Does anyone know of a "black-box" DD decoder that is commercially available?

I've been looking for a "black box" that will take a DD 5.1 coded SPDIF
input and convert to 6 line-level analogue outputs, and have failed to find
one. Plenty of "Surround-Sound Amplifiers" (complete with power-amps, etc.)
around, but that's not what I want.

David.

In article ,
"David Looser" wrote:

Does anyone know of a "black-box" DD decoder that is commercially available?

I've been looking for a "black box" that will take a DD 5.1 coded SPDIF
input and convert to 6 line-level analogue outputs, and have failed to find
one. Plenty of "Surround-Sound Amplifiers" (complete with power-amps, etc.)
around, but that's not what I want.

Sounds like you want something like the long-discontinued Creative
Decoder DDTS-100.

You might search for a surround preamp/processor. These tend to be
pricey (Outlaw has one under $600).

Stephen

"MiNe 109" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"David Looser" wrote:

Does anyone know of a "black-box" DD decoder that is commercially
available?

I've been looking for a "black box" that will take a DD 5.1 coded SPDIF
input and convert to 6 line-level analogue outputs, and have failed to
find
one. Plenty of "Surround-Sound Amplifiers" (complete with power-amps,
etc.)
around, but that's not what I want.

Sounds like you want something like the long-discontinued Creative
Decoder DDTS-100.

Well not quite, what I really want is a box with a power input, one digital
input and 6 analogue outputs and nothing else. Especially no controls of any
sort.

You might search for a surround preamp/processor. These tend to be
pricey (Outlaw has one under $600).

They also tend to be very complicated with lots of connectors and controls.

David.

In article ,
"David Looser" wrote:

"MiNe 109" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"David Looser" wrote:

Does anyone know of a "black-box" DD decoder that is commercially
available?

I've been looking for a "black box" that will take a DD 5.1 coded SPDIF
input and convert to 6 line-level analogue outputs, and have failed to
find
one. Plenty of "Surround-Sound Amplifiers" (complete with power-amps,
etc.)
around, but that's not what I want.

Sounds like you want something like the long-discontinued Creative
Decoder DDTS-100.

Well not quite, what I really want is a box with a power input, one digital
input and 6 analogue outputs and nothing else. Especially no controls of any
sort.

Well, it was cheap when it was available. I saw two channel devices that
better fit your description, but no help for six channels.

You might search for a surround preamp/processor. These tend to be
pricey (Outlaw has one under $600).

They also tend to be very complicated with lots of connectors and controls.

Yes.

Stephen

On Sat, 27 Sep 2008 16:01:24 +0100, "David Looser"
wrote:

Well not quite, what I really want is a box with a power input, one digital
input and 6 analogue outputs and nothing else. Especially no controls of any
sort.

AFAIK, such has never existed except, perhaps, as a test jig from a
chip manufacturer. Even so, I think you will have to accept (and
ignore) the controls. I have a Technics DD decoder and, once set up,
there's no need to use controls.

Kal

"David Looser" wrote in
message
Does anyone know of a "black-box" DD decoder that is
commercially available?
I've been looking for a "black box" that will take a DD
5.1 coded SPDIF input and convert to 6 line-level
analogue outputs, and have failed to find one. Plenty of
"Surround-Sound Amplifiers" (complete with power-amps,
etc.) around, but that's not what I want.

(1) There are a number of Surround Sound processors at ridiculously high
prices, but you already knew that.

(2) The Technics SHAC-500 might still be available as used equipment.

(3) You could always take one of the relatively cheap smaller surround
receivers, and pad down its speaker outputs so that they were suitable for
driving line-level inputs.

"Kalman Rubinson" wrote in message
news
On Sat, 27 Sep 2008 16:01:24 +0100, "David Looser"
wrote:

Well not quite, what I really want is a box with a power input, one
digital
input and 6 analogue outputs and nothing else. Especially no controls of
any
sort.

AFAIK, such has never existed except, perhaps, as a test jig from a
chip manufacturer. Even so, I think you will have to accept (and
ignore) the controls. I have a Technics DD decoder and, once set up,
there's no need to use controls.

Kal

zz

"Arny Krueger" wrote in message
. ..
"David Looser" wrote in
message
Does anyone know of a "black-box" DD decoder that is
commercially available?
I've been looking for a "black box" that will take a DD
5.1 coded SPDIF input and convert to 6 line-level
analogue outputs, and have failed to find one. Plenty of
"Surround-Sound Amplifiers" (complete with power-amps,
etc.) around, but that's not what I want.

(1) There are a number of Surround Sound processors at ridiculously high
prices, but you already knew that.

(2) The Technics SHAC-500 might still be available as used equipment.

(3) You could always take one of the relatively cheap smaller surround
receivers, and pad down its speaker outputs so that they were suitable for
driving line-level inputs.

From the little I can find out about it the SHAC-500 looks like the nearest
approximation to what I actually want. But I've managed to acquire a dead
Denon AVR-1705. The mains transformer has an open-circuit primary and some
of the power transistors are suspect. Apparently it overheated in use and
the owner decided to upgrade, rather than have it repaired. (according to
the manual it's supposed to shut itself down if it overheats, that seems not
to have worked).

I've just run up the small-signal parts from bench power supplies and they
are OK. So I shall use it, taking the ouputs from what had been the feeds to
the power amps and with a redesigned, smaller power supply. Still a bit
bigger (physically) than I'd like, and with too many bells and whistles,but
it'll do the job.

David.

David Looser wrote:

Does anyone know of a "black-box" DD decoder that is commercially
available?

If you can track one down Yamaha used to make something called the
DDP-2. This was designed to work with the DSP-A592 which had a 6ch in
but no onboard AC3 decoding. It has optical and co-ax inputs for DVD/LD
and TV/DBS and responds to the same remote commands as the 592.

I've got one somewhere, boxed and perfect condition. New cost £399, make
me an offer (UK only) and if I can find it in the attic (in its box)...

--
Squirrel Solutions Ltd Tel: (01453) 845735
http://www.squirrelsolutions.co.uk/ Fax: (01453) 843773

Registered in England: 05877408

"Glenn Richards" wrote in message
. uk...
David Looser wrote:

Does anyone know of a "black-box" DD decoder that is commercially
available?

If you can track one down Yamaha used to make something called the DDP-2.
This was designed to work with the DSP-A592 which had a 6ch in but no
onboard AC3 decoding. It has optical and co-ax inputs for DVD/LD and
TV/DBS and responds to the same remote commands as the 592.

I've got one somewhere, boxed and perfect condition. New cost £399, make
me an offer (UK only) and if I can find it in the attic (in its box)...

What surround delay range does it have?

David.