Dolby True HD + Amp with no HDMI input

[lucid]

Just thought I’d chirp in here and add that the audio lab won’t process any surround formats such as Dolby digital DTS, Atmos etc, just 2 channel pcm.

The question then becomes, does what ever optical source you plug it in to support “overclocked” high res’ 2 channel downmixing. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen an option to tell any kind of player (or tv) what sample rate to output, but happy to be proven wrong. (Have however seen it in the pc sound options)

Edit: Sony x800m2 that will let you output 96/192 24bit pcm down the coaxial, so they do exist.

That then would be how I would go.

You could also test out just running an optical from the telly, and see if you can tell the difference between 96/192 and 48, if it’s minimal, then the convenience might be better just plugging the tv straight into the amp.

It might also be worth considering your use case as well - for a long time I was very 2 channel only. But eventually came to the realisation that I spent much more time watching tv/movies/games than listening to music and I should switch my focus there instead. A good surround system can still play music!

Another consideration should be room calibration - a good modern implementation (eg Dirac) makes an amazing difference. The NAD M10v2 could be worth a listen (also has HDMI eArc so time sync and can be controlled by the tv remote).

Did anyone in this thread really think that the Audiolab did AV surround processing?

Anyway, it has been possible to do 192kHz via optical for a long time. It just needs a wideband optical receiver stage and then the DACs capable of handling the signal. I had this with a TAG McLaren AV32Rbp192 back in the very early 2000s. There might be an issue if the gear is capable but the optical cable is a bit crappy. Coaxial is more robust in this respect.

 

[stuman]

What I’m ultimately after is getting lossless audio in the 2.1 setup. If I go the optical cable route, this won’t work as the optical cable won’t support this bitrate (as far as I can tell).

I think I would need this…

A Blu-ray player with HDMI out to the TV and a second HDMI audio output (carrying the lossless signal). The Blu-ray player would be

The HDMI should then carry the stereo lossless DolbyTHD signal to the receiver, which in turn carries it to the amp.

Would that not work….? Or, would it be pointless? Or…?

I was thinking there was confusion here.

But to clear up, TrueHD is a high bit rate version of Dolby Digital, part of a collection of encoded audio formats aimed at home cinema. Much like AAC, mp3, Flac MQA of the stereo world (you need a player that can decide them).

To get “Lossless” audio, you just need a way to decode, output and pass a high bitrate 2 channel pcm signal into the audiolab.

So in terms of next steps

- buy the amp and speakers (I would suggest having a listen to the m10v2 though!)

- hook them up using optical from the telly and have a look at the bitrate delivered to the amp. if not 96 or 192, have a hunt for a “pcm / optical output setting”. if it’s getting a 96/192 signal sit back, be happy.

- if not, look at a new disc spinner that can output it hook an optical lead and change settings. Sit back enjoy.