Possible solution for DTS/Dolby/Atmos+eARC+HDCP to AES/EBU - via Dante? (for Okto DAC8PRO etc)

[Esprit]

I use a UST Formovie Theater projector all day long combined with a Nothing floor rising screen.

 

[darth]

Just saw they listed this on their site

H16-AVP - Nuprime-X

The Nuprime-X H16-AVP is a high-performance HDMI audio decoder featuring AES3 (AES/EBU) digital audio outputs and XLR analog outputs for integration with professional audio systems. It supports immersive audio formats such as Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X®, along with full eARC HDMI and 4K HDR video...

nuprime-x.com

Looks like they are just taking their H16 existing platform and adding some analog outs.

 

[welwynnick]

Just saw they listed this on their site

H16-AVP - Nuprime-X

The Nuprime-X H16-AVP is a high-performance HDMI audio decoder featuring AES3 (AES/EBU) digital audio outputs and XLR analog outputs for integration with professional audio systems. It supports immersive audio formats such as Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X®, along with full eARC HDMI and 4K HDR video...

nuprime-x.com

Looks like they are just taking their H16 existing platform and adding some analog outs.

That caught me out, and I don't think it's been mentioned in the Nuprimex support forum. I was anticipating the HX16 AES.
It's interesting that Nuprime didn't build it up in advance, but only put it on their website when it was (presumably) ready to ship. Fingers burned before I suppose.
The H16-AVP appears to be embodiment of the previously-announced H16-ANA, except that it has XLR analogue outputs instead of DB-25's. Perfectly logical because they've had make more room for all those DACs, and seem to be using the larger 430mm wide MCX-800AD chassis. However the spec still says 230mm like the H16-AES.

Nuprime-X H16-ANA (HDMI to XLR converter)

H16-ANA will be released in August. It is essentially the same as H16-AES and H16-AIP except the output has 14 channels DACs for up to 9.1.4 analog outputs. Therefore H16-ANA is effectively a full featured AVP. You can use these cables to connect to multi-channel amps.

audiophilestyle.com

My interest is in the digital output versions. The H16 AVP looks like just another AVP.

 

[welwynnick]

Smyth do a Dante version of their Realiser: https://smyth-research.com/shop/
Not cheap - but not as expensive as the Storm stuff either - and Storm won't do Dante.
Although, for domestic use, I can't see the need for Dante - I would have thought the Balanced (or unbalanced) or AES3 versions of the realiser would be more than adequate.
Pros: You also get the phenomenal headphone virtualisation
Cons: Smyth are an "interesting" company to deal with....

I've been in contact with Smyth Research and learned a few interesting things.
They've introduced a "Lite" version of the Realiser without multi channel analogue outputs and a few other things.
The price is reduced from $4695 to $3000, but there are quite a lot of options.
In spite of the cut-down spec, the Realiser Lite is still available with an option for analogue outputs for an additional $500.
Digging deeper, they would instead offer an AES3 I/O option for an additional $750.
Maybe they would offer Dante as an option as well, but I didn't enquire.
A Realiser Lite with AES I/O is particularly attractive, especially as it's capable of 96kHz sample rate, rather than just 48kHz.

 

[Neddy]

And, so far, it doesn't seem to have a 'hobbs' meter' to track laser life (the Sony has an excellent one for lamp life)....something I was hoping Hisense would include, but doesn't.

I did find a setup menu item that shows time in use. Might have been in a software update.
Still loving the UST 4k plus H16AES.
The H16 software is pretty crude/confusing, and takes a bit of button poking to actually figure out what some options DO.
I didn't know that MiniDSP offers a Flex with Dante/AES outputs, for the same price as H16.
If they both actually do the same things, I'd have preferred to buy that one... but wasn't aware of that ($300) option.

miniDSP Flex HT

miniDSP Flex HT, 400MHz Sharc DSP audio processor, 8ch DAC, toolbox for subwoofer or multiway speaker tuning, USB/HDMI ARC/EARC, Optional Multichannel Dirac Live license for room correction, Optional Dante interface, Multichannel USB audio to Dante interface

www.minidsp.com

 

[carolimagni]

I did find a setup menu item that shows time in use. Might have been in a software update.
Still loving the UST 4k plus H16AES.
The H16 software is pretty crude/confusing, and takes a bit of button poking to actually figure out what some options DO.
I didn't know that MiniDSP offers a Flex with Dante/AES outputs, for the same price as H16.
If they both actually do the same things, I'd have preferred to buy that one... but wasn't aware of that ($300) option.

miniDSP Flex HT

miniDSP Flex HT, 400MHz Sharc DSP audio processor, 8ch DAC, toolbox for subwoofer or multiway speaker tuning, USB/HDMI ARC/EARC, Optional Multichannel Dirac Live license for room correction, Optional Dante interface, Multichannel USB audio to Dante interface

www.minidsp.com

Unless there's another SKU, that Flex unit doesn't decode the bitstream formats and it's AES-67, the AoIP variant. Not much use to an Okto unless you pair it with something like the Sonifex AVN-DIO19 waay back in the OP of this thread.

In the absence of bitstream decoding, the Flex HT Dante variant is closer the VanityPRO, with the VanityPRO having HDMI passthrough and what I think is oddly-placed DSD support.

I'm spying on Habitechs stocking of the AudioControl DPR-16 - their social medias suggest they'll have stock imminently.

The Hyperion thread suggests Dirac hasn't landed on day one.
The real question is how do us VAT-paying civilians get a hold of one? B2C? I hope us mere mortals aren't locked out from it.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

A Realiser Lite with AES I/O is particularly attractive, especially as it's capable of 96kHz sample rate, rather than just 48kHz.

Are you sure about that?

 

[Zooqu1ko]

Are you sure about that?

That's probably the limit for a single user. For two users, it should be 48kHz.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

That's probably the limit for a single user. For two users, it should be 48kHz.

"The Realiser operates at 24-bit / 48kHz internally, so it would not decode Dolby ADM at 24/96 — audio would be handled at 24/48."

 

[welwynnick]

Are you sure about that?

Ultimately I'll believe it when I get to try it for myself, or when JA tests it. But in the meantime, I quote the Smyth specification for the A16 Realiser 2U PRO-AES3:

AUDIO OUTPUTS

• 16-ch 24-bit AES-EBU 96kHz 2x DB25 master/slave (Tascam)
• 2-ch Analog Tactile 2Vrms @105dB SNR

And the specification for the A16 Realiser 2U PRO-Dante:

AUDIO OUTPUTS

• 16-ch 24-bit PCM 192kHz Dante
• 2-ch Analog Tactile 2Vrms @105dB SNR

I suspect that the 24/48 internal processing refers to SVS virtualisation with 2 users, but the Realiser is still a bit of an unfolding mystery to me.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Ultimately I'll believe it when I get to try it for myself, or when JA tests it. But in the meantime, I quote the Smyth specification for the A16 Realiser 2U PRO-AES3:

And the specification for the A16 Realiser 2U PRO-Dante:

I suspect that the 24/48 internal processing refers to SVS virtualisation with 2 users, but the Realiser is still a bit of an unfolding mystery to me.

I asked, among other things, this: Will it decode multichannel from Dolby ADM at 24/96?

The reply was: The Realiser operates at 24-bit / 48kHz internally, so it would not decode Dolby ADM at 24/96 — audio would be handled at 24/48.

Magic 8 Ball says: Reply hazy, try again.

 

[welwynnick]

I asked, among other things, this: Will it decode multichannel from Dolby ADM at 24/96?
The reply was: The Realiser operates at 24-bit / 48kHz internally, so it would not decode Dolby ADM at 24/96 — audio would be handled at 24/48.

I've been in touch with James, who's the Marketing Co-ordinator at Smyth Research. I asked him a specific question:

The specifications say the Realiser AES3 can output audio at 24 bit / 96kHz. However I also see that the internal processing is done at 24 bit / 48kHz. If the SVS virtualisation is turned off, and I’m just playing multi-channel 24/96 audio direct through to the AES3 output – will the Realiser maintain a 24/96 pipeline throughout, or will it drop down to 24/48 at any point?

He replied:

On the sample rate — even if SVS virtualisation is turned off, the Realiser still operates internally at 24-bit / 48kHz, so the signal will not remain at 24/96 throughout. It is handled at 24/48.

So that is the answer to that question. I presume it's the same for the Dante output, too. I will keep looking......

 

[Neddy]

Unless there's another SKU, that Flex unit doesn't decode the bitstream formats and it's AES-67, the AoIP variant. Not much use to an Okto unless you pair it with something like the Sonifex AVN-DIO19 waay back in the OP of this thread.

Yes, I'm aware an additional conversion would be required to use that Flex with OktoDAC8, though I never pursued it.
Many thanks for the info though!
Somehow I'd completely missed this Flex option during my 'what to order' investigation, so thought I'd bring it up here.

At least MiniDSP has (mostly) well designed software (and it does a lot more, too).
I'm ok with H16-AES, for now, but every time I see that splash screen it gives me flashbacks to my old Sinclair ZX81 days!
I have also connected my old Oppo 103 bluray player to it and that works quite well, too - at least for older 1080p blurays.

 

[darth]

PSA: Apple Tv continuous audio mode in v26.4 does help lock receivers into dolby mat mode. So codec switch doesn't cause issues.

 

[90sNintendoKid]

PSA: Apple Tv continuous audio mode in v26.4 does help lock receivers into dolby mat mode. So codec switch doesn't cause issues.

I did this and then I couldn’t use upmixing of stereo to surround, I wanted to give that heads up.

 

[STUNTfingers]

Hi Folks,

Ive been using Yulen's Black Box for over a year now and wondered if anyone else has tried it and what they thought of it? I wrote a review on DIY Audio forum DIY Audio link and I'd be happy to/do my best to answer and questions. Im not affiliated with Yulen aside from being a paying customer.

 

[welwynnick]

Thanks. I've been interested in the Black Box for a while.

Are there any issues handling HDCP protected AV content?

Cheers, Nick

 

[STUNTfingers]

Hi Nick,

Im using an Apple TV to output over HDMI to the black box and I have not had a single issue with it. It does not have decoding onboard but the Apple TV decodes to 5.1 PCM. Im not sure if 5.1 is the ceiling in this setup. It's been on non-stop for the past 15 months (aside from restarting due to DSP changes). I even shorted the DSP and let out some smoke and once the daughter board was changed it was back to working again.

 

[welwynnick]

Thanks. Have you ever tried playing a Blu-ray through it?

 

[STUNTfingers]

I have created a project file with the help of Claude AI so as I I could keep a personal track of development, mainly to help with understanding Sigma Studio, which I have attached. I recommend anyone developing a system to try this to, I'm an amateur so its helped me tremendously with trouble shooting.

I have asked Yulen about incorporating some sort of decoding but im not sure how feasible this is. I understand he may be further developing the box as well so maybe there are some plans ahead for it.