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

[darth]

My initial thoughts on this box were positive. However it really should have CEC master volume control so the connected HDMI source can control the master volume from its remote. But it doesn’t. What I’m looking forward to much more is the digital only AudioControl Hyperion DPR-16 AVP. It will decode Atmos and DTS up to 16 channels. And has both Dante and AES/EBU outputs for each channel. So the only competition to the Storm Audio ISP EVO, but much more compact, and probably way cheaper. Due for release Q2 this year:

Hyperion Series

In-Development with a goal of launching in Q2 of 2025 Meet Hyperion: the future of immersive home cinema. AudioControl proudly introduces the Hyperion series, a revolutionary line of home theater processors and receivers that redefine immersive entertainment. The Hyperion series is a...

www.audiocontrolpro.com

Rear panel

View attachment 424287


Pair this with the new Merging Technologies HAPI MK3 and 16 channels of the dacs, and you’ll have the best sounding Atmos theatre possible up to 16 channels. And with the MK3 it has Dante native so no need to use Ravenna in AES67 mode.

https://www.merging.com/uploads/assets/Merging_pdfs/Brochures/Neumann/Technical_Sheet_Merging_Hapi_Mk_III_and_Extension_Cards_V1.pdf

Interesting choice to use rj45 or whatever that is for AES/EBU instead over a more traditional tascam style db25.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Interesting choice to use rj45 or whatever that is for AES/EBU instead over a more traditional tascam style db25.

Most of my system uses RJ45/CAT6 for AES/EBU, S/PDIF and analog audio.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

What are you running for gear in your system chain currently?

Digital sources: Custom Intel/Win11 music server running JRiver Media Center v32 and Roon 2, Merging Devices Hapi II multichannel DAC. QNAP TVS-873 NAS. Oppo Digital UDP-103 universal disc player.
Power amplifiers: 3 x Benchmark AHB2.
Loudspeakers: 3 x KEF Blade Two Meta with IsoAcoustics GAIA II feet, KEF LS60 Wireless, 2 x KEF KC92, 1 X SVS SB2000Pro
Accessories: Furman Elite 15 DM, HDPlex 300W Linear Power Supply (for server).

 

[Kal Rubinson]

How are you decoding the Atmos?

I am not .............................. yet.

 

[darth]

Dante input with ESS 9039 pro dacs and Purifi amp modules

Curious, what product/brand are these?

 

[Andysu]

Curious, what product/brand are these?

its darth vader , you didn't get the george lucas THX real thing ? ultimate power in the universe with JBL motion picture loudspeakers ? JBL Jedi Blaster Lightsabers

 

[DWPress]

do you think an SW42DA connected to a MacMini running a Mitch Barnett convolution connected to an Okto Pro 8 channel DAC, with volume control done by the Okto work?

Not exactly your implementation but I use a ADC's AES 2ch output into my Okto Dac8 Pro in AES/USB mode where it is routed via USB to my Mac mini M2. Once in the Mini it is processed for XO/DRC for 8 active channels (3 ways + 2 subs) via Mitch's Hang Loose Convolver app and sent back to the Okto via USB and distributed to the amps. This is how I use my computer based system to still enjoy vinyl on occasion and I can still use the Okto volume knob or remote for all its features as well as volume control.

So I can verify that you can do live processing as you propose but you'll still need to figure out the decoding part. It can be at any bit depth/sample rate your gear or computer can handle.

With the Okto the input clock is driven by the first AES input and other AES inputs will slave to #1. With the new firmware for the Okto DACs you can do a lot of DSP within the unit - really an amazing bit of gear that keeps getting better. I'd suggest reaching out to Pavil and Fabricio about multichannel AES input possibilities.

 

[Andysu]

dts professional cad 5 , aes in/outputs , very rare

darth vader wants to know the secrets of the THX

 

[DWPress]

That's terrible news, what a loss indeed. I did some beta testing for quite a few of his Mac ports and learned a lot during the process.

 

[Andysu]

@darth , darth vader this is about as close to the force you'll get , real THX JBL the force of the stage and surround bass , OBE sw that's only here in THX to be experienced , the flashback laserdisc in proper Dolby Stereo via CP200 , the JBL x11 8330 mkII or can use the CIC/UCI experimental overhead surrounds x9 JBL 8330A

 

[MCH]

. All the boxes with built in SRC degrade the sound to different levels of severity. Even though they measure absolutely perfect, the SRC chips are not all created equal. .... So a bit better than the algorithms built into cheap 20 year old chips such as the SRC4392:

Hello @Amazingsound I am interested in this. What is it based on? Is it your impressions listening to audio resampled on those boxes or anything else? (Sorry for the off topic)

 

[Kal Rubinson]

But you were at one point. Because I just read your review on the Storm EVO.

That was for the review.

Did you try any similar experiments when you had the Evo in your setup?

Yes. Similar but I cannot recall the exact arrangements. Generally, I preferred going direct from my source (JRiver) to the DAC over having the Storm as an intermediary.

 

[darth]

Got a word from blustream support confirming SW42DA supports AES67. Still waiting for it to get listed on retailer websites in the US.

 

[darth]

If I connect a box like this to Genelec 9401A and then to a Genelec set of speakers the volume at that point gets controlled by GLM and then in this case I assume no need for CEC.

 

[darth]

But does adding a $3150 box into the system make using this Blusound box make sense?

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/9401A--genelec-9401a-system-management-device-for-audio-over-ip

My prediction is the new 16 channel AudioControl DPR-16 will be under $5000. And it will have both a proper remote for volume control and CEC so your connected source remotes will work for volume control as well. Then all you need to add is either AES67 compliant dacs such as the Merging HAPI, or dual 8 channel DAC’s such as the Okto connected via AES/EBU. Or better yet amps with AES67 built right in. And a step above that is active speakers with AES67 inputs. No need for the external DAC, amps.

Plus it will have Dirac and many other proper AVP features that this box which isn’t even intended for the use case proposed in this thread is designed for.

For me personally, for the setup I will be trying to get, I don't need amps or dirac or dacs or remote. Just really need some kind of eARC based HDMI Atmos decoder + 9301B or 9401A. For genelecs you can feed them directly AES and let GLM manage bass and correction. Dirac probably is better per some comparisons on this forum but with my room size I predict not much difference.

With the state of how things are I was just planning on going analog and sticking to a simpler preamp setup using a monolith htp-1 or avm70. But reading about these newer devices, and them being more compact got me interested again in the all digital route.

Genelec Home Theater on Digital

Hi all, I got a pair of Genelec 8330 + the 7350 sub and I am driving them on digital from TV's optical in stereo. Simple working setup with no headaches. Just love the sound, the clarity, separation, the easy calibration. Just perfect for my needs. I love the sound so much that i'd like to go...

www.audiosciencereview.com

In any case I still have some time before I need to settle on something so hopefully more info about Audio control soon.

 

[darth]

Storm is limited to 24/48, they do offer a way to get the audio out to your amps at 24 bits.

I would guess there is less incentive to go beyond that due to lack of content? Apple TV caps out at 24/48. Besides apple music there isn't any other service offering streaming Dolby atmos content for music. I read that blu-rays are generally also at that and occasionally might be 24/96. Using a Mac or MacBook might be the only way to get higher sample rate for music.

 

[darth]

Storm seems to moving to a new DAC, chose ESS

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Storm seems to moving to a new DAC, chose ESS

When they support 24/96, I'll be in.

 

[welwynnick]

I am not .............................. yet.

If you ever find a reasonable way to do that with a PC, please be sure to let us know!

 

[kandamrgam]

For me personally, for the setup I will be trying to get, I don't need amps or dirac or dacs or remote. Just really need some kind of eARC based HDMI Atmos decoder + 9301B or 9401A. For genelecs you can feed them directly AES and let GLM manage bass and correction. Dirac probably is better per some comparisons on this forum but with my room size I predict not much difference.

With the state of how things are I was just planning on going analog and sticking to a simpler preamp setup using a monolith htp-1 or avm70. But reading about these newer devices, and them being more compact got me interested again in the all digital route.

Genelec Home Theater on Digital

Hi all, I got a pair of Genelec 8330 + the 7350 sub and I am driving them on digital from TV's optical in stereo. Simple working setup with no headaches. Just love the sound, the clarity, separation, the easy calibration. Just perfect for my needs. I love the sound so much that i'd like to go...

www.audiosciencereview.com

In any case I still have some time before I need to settle on something so hopefully more info about Audio control soon.

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). Did you find something?