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Marantz AV8801 Preamp/Processor Official Owner's thread - Page 95

post #2821 of 6311
There is a new update for the Marantz app on iPhone, I don't know about android. It says added support for the 8801 and a long list of updates. Thought I'd mention it.
post #2822 of 6311
I think the last update added the 8801 . This one added something else and "minor bug fixes".
post #2823 of 6311
Quote:
Originally Posted by Geronimo.USMC View Post

Beautiful sub. I myself have 2x ULS15's in Rosewood. I needed them trust me wink.gifbiggrin.gif

Running 7.4 with 4x ULS 15's - it is unbelievable
post #2824 of 6311
Quote:
Originally Posted by RichB View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gotchaa View Post

Just read through the manual and there is conflicting info on DSD support. On one page it states DSD is converted to PCM, further on in the manual it clearly states that it supports DSD in Pure Direct mode, which typically means no conversion to PCM. This aligns with locked out surround modes when running in Pure mode, so I would think that it would decode DSD and output analog.

Can anyone confirm the DSD pure mode behavior?
Pure Direct is a marketing concept with some basis in reality.
What it actually does is dependant on the source and only truly understood somewhere in Japan smile.gif

The 7.1 input cannot be converted to PCM.
The XLR can be but we are not sure if they are always or sometimes converted to PCM.

All the processing, including Audyssey are in PCM.
So the product does convert DSD to PCM, at lease sometimes.

In Pure Direct it is possible if the DACs go directly to the output stages.

I am currently using the BDP-105 directly connected to the AMP.
I much prefer DSD directly converted over the PCM mode and this is all within the OPPO before it sends it to the AMP.

So I guess it comes down to, do you like the sound? smile.gif

- Rich

Most higher-end A/V processors/preamps or receivers feature so-called "direct" or "pure" modes for audio, where the audio is supposed to be channeled directly to the analog output stages with no digital processing in order to degrade the analog signal as little as possible.

In a similar manner to the direct or pure analog modes referred to above, some makers such as Onkyo/Integra or the Oppo BD players amongst others can also send the digital DSD stream over HDMI in a "direct" or "pure" mode directly to the DACs for conversion inside the DAC itself. Most higher-end DAC chips these days feature direct DSD stream conversion inside the DAC; the TI Burr Brown PCM1795 inside the AV8801 are no exception. I presume that's what Marantz means by "Sound recorded in source is played as is." on page 86 of the owner's manual. I've sent the question to Marantz's technical support. I guess that's one they'll probably answer since it's not a trade secret like the AL32 processing.

The stereo analog signals can have DSP applied to them such as bass management and Audyssey. The AV8801 therefore has an ADC chip, quite likely a TI Burr Brown since makers often prefer staying in the same family of DAC and ADC solutions. The 7.1 analog multichannel RCA inputs cannot be converted to PCM because there obviously is only one single ADC chip inside, supporting more channels would have required more ADC chips increasing the cost and complexity of the design and so most makers leave multichannel tasks to HDMI. It's still fortunate that D+M have chosen to put an ADC for stereo inside the 8801 and 4520, not all makers do.

All these questions lead one to conclude how inadequate the AV8801 owner's manual is and how much information is missing from it. When you put up the AV8801's manual against an Oppo player's manual for instance, it's pales in comparison.
post #2825 of 6311
Quote:
Originally Posted by hifiaudio2 View Post

I think the last update added the 8801 . This one added something else and "minor bug fixes".


Oh ok, I'm not hooked into my network yet so I haven't been able to try the app. I'm upgrading a few different pieces and it's a slow process but I'm getting there. New speakers are sitting in my living room still in the boxes.
post #2826 of 6311
Quote:
Originally Posted by jam88 View Post

Most higher-end A/V processors/preamps or receivers feature so-called "direct" or "pure" modes for audio, where the audio is supposed to be channeled directly to the analog output stages with no digital processing in order to degrade the analog signal as little as possible.

In a similar manner to the direct or pure analog modes referred to above, some makers such as Onkyo/Integra or the Oppo BD players amongst others can also send the digital DSD stream over HDMI in a "direct" or "pure" mode directly to the DACs for conversion inside the DAC itself. Most higher-end DAC chips these days feature direct DSD stream conversion inside the DAC; the TI Burr Brown PCM1795 inside the AV8801 are no exception. I presume that's what Marantz means by "Sound recorded in source is played as is." on page 86 of the owner's manual. I've sent the question to Marantz's technical support. I guess that's one they'll probably answer since it's not a trade secret like the AL32 processing.

The stereo analog signals can have DSP applied to them such as bass management and Audyssey. The AV8801 therefore has an ADC chip, quite likely a TI Burr Brown since makers often prefer staying in the same family of DAC and ADC solutions. The 7.1 analog multichannel RCA inputs cannot be converted to PCM because there obviously is only one single ADC chip inside, supporting more channels would have required more ADC chips increasing the cost and complexity of the design and so most makers leave multichannel tasks to HDMI. It's still fortunate that D+M have chosen to put an ADC for stereo inside the 8801 and 4520, not all makers do.

All these questions lead one to conclude how inadequate the AV8801 owner's manual is and how much information is missing from it. When you put up the AV8801's manual against an Oppo player's manual for instance, it's pales in comparison.

Great answers! I personally think the 8801 has some serious refined sound when bitstreaming a pure DSD signal from my 105 and when Audyssey is added there is no comparison. If you have an 105 though its multi performance is indeed top notch, So is the 8801's but for multi/ch sacd and the like gets the nod over the 105, However for 2/ch via xlr to the 8801's inputs from the 105 gets the nod!
post #2827 of 6311
Quote:
Originally Posted by randman View Post

Are the side panels 4U or 5U height? Did you remove the feet (although maybe for you it doesn't matter since you don't have a device under the AV8801?

Thanks.
The side panels are 4U. I have a 1U blank panel underneath the unit so I did not have to remove the feet. The 1U panel underneath was the recommended mode for the DHC-80.2 rack mount so I did not change the spacing when I installed the AV8801.
post #2828 of 6311
Quote:
Originally Posted by hifiaudio2 View Post

Yep multiple subs is one of the best upgrades you can make to your setup. Along with lots of bass trapping its the foundation of a good system.

I am sure most of you know, but its about smooth bass response over a wide area, not about volume (although you get that, too!)

It is possible to get smooth response in a single seat without multiple subs... just harder and requires more "luck".

Plenty of very good whitepapers out there about it.... search Harman, Welti, etc.

Good links and summaries from here...

http://blog.acousticfrontiers.com/whats-new/2010/10/29/using-multiple-subwoofers-to-improve-bass-the-welti-devantie.html

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming....

I hear ya on the bass traps(I have 4 one is 7" GIK monster bass trap), I v'e put in my hours on positioning as well for my speakers and feel as long as the time domain is correct for all speakers (including sub or subs) 1 good sub indeed can get the job done !Now finding that sub that doesn't want to blend but just call attention to itself has been the problem for 2ch purist like myself, My mains are more than capable of satisfactory lows for my music and even movies if need be, but a sub like the DXD12012 has the ability to blend so well it drops a smoke grenade like a ninja and disappears now bass is as beautiful as pristine highs or soulful mids wink.gif
post #2829 of 6311
Quote:
Originally Posted by jam88 View Post

some makers such as Onkyo/Integra or the Oppo BD players amongst others can also send the digital DSD stream over HDMI in a "direct" or "pure" mode directly to the DACs for conversion inside the DAC itself. Most higher-end DAC chips these days feature direct DSD stream conversion inside the DAC; the TI Burr Brown PCM1795 inside the AV8801 are no exception
this "DSD-over-HDMI" still confuses me. Isn't DSD streamed to DAC as LPCM? So these newer-generation DAC chip's (mentioned above) are decoding pure DSD stream and/or (converted) LPCM stream?

So with players such as Oppo BDP-105 (which I'm setting-up) we can specify "LPCM-over-HDMI" or "DSD-over-HDMI" from an SACD source? I'll have to read both (AV8801 and BDP-105) manuals closer
post #2830 of 6311
Quote:
Originally Posted by WestCoastD View Post

this "DSD-over-HDMI" still confuses me. Isn't DSD streamed to DAC as LPCM? So these newer-generation DAC chip's (mentioned above) are decoding pure DSD stream and/or (converted) LPCM stream?

So with players such as Oppo BDP-105 (which I'm setting-up) we can specify "LPCM-over-HDMI" or "DSD-over-HDMI" from an SACD source? I'll have to read both (AV8801 and BDP-105) manuals closer

It all comes down to the choice of letting the 105 or the 8801 convert the DSD signal , choose LPCM if want the 105 to convert the DSD to PCM and then send it to the 8801 or set the 105 to bitstream to output a native (unconverted) DSD signal to the 8801 for its decoding which I feel does very well indeed. Give both a shot and which sounds best to you in the end http://www.avsforum.com/t/1431914/marantz-av8801-preamp-processor-official-owners-thread/2820#
post #2831 of 6311
Quote:
Originally Posted by audiofan1 View Post

Great answers! I personally think the 8801 has some serious refined sound when bitstreaming a pure DSD signal from my 105 and when Audyssey is added there is no comparison. If you have an 105 though its multi performance is indeed top notch, So is the 8801's but for multi/ch sacd and the like gets the nod over the 105, However for 2/ch via xlr to the 8801's inputs from the 105 gets the nod!

I couldn't agree more, the 8801 sounds great when bitstreaming DSD DIRECT but like you, I also prefer converting it into PCM and running Audyssey MultEQ XT32 on top. I don't have an Oppo 105, just the old 83 for now but I'm contemplating getting one in the future. I also imagine, as you report, that sending multichannel DSD over HDMI and converting into PCM where one can do bass management and Audyssey will have advantages. That's also what I do with my Oppo 83 but it obviously doesn't have the Sabre Reference DACs on the analog multichannel outputs that the 105 has. Thanks for sharing your impression on this setup scenario, one I've been wondering about. When you run the 105 out through the stereo XLRs into the 8801, do you also run Audyssey on top?
post #2832 of 6311
Wanted to test out the USB DAC capabilities, but see there is no B style USB port (almost every device, and certainly every DAC I've connected to is USB A-B). Looks like I need to order a less common USB A-A cable....
post #2833 of 6311
^^^

Thrang, the AV8801 does not have an asynchronous USB DAC. The USB ports can only support USB memory devices like USB flash memory devices, USB hard drives or iPods. That's one feature that I find lacking and where Marantz should have put some effort into implementing on the 8801. In other words, you can't connect a USB cable from a PC and have that PC recognize the 8801 as an audio card, which would allow you to use a player like Winamp, Foobar 2000 or XBMC to play music directly on the 8801. We at least have DLNA as you know.
Edited by jam88 - 2/14/13 at 4:33pm
post #2834 of 6311
Quote:
Originally Posted by jam88 View Post

^^^

Thrang, the AV8801 does not have an asynchronous USB DAC. The USB port can only support USB memory devices like USB flash memory devices, USB hard drives or iPods. That's one feature that I find Marantz could have put more effort into implementing on the 8801. In other words, you can't connect a USB cable from a PC and have that PC recognize the 8801 as an audio card, which would allow you to use a player like Winamp, Foobar 2000 or XBMC to play music directly on the 8801.

Didn't know that - thanks
post #2835 of 6311
Quote:
Originally Posted by audiofan1 View Post
 I personally think the 8801 has some serious refined sound when bitstreaming a pure DSD signal from my 105 and when Audyssey is added there is no comparison.

You do know that, when Audyssey is added, the DSD is converted to PCM?

post #2836 of 6311
^^^

I'm sure audiofan1 fully realizes that Kal. BTW, which do you prefer Kal, the DSD DIRECT converted inside the DACs or the DSD signal converted to PCM with Audyssey on top? Although I haven't conducted critical listening tests between DSD DIRECT and DSD converted to PCM, I can't really say from the quick comparisons that I've done that I've heard any SQ difference between the two; I'll have to do more exhaustive listening tests. I know that some people in the audiophile community believe that DSD without conversion to PCM yields superior results but at this time, I remain somewhat skeptical.
post #2837 of 6311
Quote:
Originally Posted by jam88 View Post

^^^

I'm sure audiofan1 fully realizes that Kal. BTW, which do you prefer Kal, the DSD DIRECT converted inside the DACs or the DSD signal converted to PCM with Audyssey on top? Although I haven't conducted critical listening tests between DSD DIRECT and DSD converted to PCM, I can't really say from the quick comparisons that I've done that I've heard any SQ difference between the two; I'll have to do more exhaustive listening tests. I know that some people in the audiophile community believe that DSD without conversion to PCM yields superior results but at this time, I remain somewhat skeptical.

I have not heard any striking evidence of a big difference between PCM conversion in the player and player conversion in the prepro and I choose not to devote energy into pursuing this since I believe it is going to be very dependent on the specific components.  DSD direct without conversion or, of necessity, roomEQ has its attractions but this, too, is context dependent.

post #2838 of 6311
Quote:
Originally Posted by jam88 View Post

^^^

I'm sure audiofan1 fully realizes that Kal. BTW, which do you prefer Kal, the DSD DIRECT converted inside the DACs or the DSD signal converted to PCM with Audyssey on top? Although I haven't conducted critical listening tests between DSD DIRECT and DSD converted to PCM, I can't really say from the quick comparisons that I've done that I've heard any SQ difference between the two; I'll have to do more exhaustive listening tests. I know that some people in the audiophile community believe that DSD without conversion to PCM yields superior results but at this time, I remain somewhat skeptical.

I have done a number of comparisons between DSD Direct and PCM. In all honesty I can't tell any difference so I just leave my Oppo 103 set to PCM. I would be curious if those that say DSD Direct is superior to PCM could tell the difference in a blind comparison wink.gif.

Bill
post #2839 of 6311
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Mac View Post

I have done a number of comparisons between DSD Direct and PCM. In all honesty I can't tell any difference so I just leave my Oppo 103 set to PCM. I would be curious if those that say DSD Direct is superior to PCM could tell the difference in a blind comparison wink.gif.

Bill

I have my 105 connected directly to my AMP.
I listened Avalon SACD DSD and with the 105 converting to PCM. DVD and PCM do not sound the same to me.
I am sure some will doubt me, but hey, there must be some reason the DAC makers provide this feature.
I do not think it is a gimmick.

For the record, when I have my Onkyo PR-SC5507, I much preferred LPCM over DSD in Pure Direct mode.
I also preferred the Onkyo set to DSD Direct which according to the manual affected DSD only but actually changed the sound of the unit in all mode.
As did the THX sub setting. What I learned from all this, is that these devices do not always behave as expected, so I just set them they way I like and move along wink.gif

When I get my AV8801 setup again, I will try DSD and LPCM over HDMI.

- Rich
Edited by RichB - 2/14/13 at 9:15pm
post #2840 of 6311
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hans Christian View Post

Running 7.4 with 4x ULS 15's - it is unbelievable


HOLY CRAP!!!!!!
post #2841 of 6311
Quote:
Originally Posted by jam88 View Post

I couldn't agree more, the 8801 sounds great when bitstreaming DSD DIRECT but like you, I also prefer converting it into PCM and running Audyssey MultEQ XT32 on top. I don't have an Oppo 105, just the old 83 for now but I'm contemplating getting one in the future. I also imagine, as you report, that sending multichannel DSD over HDMI and converting into PCM where one can do bass management and Audyssey will have advantages. That's also what I do with my Oppo 83 but it obviously doesn't have the Sabre Reference DACs on the analog multichannel outputs that the 105 has. Thanks for sharing your impression on this setup scenario, one I've been wondering about. When you run the 105 out through the stereo XLRs into the 8801, do you also run Audyssey on top?


When using the XLR's I have no Audyssey engaged and use the DSD setting in the 105 for sacd playback this is the closest sound next to the 105 running straight to the amp and doesn't give up that much in terms of sound quality. This is where it pays off having good room acoustics ( bass traps, 1st reflection points and so on) and well placed full range mains, I for one can hear the difference between PCM and DSD direct in a 2ch playback session and it to me is quite noticeable. As you can tell I love having the flexablity of a reference 2/ch playback setup with a reference multi ch setup as well and both have been realized in the combo of the 8801 and 105 wink.gif
post #2842 of 6311
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson View Post

You do know that, when Audyssey is added, the DSD is converted to PCM?
eek.gif

Yes Indeed! I was referring to the Audyssey on board the 8801 coupled with its handling of the conversion to PCM and to be honest its the first time I can say I really like it eek.gif I found it very refined and not digital sounding if that helps, it preserves the core sound of DSD which I know very well , this is saying a lot of the 8801 and Audyssey which has been implemented very well it seems wink.gif
post #2843 of 6311
I'm also running an 8801 with an Oppo BDP-105 (and an Oppo BDP-83SE at the same time, and various other sources.... including a Laser Disc player!)

I'm running a standard 7.1 system. I'm using four separate amps: that's three different 2-channel amps (one for Front L/R, one for surround L/R, and one for rear surround L/R) and and a single 3-channel amp (where only one channel on this amp is used - for Center - so I actually have two more channels of amplification I could be driving...)

I've been tempted to run my Oppo BDP-105 to an amp directly to get "pure" sound - but that would mean pulling the XLR outputs from the 8801 to my front amp and then running the Oppo 105's XLRs directly to the front amp instead of running them into the XLR inputs on the 8801. That seems like a lot of hassle to switch between 2-channel and multi-channel. My question is - how do you run your Oppo to the 8801 and also directly to your AMP at the same time? Are you swapping cables to switch between multi-channel vs. 2-channel mode? I doubt it - which is why I'm asking - what's your wiring solution? Also - if you wire XLR inputs directly from the Oppo to an AMP - what's your volume control? My amp's only have one control - an on/off switch.

Thanks,
Bill
post #2844 of 6311
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill222 View Post

I'm also running an 8801 with an Oppo BDP-105 (and an Oppo BDP-83SE at the same time, and various other sources.... including a Laser Disc player!)

I'm running a standard 7.1 system. I'm using four separate amps: that's three different 2-channel amps (one for Front L/R, one for surround L/R, and one for rear surround L/R) and and a single 3-channel amp (where only one channel on this amp is used - for Center - so I actually have two more channels of amplification I could be driving...)

I've been tempted to run my Oppo BDP-105 to an amp directly to get "pure" sound - but that would mean pulling the XLR outputs from the 8801 to my front amp and then running the Oppo 105's XLRs directly to the front amp instead of running them into the XLR inputs on the 8801. That seems like a lot of hassle to switch between 2-channel and multi-channel. My question is - how do you run your Oppo to the 8801 and also directly to your AMP at the same time? Are you swapping cables to switch between multi-channel vs. 2-channel mode? I doubt it - which is why I'm asking - what's your wiring solution? Also - if you wire XLR inputs directly from the Oppo to an AMP - what's your volume control? My amp's only have one control - an on/off switch.

Thanks,
Bill

Hi Bill, the The short answer is no you can't run directly to the 8801 and amp from the 105 its one or the other, now having said that and like me you have to know how good the 105 sounds directly to amp biggrin.gif First thing you need to do is look on the top of the 105's remote next to the pure audio button and there are the volume up and down buttons, first turn it all the way down and confirm on your display but be sure in the setup menu the volume is set to variable, shut it all down amps and all and run the xlr's direct from the 105 to your amp and then after firing it all back up you get to use the volume buttons on the 105's remote which are in .5 increments if I'm not mistaken, this is a great reference point to compare the sound of the Sabre dac's in 105 to the 105 run to 8801 and the 8801's dac's but as many know already the 105 to the amp is extremely good and worth the hassle on special occasions to run it direct to the amp!

Regards

Jeff
post #2845 of 6311
Ooooooh - scary! Using the volume control built in to the Oppo 105!

I always leave my Oppo's at "fixed" volume control. Once upon a time, long ago, I thought I heard that using the Oppo volume control was a "bad thing". Using the volume control caused the Oppo to introduce another electronic step to attenuate the signal, and the addition of that step had a serious impact on sound quality? Does that sound familiar? Maybe that's a thing of the past/only on the older models?

Side note (to make this relevant to 8801 once more) - I bought an Audyssey Pro-kit recently so I can be my own Audyssey installer. I'm looking forward to finding the time to open that box up and seeing what it does to the sound of the 8801 after applying the "pro" installation of the XT 32 magic fairy dust.
post #2846 of 6311
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill222 View Post

Ooooooh - scary! Using the volume control built in to the Oppo 105!

I always leave my Oppo's at "fixed" volume control. Once upon a time, long ago, I thought I heard that using the Oppo volume control was a "bad thing". Using the volume control caused the Oppo to introduce another electronic step to attenuate the signal, and the addition of that step had a serious impact on sound quality? Does that sound familiar? Maybe that's a thing of the past/only on the older models?

Side note (to make this relevant to 8801 once more) - I bought an Audyssey Pro-kit recently so I can be my own Audyssey installer. I'm looking forward to finding the time to open that box up and seeing what it does to the sound of the 8801 after applying the "pro" installation of the XT 32 magic fairy dust.


Your good to go with volume control on the 105 in fact many on the 105 thread don't even use a pre/pro! I can attest to that direct to my Parasound Halo A21 its breathless, but as you say to the 8801 I plan to get the Pro kit latter on as for know I'm still getting use to XT32 which is pretty good and way more than I was expecting from it and after a few runs of it I finally got a great sounding calibration. I would like to hear your about your results with " Pro" so chime in and let us know!
post #2847 of 6311
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill222 View Post

Ooooooh - scary! Using the volume control built in to the Oppo 105!

I always leave my Oppo's at "fixed" volume control. Once upon a time, long ago, I thought I heard that using the Oppo volume control was a "bad thing". Using the volume control caused the Oppo to introduce another electronic step to attenuate the signal, and the addition of that step had a serious impact on sound quality? Does that sound familiar? Maybe that's a thing of the past/only on the older models?

Side note (to make this relevant to 8801 once more) - I bought an Audyssey Pro-kit recently so I can be my own Audyssey installer. I'm looking forward to finding the time to open that box up and seeing what it does to the sound of the 8801 after applying the "pro" installation of the XT 32 magic fairy dust.


The BDP-105 uses the 32 bit Sabre DAC for volume control so it does not lose resolution when you turn down the volume.

- Rich
post #2848 of 6311
Quote:
Originally Posted by RichB View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill222 View Post

Ooooooh - scary! Using the volume control built in to the Oppo 105!

I always leave my Oppo's at "fixed" volume control. Once upon a time, long ago, I thought I heard that using the Oppo volume control was a "bad thing". Using the volume control caused the Oppo to introduce another electronic step to attenuate the signal, and the addition of that step had a serious impact on sound quality? Does that sound familiar? Maybe that's a thing of the past/only on the older models?

Side note (to make this relevant to 8801 once more) - I bought an Audyssey Pro-kit recently so I can be my own Audyssey installer. I'm looking forward to finding the time to open that box up and seeing what it does to the sound of the 8801 after applying the "pro" installation of the XT 32 magic fairy dust.


The BDP-105 uses the 32 bit Sabre DAC for volume control so it does not lose resolution when you turn down the volume.

Strictly speaking the 32 bit DAC doesn't help because the output signal whether digital or analog has a fixed noise floor.

However, there is considerable mythology about digital volume controls. In fact a well-designed digital volume control does not cause audible difficulties other than the fact that softer signals produce reduced sound quality in the listening room and even in the human ear.
post #2849 of 6311
Quote:
Originally Posted by arnyk View Post

Strictly speaking the 32 bit DAC doesn't help because the output signal whether digital or analog has a fixed noise floor.

However, there is considerable mythology about digital volume controls. In fact a well-designed digital volume control does not cause audible difficulties other than the fact that softer signals produce reduced sound quality in the listening room and even in the human ear.

There is no need to worry about the BDP-105 digital volume control.

What do we know about the peroformance of the volume control in the AV8801?

- Rich
post #2850 of 6311
Do people here use "Dynamic EQ"? And if so, at what setting? (meaning 'Reference Level Offset')

I finally managed to do a full 8-point Audyssey calibration today, without outside noise etc. You cannot store more than 1 calibration it seems, the Onkyo had 2 storage locations for all its settings iirc. Well, I'm happy with my 1 calibration. smile.gif
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