2. home-theater
  3. 156414-4917

Inexpensive AV Processor with bypass

Hi, I currently have a 5.1 system centred on an old Primare P30 processor. Unfortunately t does not properly decode Dolby Digital + or Atmos. I would prefer not to have to replace the processor.

Q1: is there any device which can convert Dolby Digital + and Atmos into old-fashioned Dolby Digital?

Q2: in order to maximise audio quality my system has a separate high quality DAC which, for music, feeds through the processor in bypass mode, thus avoiding conversion of the analogue signal back to digital. Is their an inexpensive processor which has: Dolby Digital, Atmos, and a similar bypass mode? Balanced XLR connections preferred. Sound quality need not be top notch, as it´s for movies only, not my priority. Thanks!

garbo
erik_squires
15,647 posts
 
With my LG I used the TV to do the conversion. It outputs either stereo or 5.1 via the optical output from HDMI sources.

I use Roku as my source more often than the TV because it has channels my LG does not, but the LG and Roku apps both come out the optical out, and it worked great to my stereo DAC, but I've since gotten an Anthem AVP (old school, no Atmos) and am using the ARC (which has a dedicated HDMI connection).

Best,

E

garbo OP
27 posts
 
Thanks for your comments. It seems the problem might lie with my TV, which would be annoying as it is a brand new top range Samsung Q90. It appears that when external sources are connected by HDMI into the TV and Toslink audio out, then there is no option but to have the audio in PCM format. Other sources are enabled for Dolby Digital. I need to play with it for while. This article is useful:

https://www.rtings.com/tv/tests/inputs/5-1-surround-audio-passthrough
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
Hi garbo.  I have the same exact problem with my Oppo 103 player.  When I stream netflix, it normally comes down in Dolby Digital Plus format.  When I try to use digital COAX, it just doesn't work.  I only get the left/right channel, or I have to tell the Oppo to convert to PCM (like your TV).  I didn't seem to have this problem when streaming netflix over a Sony bluray player and outputting on digital COAX.
garbo OP
27 posts
 
Ok, this might make me look stupid, but here goes; it wasn´t stated in the instructions: the TV settings are source specific. I was able to change my sound setting for Netflix to DD and now I get it in surround!

I am unable to do similar for external sources (my computer) connected to the TV via HDMI; sound via Toslink from the TV seems to be in stereo. However, there appears to be a work around; I tried the HDMI link just for the picture and took the accompanying audio direct from my Mac to the processor, via  USB/SPDIF converter to get it to the Coax input. The sound is far superior. Maybe not definitive; still working on it.
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
That's great!   Good luck on the s/pdif.  A USB/SPDIF reclocker like the Wyred 4 Sound "uLINK" can really improve your sound, but they can definitely get expensive.  They are much better than the $30 converters on amazon/ebay.  You could experiment with cheap one first.  A lot of this 5.1 audio is from configuration in your computer and software.  I know that JRiver media player does support 5.1 digital output for surround sound through both HDMI and SPDIF.  You could also try a bluray player software, such as PowerDVD, if you wanted.
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