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The official "Theta" thread - Page 105

post #3121 of 5098
12/27/11 at 10:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bulldogger View Post


Ok. No problems there. I intentionally did not add Circle Surround or anything new. I will have BIg Brother 52 test feedback for the new surround formats. Les what echo level do you use?

Level 2. Covers all the basic info you'd normally want.

I'd always used Crystal for setup which is no good now so never really worried about feedback for individual speaker levels for instance. I've heard that higher levels can bog things down a bit but never tried.

One of the quirks of the feedback string is no end of line or checksum so you really don't know if there's been an interruption of any sort. Just parse out the bits you want and hope. Hasn't been an issue so far but might be if you went to level 4 say. Then grabbing the 40th word in the string may be a little more quirky.

At least the CB IIIHD has a fixed response. Something the Compli Blu could use. As it is you don't always know what it meant if the response was asynchronous. Something Oppo fixed in their latter firmware with the verbose mode option.
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post #3122 of 5098
12/27/11 at 10:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Les Auber View Post

There were.only a few things I found different command wise. Source is limited to only 4 now. Mode selection still has Circle Surround in it but does nothing. Of course the new modes were added but you're better off letting the CB auto-select those. It will ignore you if it doesn't agree anyway.

Mode selection seems a little buggy. Going from DPL IIx to Stereo, for instance. Sometimes takes a couple tries. And commands other than volume should have a 2 sec pause in between. Don't send something like input 2, Source 1, Stereo without pausing. Seems to lock up pretty consistently I you do. That simple pause has left me running happy for months.

Volume wise I'm using the command that lets you set a given level as oppose to just up or down. I don't know if inc/dec needs the delay or not.

Feedback was the only thing that really changed. The new surround modes plus the added HDMI jacks. Pretty much in series after the existing stuff.

And Norm. If I missed something please let me know.

Good luck,

Les, we got a PDF from Theta last week strongly cautioning not to use the old RS-232 Codes which contain Circle Surround. I will post it tomorrow. Members can PM me for the new correct codes which I have. Norm
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post #3123 of 5098
12/28/11 at 6:27am
Thanks Norm. With Irule you download the panels but no codes or feedback are attached. The panel I made could be used with any device codes. The Theta website needs updating. The codes I am using came from the Casablanca HD section. Currently those codes include, but I did not use, Circle Surround.
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post #3124 of 5098
12/28/11 at 8:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tyree91 View Post


Les, we got a PDF from Theta last week strongly cautioning not to use the old RS-232 Codes which contain Circle Surround. I will post it tomorrow. Members can PM me for the new correct codes which I have. Norm

Thanks Norm. Rather curious to see what's different. Like BD I just omitted modes etc that aren't present.
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post #3125 of 5098
12/29/11 at 12:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim HTPC View Post




My only conclusion is its defective based on no reports of audio problems from other owners.

Did you ever get this resolved ?
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post #3126 of 5098
12/29/11 at 3:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Les Auber View Post

Thanks Norm. Rather curious to see what's different. Like BD I just omitted modes etc that aren't present.

To all Theta CB III HD users:
The dealer memo sent out by Theta pertained only to Crestron Modules, not the published RS-232 codes. Here is the full correction from John Baloff at Theta:

"Norm,

The RS-232 codes on the web-site for the CB3HD have a mistake, they include the Circle Surround Modes, otherwise they look good.

What the letter should of said.
If you are going to use a Crestron Module for the control of your CB3HD make sure it is not a CB2 or CB3 module.
To determine if the module is safe for a CB3HD check to see if the Circle Surround Modes are on the module. If the module has Circle Surround Modes on it do not use. Contact Theta to get a safe CB3HD Crestron module.

On the web-page the RS-232 commands for the CB3HD include Circle Surround Modes, do not use these commands because a CB3HD does not support Circle Surround Modes.

Does this make more sense to you. Let me know if it does not.

Regards,

John Baloff

So you can use the RS-232 commands as published, just leave out the modes that are no longer used, like Circle Surround. As for the correct CB III HD Crestron Modules, I have those for the users who need them. Hope this clears up any misunderstanding. Norm
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post #3127 of 5098
12/30/11 at 4:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tyree91 View Post


As for the correct CB III HD Crestron Modules, I have those for the users who need them. Hope this clears up any misunderstanding. Norm

A few do have Crestron.. It might be wise for them to check.
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post #3128 of 5098
1/1/12 at 5:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Armand07 View Post

Very nice. I also plan to do this.
The sound is the best I have ever heard in my setup, and that includes Accuphase and Burmester reference front-end gear. That is now sold and my new gear is just awesome!

I will do a page in Irule for the Gen VIII so that you can see the sample rate for whatever input you are using. That's the best thing about feedback for the Gen VIII. There is no current way to see that sample rate with the unit's display,but it's possible with feedback.
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post #3129 of 5098
1/1/12 at 9:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bulldogger View Post

I will do a page in Irule for the Gen VIII so that you can see the sample rate for whatever input you are using. That's the best thing about feedback for the Gen VIII. There is no current way to see that sample rate with the unit's display,but it's possible with feedback.

Using my Bryston BDP-1 medial player, in conjunction with all of my theta gear, AND using the IPad2 with MPAD as a remote music controller, MPAD tells you the sample rate as recorded on the hard drive!
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post #3130 of 5098
1/1/12 at 9:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Bruzonsky View Post


Using my Bryston BDP-1 medial player, in conjunction with all of my theta gear, AND using the IPad2 with MPAD as a remote music controller, MPAD tells you the sample rate as recorded on the hard drive!

That's great for that one source. I remember when we were trying to determine the sampling rate of the digital out of the Casablanca. Quite a few guys had Gen VIII's and the information was there all along. There was just no way to display it. I may buy the Bryston or I may not. It's being hyped so much that I confess to becoming a bit," over-exposed," to it. I think I will try the Lynx AES16 in a PC.
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post #3131 of 5098
1/2/12 at 3:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Les Auber View Post

Level 2. Covers all the basic info you'd normally want.
One of the quirks of the feedback string is no end of line or checksum so you really don't know if there's been an interruption of any sort. Just parse out the bits you want and hope.
.

I have feedback working for the Casablanca in Irule for all of the inputs,surround modes, on and off states, and mute. So far I have not figured out volume. Irule needs a formula. They are helping me with that. Also, I used a program called Docklight Scripting 1.9 at their suggestion. When I put in the IP of my portserver and the port number, it allows me to see all of the feedback the Casablanca is sending back. Of course, volume feedback is variable so I am still working there. I am just on Echo 1. Once I get volume working, I will tackle sampling rate which I believe is under Echo 2. That's all the feedback I want. I shared what I have done so far in Irule.
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post #3132 of 5098
1/3/12 at 12:19am
There's a pair of Citadel 1.5s silver for sale on Audiogon by Phoenix high end audio dealer Gary Hjerpe (Esoteric Audio). Gary's been a Theta dealer from the very first days of Theta. Although the price is a bit higher than I paid, the price is quite fair especially in view of Theta's comback. And the price is clearly below current dealer cost for a pair of new ones.

Yea, I am tempted myself!But my money has been spent on our current Kauai, Hawaii vacation, where I am posting from this very moment! My loss (I already have a pair for front left and right) is someone's gain!
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post #3133 of 5098
1/4/12 at 10:27am
Any Enterprise owners have any issues with their amps?

Two of my amps are having issues.

1) One amp's POWER INDICATOR (red/green light) clicks on and off first slowly, then rapidly (the amp turns itself on and off). I must hard power it off to stop it and when I'm not using it, and sometimes I can't even use it because the issue persists while watching a movie. Completely random.

2) The second amp's output is very quiet. Very little audio is coming out of it no matter the volume setting on the preamp.

I could send these out for repair, but my father-in-law is a service tech. If service/schematics are available, maybe he'd be able to tackle it...
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post #3134 of 5098
1/4/12 at 2:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Osadciw View Post

Any Enterprise owners have any issues with their amps?

Two of my amps are having issues.

1) One amp's POWER INDICATOR (red/green light) clicks on and off first slowly, then rapidly (the amp turns itself on and off). I must hard power it off to stop it and when I'm not using it, and sometimes I can't even use it because the issue persists while watching a movie. Completely random.

2) The second amp's output is very quiet. Very little audio is coming out of it no matter the volume setting on the preamp.

I could send these out for repair, but my father-in-law is a service tech. If service/schematics are available, maybe he'd be able to tackle it...

Not an Enterprise owner but a thought on cause as I think Theta's used the same control across the line. By any chance are you using remote 12 V triggering? If so try pulling the trigger cables from the amps and see if things settle down. Could be a cheap fix.
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post #3135 of 5098
1/4/12 at 7:53pm
Hi Les, thanks for the good suggestion, although I'm not using triggers at the moment.
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post #3136 of 5098
1/4/12 at 9:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Osadciw View Post

Any Enterprise owners have any issues with their amps?

Two of my amps are having issues.

1) One amp's POWER INDICATOR (red/green light) clicks on and off first slowly, then rapidly (the amp turns itself on and off). I must hard power it off to stop it and when I'm not using it, and sometimes I can't even use it because the issue persists while watching a movie. Completely random.

2) The second amp's output is very quiet. Very little audio is coming out of it no matter the volume setting on the preamp.

I could send these out for repair, but my father-in-law is a service tech. If service/schematics are available, maybe he'd be able to tackle it...

Michael, have you checked the Rail Fuses? If one is out while one is good you get greatly reduced and distorted output. Norm
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post #3137 of 5098
1/4/12 at 9:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Osadciw View Post

Any Enterprise owners have any issues with their amps?

Two of my amps are having issues.

1) One amp's POWER INDICATOR (red/green light) clicks on and off first slowly, then rapidly (the amp turns itself on and off). I must hard power it off to stop it and when I'm not using it, and sometimes I can't even use it because the issue persists while watching a movie. Completely random.

2) The second amp's output is very quiet. Very little audio is coming out of it no matter the volume setting on the preamp.

I could send these out for repair, but my father-in-law is a service tech. If service/schematics are available, maybe he'd be able to tackle it...

Don't blame me, folks. Michael had his chance and passed when he bought a used pair of Enterprises from somone else instead of me! I sold them shortly thereafter anyway. (Replaced by my purchase of a used pair of Citadel 1.5s on Audiogon - that was almost a year ago!)

Norm knows this stuff and that's probably the culprit!
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post #3138 of 5098
1/5/12 at 9:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Osadciw View Post

Any Enterprise owners have any issues with their amps?

Two of my amps are having issues.

1) One amp's POWER INDICATOR (red/green light) clicks on and off first slowly, then rapidly (the amp turns itself on and off). I must hard power it off to stop it and when I'm not using it, and sometimes I can't even use it because the issue persists while watching a movie. Completely random.

2) The second amp's output is very quiet. Very little audio is coming out of it no matter the volume setting on the preamp.

I could send these out for repair, but my father-in-law is a service tech. If service/schematics are available, maybe he'd be able to tackle it...

Mike,

I have hundreds and hundreds of Enterprises in the field running and i think one amp years ago had an issue but they have been stable beyond stable. Ask Bruzonsky

Your best bet is to send it into Dave Reich and let Dave fix it right for you. Opening it and trying things yourself or with your friend is not a great idea and I can assure you a quick turn around.

Let me know when you can send it in and I will expedite for you. All i ask is hat you wait till they get back from CES..

Thanks
Craig
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post #3139 of 5098
1/5/12 at 9:52pm
CES CES CES

Fun stuff coming this year my friends. A few nice things will be shown at CES and coming later in the year some really really cool things.

I know there is a lot of chatter and some rumors but what I can say is that its' all really good stuff and will continue to take the CB3HD to amazing new levels as if we are not already soaring high

I still have to pinch myself when I look at some of you guys who bought CB1 machines 15 years ago and today that machine is fully upgraded to 1.4 HDMI and doing things better than any other AV preamp on the market.. Who would have ever thought ?

Thank you all who stayed on board with Theta and upgraded and kept the CB3HD going strong !!!

More news to follow

Craig
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post #3140 of 5098
1/6/12 at 7:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by VGI View Post

CES CES CES

Fun stuff coming this year my friends. A few nice things will be shown at CES and coming later in the year some really really cool things.

I know there is a lot of chatter and some rumors but what I can say is that its' all really good stuff and will continue to take the CB3HD to amazing new levels as if we are not already soaring high

I still have to pinch myself when I look at some of you guys who bought CB1 machines 15 years ago and today that machine is fully upgraded to 1.4 HDMI and doing things better than any other AV preamp on the market.. Who would have ever thought ?

Thank you all who stayed on board with Theta and upgraded and kept the CB3HD going strong !!!

More news to follow

Craig

Craig:

Your such a tease
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post #3141 of 5098
1/6/12 at 11:42am
Hi Craig, exciting time indeed. I know you can't "talk," but I assume the good news must be related to D.r.c?
I am still learning from people on this forum, but so far one important feature that should come with Dirac is the ability to manually adjust the equalizer settings to personal taste, *after* the Dirac board has done its automated things. Is it possible for you to check if this is going to be offered please?

BTW, if/when Theta manages to pull off Dirac addition, say for anything around 5-6k, IMHO owners should thank the heavens for the CBIIIHD's upgradeability (pheeewww....). It has saved us thousands upon thousands , and perhaps two less converstion steps, AD and DA.

I'll find the quote from Sanjay (sdurani) that mentioned the manual EQ function. Apparently this is how a number of users are doing it - modifying the automated result with manual EQ.
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post #3142 of 5098
1/6/12 at 12:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by VGI View Post

CES CES CES

Fun stuff coming this year my friends. A few nice things will be shown at CES and coming later in the year some really really cool things.

I know there is a lot of chatter and some rumors but what I can say is that its' all really good stuff and will continue to take the CB3HD to amazing new levels as if we are not already soaring high

I still have to pinch myself when I look at some of you guys who bought CB1 machines 15 years ago and today that machine is fully upgraded to 1.4 HDMI and doing things better than any other AV preamp on the market.. Who would have ever thought ?

Thank you all who stayed on board with Theta and upgraded and kept the CB3HD going strong !!!

More news to follow

Craig

No SH-T!

Well, that pair of Citadel 1.5s recently listed on Audiogon is already gone. No surprise there! i luv those amps.

The Theta story is an amazing one, for a boutique small home theater and high end audio to continue on for so many years despite the HDMI changes and costs. Those of us longtime theta owners have been rewarded for our patience big time!
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post #3143 of 5098
1/6/12 at 12:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by VGI View Post

Mike,

I have hundreds and hundreds of Enterprises in the field running and i think one amp years ago had an issue but they have been stable beyond stable. Ask Bruzonsky

Your best bet is to send it into Dave Reich and let Dave fix it right for you. Opening it and trying things yourself or with your friend is not a great idea and I can assure you a quick turn around.

Let me know when you can send it in and I will expedite for you. All i ask is hat you wait till they get back from CES..

Thanks
Craig

Theta has a support section on their website. Fill it out and get an RA # and follow the instructions and ship to Theta for repair.

We have not heard complaints from Theta amp owners and as always, Craig gives us his valuable insights as a long time successful Theta dealer!
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post #3144 of 5098
1/6/12 at 2:17pm
Hi all.

Been busy with family and biz problems, so feeding my ears has been on the back-burner for a while. I see I missed a shot at a well-priced BDP-1 @ AG. Oh well, he who hesitates

Meanwhile -- I received a Squeezebox for Christmas from a well-meaning relative. Having read a wide array of mixed reviews, and considering its legacy and price-tag, I graciously smiled while offering the requisite oohs and aahs, all the while expecting nothing better than disastrous results when I connected it to my CBIIIHD (Xtreme DAC) and downloaded a 96/24 Chandos Demo from HDTracks.

Truth be told -- the sound is quite impressive.

So much so that I can't help wondering: As the Xtremes downsample signals beyond the SB's 96/24 scope, and an external DAC is not in my immediate plans, I'm going to risk the opprobrium this question might bring: Is the BDP-1 / Xtreme DAC marriage a good one given the latter's 96/24 threshold?


Best,

MS
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post #3145 of 5098
1/6/12 at 2:19pm
Sanjay's post that I found relevant to development of Dirac for CBIIIHD - the important ability to have BOTH automated and manual adjustment.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sdurani View Post

Can,

I just wanted to underscore Roger's comment above. Ideally, there are two things I would like to see room correction system do: get rid of room related problems and adjust the sound to my tastes. I'd prefer the first part be done automatically, since I don't want to sit there trying to come up with filters that bring down peaks, reduce modal ringing, smoothen the frequency response, minimize variations from seat to seat, blend the subs and speakers, etc. The second part should be user adjustable, since no machine can know what my personal preferences are.

The easiest way to do the second part is by adjusting the target curve. Rather than manual EQ, where I'd have to dial in filters to shape the sound of each speaker, I would rather edit the target curve to the sound I like and then let the system do all the hard work to conform the speaker outputs to my curve. If the upcoming Dirac room correction in your CB3HD allows you to edit the target curve, then that will make it much easier for you to get the results you want. IF the default target curve doesn't give you the sound you like, then you can pull and tug on the curve to get the shape you want and let the automated system deal with getting you there. Better than doing the work yourself with a manual EQ.
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post #3146 of 5098
1/6/12 at 3:32pm
"Is the BDP-1 / Xtreme DAC marriage a good one given the latter’s 96/24 threshold? "
*******
With an external DAC, I can't hear any difference between 96, 176, 192 using the BDP-1 as a source. Here is an opinion from Bryston about the bit/khz race ie. going to 32bit/384kHz.

"
We have looked at a few of the new DACs and from a marketing perspective it probably makes sense to go that way. From a strictly digital performance perspective the performance is really not changed much. As I have said in the past the circuits and power supply and ground planes etc. around the chosen DAC far outweighs the specific DAC used."

I suspect that Theta has all of the important "stuff" well under control at 96kHz.

Steve
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post #3147 of 5098
1/6/12 at 4:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by VGI View Post

I still have to pinch myself when I look at some of you guys who bought CB1 machines 15 years ago and today that machine is fully upgraded to 1.4 HDMI and doing things better than any other AV preamp on the market.. Who would have ever thought ?

Thank you all who stayed on board with Theta and upgraded and kept the CB3HD going strong !!!

Craig

Although I could not keep my Casablanca current for its entire lifespan, I've been on board since first ordering one on June 4th 1997, so darn close to 15 years.
Of course the important part is that I have a current unit again since receiving my upgraded CB-IIIHD a full year ago.
I could not be happier that things have turned out as well as they have Casablanca owners really lucked out with Morris Kesslers ATI taking over.

I'm incredibly happy that all these years later Theta has managed to keep the Casablanca more then just alive, it sounds more awesome then ever!!
Looking forward to the next upgrade shortly to keep the unit current and add more features....amazing!
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post #3148 of 5098
1/6/12 at 4:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by DinsdalePiranha View Post

Hi all.

Been busy with family and biz problems, so feeding my ears has been on the back-burner for a while. I see I missed a shot at a well-priced BDP-1 @ AG. Oh well, he who hesitates

Meanwhile -- I received a Squeezebox for Christmas from a well-meaning relative. Having read a wide array of mixed reviews, and considering its legacy and price-tag, I graciously smiled while offering the requisite oohs and aahs, all the while expecting nothing better than disastrous results when I connected it to my CBIIIHD (Xtreme DAC) and downloaded a 96/24 Chandos Demo from HDTracks.

Truth be told -- the sound is quite impressive.

So much so that I can't help wondering: As the Xtremes downsample signals beyond the SB's 96/24 scope, and an external DAC is not in my immediate plans, I'm going to risk the opprobrium this question might bring: Is the BDP-1 / Xtreme DAC marriage a good one given the latter's 96/24 threshold?

Best,

MS

I'm not sure which is harder to handle, audio equipment or auto accessories from well intentioned friends. Either can be like navigating a mine field to not give offense.

I've wondered the same. How much do you really sacrifice going digital into the CB from something like the Squeezebox vs something a little more upscale like the Transporter vs a BDP-1? Yes I'm sure the SPDIF signal gets cleaner with each step up but will my aging ears be able to tell the difference after it goes through the CB IIIHD's jitter jail and whatnot along with the Extreme DAC?

I do admit that it goes a bit against the grain to feed a masterwork like the CB with a Squeezebox or even scarier an iPod but how audible is it?
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post #3149 of 5098
1/6/12 at 5:05pm
"Squeezebox vs something a little more upscale like the Transporter vs a BDP-1? "
******
I have a Squeezebox, Marantz used a CD transport, Apple TV for streaming, Cambridge I-Pod/Pad dock, and BDP-1 connected to my DAC. I haven't spent a lot of time comparing but except for some really bad MP3 stuff, my 68 y/o ears can't discern much difference. That said, the BDP-1 is used as source for 2ch 90% of the time.

Steve
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post #3150 of 5098
1/6/12 at 6:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by vandevantersh1 View Post

"Squeezebox vs something a little more upscale like the Transporter vs a BDP-1? "
******
I have a Squeezebox, Marantz used a CD transport, Apple TV for streaming, Cambridge I-Pod/Pad dock, and BDP-1 connected to my DAC. I haven't spent a lot of time comparing but except for some really bad MP3 stuff, my 68 y/o ears can't discern much difference. That said, the BDP-1 is used as source for 2ch 90% of the time.

Steve

I have experience with everything from Squeezebox to Transporter to a Mac Mini into a Weiss INT202 firewire converter and now a BDP-1 as transports. The BDP-1 easily bests them all! And into a CBIII HD or GenVIII it is truely a magic combo!

My GenVIII now starts to get broken in and it is hard to go to bed some times. It is so good, I just want to sit and listen some more... Also movies with CBIII HD and GenVIII is just awesome. I feel the movie watching is brought to a whole other level!
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