussion about the Audiopraise VanityPRO, which is an HDMI audio extractor and re-clocker, the improvements gained are likely to be smaller than the differences between lossy vs lossless audio (ie: streaming vs BD). The improvements come from the difference between on-board conversion of uncompressed LPCM audio vs off-board conversion of uncompressed LPCM audio, a subject that I'm very interested in. If it was true that streaming audio was transparent, this whole thread is moot and the VanityPro completely pointless.

 

[Gene LeClair]

View attachment 247115

May I ask what stand are you using for the center monitor?

 

[darth]

That might be reading Atmos and passing it on to a decoder, as most devices do. But does it decode it into 7.1 lpcm?

Per this thread

Google TV Streamer and HDMI Audio Passthrough

I got my Google TV Streamer hooked up to my Denon AVR 3600H and it's the only device I can't seem to get Audio Passthrough. It seems to decode all the formats on the device and pass everything as PCM. Was this intentional? Can this be changed can we get like in the Chromecast an option for...

www.googlenestcommunity.com

Sounds like it is doing the same as apple tv and utilizing Dolby MAT

 

[Lucian_Petrasescu]

Hi all,
I wish to build a Genelec 5.1 digital home cinema (7350 sub + five 8330s).
The goal is to watch 4k HDR movies via the Plex app installed on my Sony A95L TV.
First thing first.
Can I connect this AudioPraise VanityPro to my TV's eARC port?
If not, what can I do besides buying an Apple TV 4k?

 

[welwynnick]

Can I connect this AudioPraise VanityPro to my TV's eARC port?

Unfortunately the VanityPro doesn't support eARC.

 

[Nattage]

Nothing. Buy an Apple TV 4k and use only its remote for everything save for volume control for which you can use the wired genelec volume device.
It's a great setup.

 

[Lucian_Petrasescu]

Nothing. Buy an Apple TV 4k and use only its remote for everything save for volume control for which you can use the wired genelec volume device.
It's a great setup.

Why would I need the Genelec volume control anymore?
I read your previous posts and you claim that the Apple TV remote can control the volume and shutdown the tv, the ATV and this extractor at the same time. If that's the case then all you have to do in GLM software is to set the digital volume to maximum (0dB), save the settings to all speakers, unplug the GLM kit and volume control potentiometer and use the ATV remote for global digital volume control via the AudioPraise.
P.S. I see you used to have the ToneWinner AT-300. That was my first choice prior to seeing this thread .
Why didn't you stick with it?

 

[Nattage]

Don't set them to 0db!!
I did that once. You'll never do it again. Loud.
Set to start as -40 to -50db.
The apple remote can mute the apple output, but not adjust the volume. Well it did that for my Sony TV, not my new samsung TV, the cec settings on that preclude the mute working at the player end.
Ive used a long headphone extension lead to get the. Volume nob by the sofa. One time, where that lead was bunched up, it made the volume jump to 0db. Scares the willies out everyone indoors.

As to the tonwinner, it's somewhat simpler, but also has its audio synch issues and doesn't sound any where near as good.

 

[Lucian_Petrasescu]

Thanks for replying Nattage!
There was a video where a guy from AudioPraise demonstrated that you can adjust the digital volume of the VanityPro with the Apple remote from 0 to 100. I don't get it why you can't just set the Genelecs to 0dB. Both the Genelecs and the VanityPro control the volume in the digital domain.
The VP has 0.5dB increments from -50dB to 0dB. It makes no sense to use two remotes to control the digital volume not to mention that, with the Genelec system, you can't see the actual volume level. You have to connect the GLM kit to your laptop/pc and have the GLM software running to see your actual level.
Regarding the Tonewinner. Are you sure you actually heard a difference in sound quality and it's not placebo nor confirmation bias?
P.S. My TV is the Sony A95L.

 

[Nattage]

Pavel has a video for that? I'll look for that thanks.
In as far as anyone can be sure, yes I'm sure it was better.

 

[Lucian_Petrasescu]

Do you still need to buy the Genelec 9301A?
I ask because at some point there was talk about implementing bass management to the VP directly.

 

[Lucian_Petrasescu]

Anyone?

 

[Nattage]

I believe so, and I did.

 

[Lucian_Petrasescu]

Unfortunately the VanityPro doesn't support eARC.

Is this a good ideea?

ZONE2-PRO 8k eARC Audio Processor

Convert and distribute eARC audio in your home theater

www.thenaudio.com

 

[Lucian_Petrasescu]

I believe so, and I did.

Can you please tell me exactly how did you connect each AES output of the VanityPro to each input of the Genelec 9301A?
I ask because AES Input 4 is labeled as LFE.
Thanks

 

[Nattage]

Can you please tell me exactly how did you connect each AES output of the VanityPro to each input of the Genelec 9301A?
I ask because AES Input 4 is labeled as LFE.
Thanks

I believe input 4 is LFE and centre. With the VP I haven't needed to set its corresponding output to swapped.

 

[Nattage]

Is this a good ideea?

ZONE2-PRO 8k eARC Audio Processor

Convert and distribute eARC audio in your home theater

www.thenaudio.com

Only if this box decodes the bitstreams to multi channel LPCM, which I don't think it does.

 

[Nattage]

Thanks for replying Nattage!
There was a video where a guy from AudioPraise demonstrated that you can adjust the digital volume of the VanityPro with the Apple remote from 0 to 100. I don't get it why you can't just set the Genelecs to 0dB. Both the Genelecs and the VanityPro control the volume in the digital domain.
The VP has 0.5dB increments from -50dB to 0dB. It makes no sense to use two remotes to control the digital volume not to mention that, with the Genelec system, you can't see the actual volume level. You have to connect the GLM kit to your laptop/pc and have the GLM software running to see your actual level.
Regarding the Tonewinner. Are you sure you actually heard a difference in sound quality and it's not placebo nor confirmation bias?
P.S. My TV is the Sony A95L.

I've got that to work (volume control of VP with ATV remote).
I adjusted the GLM software volume to 0db for the test, as I wasn't getting useable (big enough) changes in volume for each button press and also level 1 of hundred wasn't very quite and then 0 of course was silent.
Google wisdom suggests the best place to control digital volume is in GLM, so I've reverted to the volume knob as it's more adjustable, quicker and the family are used to it.
The exercise has meant that I've stumbled on settings across, my new TV, apple and VP, that re enabled mute, volume control (which I'll ignore) and TV on and off, which the addition of a new samsung TV has screwed up.
Back to just enjoying this endgame system

 

[Lucian_Petrasescu]

I believe input 4 is LFE and centre. With the VP I haven't needed to set its corresponding output to swapped.

So, to recap, from the VP to the 9301A:

AES1 Out -> AES In 1
AES2 Out -> AES In 4 (LFE)
AES3 Out -> AES In 3
AES4 Out -> empty (no cable connected).

Please confirm if this is correct.