Audiopraise VanityPro Review (HDMI Audio Extractor)

[Lucian_Petrasescu]

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

Isnt't that the job of the source?
In my case the Sony A95L will be set to PCM instead of Passthrough in Audio System Settings.

 

[welwynnick]

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

I suspect that it might work OK if the decoding is performed somewhere else in the system, such as in the player or the TV. But more research would be needed.

 

[Lucian_Petrasescu]

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

Glad to hear.
In my proposed system (A95L -> Zone2Pro -> VanityPro -> Genelec 9301A -> 7350 Sub + five 8330 monitors I will control the global volume with the Sony TV remote.
You still didn't tell me how do you see the volume level when you use the Genelec rotary knob. You need to connect the GLM kit to a laptop, and run the GLM software to see the volume level.
It seems totally backwards since I can control everything with the TV remote and see the actual volume level on the TV screen.

 

[darth]

Isnt't that the job of the source?
In my case the Sony A95L will be set to PCM instead of Passthrough in Audio System Settings.

If you set to PCM at TV then I think that will no longer be multichannel. Will get down mixed into 2.0. Atleast that's how it works on LG TVs. Have to keep everything passthrough.

 

[welwynnick]

I think the intended use case for Audiopraise is to play discs on a Blu-ray player and have that decode TrueHD / DTS MA etc to LPCM, which is directly sent over HDMI (not eARC) to the VanityPro for extraction to AES/EBU etc for onward DA conversion.

I don't think it's really suitable for other scenarios.

As an alternative you could consider the forthcoming NuprimeX H16A which has more functionality and flexibility.

 

[Lucian_Petrasescu]

I think the intended use case for Audiopraise is to play discs on a Blu-ray player and have that decode TrueHD / DTS MA etc to LPCM, which is directly sent over HDMI (not eARC) to the VanityPro for extraction to AES/EBU etc for onward DA conversion.

I don't think it's really suitable for other scenarios.

As an alternative you could consider the forthcoming NuprimeX H16A which has more functionality and flexibility.

So for my usecase, it would take audio from the eARC of the TV and then output it via AoIP to something like the Genelec 9401A?

Genelec 9401A

System Management Device for Audio-over-IP networks Converts AoIP streams (ST2110, AES67 and Ravenna) to AES/EBU, 16 Digital audio channels via Sub-DB25 connection, which can be fed into Genelec SAM monitoring systems, Dedicated subwoofer output,...

www.thomann.de

Too bad it has only HDMI 2.0
But if I connect my gaming PC directly to my TV I should still get 4k 120Hz AND audio to the NuprimeX via eARC, correct?

 

[welwynnick]

So for my usecase, it would take audio from the eARC of the TV and then output it via AoIP to something like the Genelec 9401A?
But if I connect my gaming PC directly to my TV I should still get 4k 120Hz AND audio to the NuprimeX via eARC, correct?

I think that should work.
What audio format do you want to use?

 

[Lucian_Petrasescu]

I think that should work.
What audio format do you want to use?

My plan is to watch 4k HDR movies from my Plex server. So TrueHD 7.1 48kHz.

 

[Lucian_Petrasescu]

If you set to PCM at TV then I think that will no longer be multichannel. Will get down mixed into 2.0. Atleast that's how it works on LG TVs. Have to keep everything passthrough.

You are 100% correct.
I tried Blade Runner 2049 on my current setup of A95L + Sony HT-A9 and SA-SW5 sub and unless I have "Prioritize pass through" in system settings I lose all surround effects even if Passthrough -> HDMI is enabled in the advanced settings of the Plex App.
So everything TV side must be passthrough and the connected device to the eARC port must do the decoding...
This leaves me only with an AVR/AVP but I will have to go analog, or a device like the NuprimeX H16A suggested earlier if I want digital.

 

[darth]

You are 100% correct.
I tried Blade Runner 2049 on my current setup of A95L + Sony HT-A9 and SA-SW5 sub and unless I have "Prioritize pass through" in system settings I lose all surround effects even if Passthrough -> HDMI is enabled in the advanced settings of the Plex App.
So everything TV side must be passthrough and the connected device to the eARC port must do the decoding...
This leaves me only with an AVR/AVP but I will have to go analog, or a device like the NuprimeX H16A suggested earlier if I want digital.

You can follow this thread also for more device recommendations. But yea the nuprime sounds good for the price.

Possible solution for DTS/Dolby/Atmos+eARC+HDCP to AES/EBU via Dante? (for Okta 8 etc)

This is more or less what I am after too. All I need is a simple eARC to 12 channel (7.1.4 setup) converter / sound processor (after all the downmixing/upmixing/no-mixing). All digital and no analog in or outs. It's hard to find a single device that has 12 output ports (either Dante or ABS/EBU)...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Nattage]

Glad to hear.
In my proposed system (A95L -> Zone2Pro -> VanityPro -> Genelec 9301A -> 7350 Sub + five 8330 monitors I will control the global volume with the Sony TV remote.
You still didn't tell me how do you see the volume level when you use the Genelec rotary knob. You need to connect the GLM kit to a laptop, and run the GLM software to see the volume level.
It seems totally backwards since I can control everything with the TV remote and see the actual volume level on the TV screen.

Sorry didn't get notified and missed your message... I don't keep a laptop connected all the time, just the usb a for power. So I can't SEE the Volume level, I just know from the rotary knob roughly what it's set at a s of course my ears! I leave the AP set to 100. My atv4l remote can mute if I can't be bothered to lean to the other side of the sofa.
It sounds better and works better for me and I have the option of both.