I am trying to find out what is the easiest way to convert the VP50´s digital audio out to plain vanilla analog 2-ch stereo.

I do not want to put to my rack a new large AC3/DD/DTS/PCM decoder, but to get a small box that just converts everything from coax or spdif audio from my VP50 audio out to 2-ch analog audio.

The reason why I ask this is because I want to connect my VP50 to my Panny PW6 analog RCA in -connectors.

This far I have found that one possible solution could be a small decoder that comes with some new 5.1 headphones? The problem with these new small external units coming with the 5.1 headphones, is that I am not sure if they support (in my case Pioneer 59Avi DVD-player and Topfield 5100 Cable TV set top box) audio formats or they do not have external power supply (this kind of battery operating small decoders work only some hours with batteries).

Any ideas are welcome.

Br,

AM_F

So let me understand, are you using a reciever or is this a remote second tv?


One option is to get a switcher like the Zektor 4.1 hts. It is designed for component video switching but could be used for optical/coax switching, analog 5.1 or 2 ch switching. and it has discrete codes for swtiching

That wasy you could connect your devices analog 2 ch connections to it and when you call up whichever source you could switch the audio as well as the video (VP50)

If I understood correctly this HDS4 is not the solution I am looking for.

I want to find a small external device that will convert audio signals from VP50´s spdif or Coax digital audio output to analog audio domain, i guess this HDS4 not doing any media conversion?

I do not want to connect my VP50 to my dedicated high end audio system, but directly to my Panny PW6 (which does not have any digital audio inputs). I also want to hide this possible small new box far behind the equipment rack :)


Br,

AM_F

I am trying to find out what is the easiest way to convert the VP50´s digital audio out to plain vanilla analog 2-ch stereo.

The reason why I ask this is because I want to connect my VP50 to my Panny PW6 analog RCA in -connectors.AM_FYes, I have the same type of connection. You can buy any (old) Sony minidisk recorder, they have digital in/analog out. Or you could buy a Sony portable minidisk recorder, you have to set these to record/pauze, uses less than 1 watt and can be had on eBay for $ 30 or so. A M-audio device should also work, but i did'n test one myself. But take note that you have to downmix to stereo using your input devices.

You might try something like the Monster Cable Entech Number Cruncher Digital-to-Analog converter. I think it goes for $50-60.

These products mentined above sound both very interesting, few additional questions:

About Sony recorder: is it possible to leave it on for infinite time, i.e. boot and forget?

about both Sony and Number Cruncher: Do they really both pass thru any 44/48 kHz signals from spdif or coax (DD/AC3 2.0 or DTS), to analog 2-ch domain?

I guess both solutions mentioned are EOL, so do you know any other small and inexpensive solutions that still exist as commercial and supported products?

Br,

AM_F

The Entech Number Cruncher is not an audio decoder, so it can not convert DD or dts to PCM and in turn in to an analog (Left/Right) signal. It can however convert all PCM signals to analog, so you will need to force your sources to NOT output DD/dts for this to work.

The Entech Number Cruncher is not an audio decoder, so it can not convert DD or dts to PCM and in turn in to an analog (Left/Right) signal. It can however convert all PCM signals to analog, so you will need to force your sources to NOT output DD/dts for this to work.
Slightly off-topic, but the Number Cruncher was the absolutely perfect product for me when I needed to decode the PCM output from the Toshiba ET20 projector. The projector includes an audio delay for its video processing, but has no analog output (major oversight). The Number Cruncher was the only DAC I found that cost less than $400, and I got it on ebay for $60. PCM decoding was all I needed. (I set the DVD player to decode AC3 and DTS to PCM. Also, the projector had analog audio input and generated PCM output after delaying it.)

A volume control on the Number Cruncher would have been nice, but I think this product was originally targeted at the market who would buy a volume control as a separate unit, also costing $300-$400, probably spending a good portion of that on each cable in the chain. At least judging by the manual to the Cruncher, which recommended such things. And recommended burning in the unit for a month before evaluating it...blech. Glad I got it at liquidation price.

About Sony recorder: is it possible to leave it on for infinite time, i.e. boot and forget?AM_FYes, unless power goes down, then you have to set it again.

about both Sony and Number Cruncher: Do they really both pass thru any 44/48 kHz signals from spdif or coax (DD/AC3 2.0 or DTS), to analog 2-ch domain
AM_FNo, you have to set all your input devices to stereo downmix in PCM format. Same requirement as mentioned for the Monster Cable Entech Number Cruncher Digital-to-Analog converter, so it seems.