The official Theta Owners Thread - Page 353 - AVS Forum

DinsdalePiranha · 05-31-2016, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cannga

1. Interesting question. Have you actually tried, HDMI out from your TV to Casablanca, and it doesn't work?

2. I use a separate box for streaming and would vote for this. It's simple and cheap enough.

BTW in my experience, Dolby Digital Plus is good but it is NO match for the full lossless audio of Blu-ray. 192 kbps means there is a huge amount lossy compression, and unfortunately Cable Companies & Internet Service Providers will keep it there for foreseeable future. We watched first four seasons of Game of Thrones on Blu-ray's and were so disappointed when we switched to streaming subsequently.

I haven’t tried it yet, but will when my 2nd 10m HDMI cable arrives in a few days. I suspect that a run from SONY ARC-enabled HDMI in to any CB HDMI in jack will work. If not, there’s also a TOS output on the set. From what I understand, ARC does NOT support the new lossless codecs anyway, so a TOS fallback might yield results identical to ARC.

With streaming apps moving to 4K and HDR, running them natively on the Smart-TV might be the best overall Audio / Video solution. I’ll have my opinion on the matter soon ……

stevekale · 06-02-2016, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bulldogger

The best quality is currently only through analog as there are no software decoders with digital outs. Bob Stuart is saying the even without MQA being decoded it will still sound better than what we have been streaming. Right now, to hear full quality MQA, there will need to be hardware inside the box.

To put this more broadly, for best quality the MQA decoder needs to "know the DAC" which means a customised-to-DAC hardware solution will always be best.

stevekale · 06-02-2016, 09:04 AM

Forgive me if I missed it but has there been any update on ATI's deployment of Hypex NC500-based amps?

thezaks · 06-02-2016, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevekale

Forgive me if I missed it but has there been any update on ATI's deployment of Hypex NC500-based amps?

Good question. I tried looking at the website, but both the ATI and Theta websites have been down since yesterday. I phoned ATI yesterday and they noticed the problem, but both websites are still down today...

Dave

Stereojeff · 06-02-2016, 03:41 PM

Websites are up and running now.

Jeff

Stereojeff · 06-02-2016, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevekale

Forgive me if I missed it but has there been any update on ATI's deployment of Hypex NC500-based amps?

ATI NC-500 based amplifier availability: Soon.

Jeff

Rod#S · 06-02-2016, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stereojeff

Websites are up and running now.

Jeff

What websites?

jdlynch · 06-02-2016, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rod#S

What websites?

Originally Posted by stevekale

Forgive me if I missed it but has there been any update on ATI's deployment of Hypex NC500-based amps?
Good question. I tried looking at the website, but both the ATI and Theta websites have been down since yesterday. I phoned ATI yesterday and they noticed the problem, but both websites are still down today...

Dave

Rod#S · 06-02-2016, 06:20 PM

Ah, thanks

Steve Bruzonsky · 06-02-2016, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stereojeff

ATI NC-500 based amplifier availability: Soon.

Jeff

I heard about this some time ago but I know how to keep my mouth, pen and fingers typing shut! HA! It is [email protected]@@ (A "Borg phrase"?)

stevekale · 06-03-2016, 02:21 PM

Yeah like when you read post 10370 on the 3rd of March? Jeff said then they were 2.5 months away and hence why I was asking for an update...

Jeff, when you are ready to share can you post here as well - even though they're not technically Theta. I'd be interested to hear what choices you made regarding supply and input buffer configuration as well as pricing etc.

Steve Bruzonsky · 06-03-2016, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevekale

Yeah like when you read post 10370 on the 3rd of March? Jeff said then they were 2.5 months away and hence why I was asking for an update...

Jeff, when you are ready to share can you post here as well - even though they're not technically Theta. I'd be interested to hear what choices you made regarding supply and input buffer configuration as well as pricing etc.

[Post 10370]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stereojeff

Your psychic powers are working well.

2.5 months away. ATI brand. 2 to 8 channels. 3RU. Universal voltage sensing. Will release more details as we approach launch.

Jeff

Actually, I heard about it a long time before that post, too! I know how to keep my mouth shut! HA!

dancjodanc · 06-10-2016, 12:09 PM

I'm looking at new speaker wire for my CBIV, and my Kef's, Reference 1's, and LS50 as surrounds.
Audioquest is what I'm looking at. The wire will be run through a wall, so it has to be flexible!
And I have to have a 16' pair because of the set up I have...so can't do the top of the line for this, too $.
Suggestions? Anyone using Audioquest speaker wire?

AV Doogie · 06-10-2016, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dancjodanc

I'm looking at new speaker wire for my CBIV, and my Kef's, Reference 1's, and LS50 as surrounds.
Audioquest is what I'm looking at. The wire will be run through a wall, so it has to be flexible!
And I have to have a 16' pair because of the set up I have...so can't do the top of the line for this, too $.
Suggestions? Anyone using Audioquest speaker wire?

You wouldn't need anything special for speaker wire, CL2 rated and somewhat large gauge (12AWG?) is what I look for.... I have used Monster, Audioquest, ADI versions of CL2 wire and can not seem to find any difference.

http://www.monoprice.com/Category?c_...FVc1aQod_k4D4Q

rhale64L7 · 06-10-2016, 02:31 PM

I used Kimber kwik 12 and I love it for running through the walls.

Theta and Mc's · 06-17-2016, 01:46 PM

Anybody have any news on the Casablanca IVA or E? Haven't heard any news for a while now!

kevinlg · 06-19-2016, 05:37 PM

One likes tubes the other solid state

Steve Bruzonsky · 06-19-2016, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinlg

One likes tubes the other solid state

You've got a real "pussy" of an audio system that really "purrs" along!

kevinlg · 06-19-2016, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Bruzonsky

You've got a real "pussy" of an audio system that really "purrs" along!

Witty, I love it!

cannga · 06-23-2016, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinlg

One likes tubes the other solid state

Real cute - the preamp too not just the pussy cat

. That's a beautiful preamp; I always love the McIntosh blue meter.
Really funny how the cat zero'ed in on the warmth of tubes.

dancjodanc · 06-26-2016, 05:30 PM

I've mentioned in a past thread about wanting a music service. Headless. Just plug in a hard drive, let it do it's thing, and use an iPad to control it.
Auralic, aurender....looking at those company's, and Elac because it comes with Roon installed!
My concern is MQA and the future...and it's future with Theta. Aurender only has USB out, so I'd have to buy and converter for the CBIV, unless the new CBIVa update includes
a USB input?
Aurender has many outputs...but I read that MQA will only work on devices that have analog out's only.....they won't support a digital out on a device.
Then I just read that Bluesound is updating to MQA, as a software update....but the Node 2 has analog and digital outs? How can it support MQA with digital out's?

I'm just trying to make an educated buy, but some of this information is conflicting?

Bulldogger · 06-27-2016, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevekale

To put this more broadly, for best quality the MQA decoder needs to "know the DAC" which means a customised-to-DAC hardware solution will always be best.

They seem to be willing to work with companies doing their own digital filter designs as per comments made by Bob Stuart in response to PS Audio. http://www.audiostream.com/content/p...2dpioU8qEyq.97 Much of how much restriction is placed upon MQA I suspect will depend upon how successful it is. Once they figure out their limitations, we may see decoders everywhere. I think MQA is going to fail however. https://benchmarkmedia.com/blogs/app...855-is-mqa-doa Mike Moffet ,formerly of Theta Digital, http://schiit.com/news?m

Bulldogger · 06-27-2016, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dancjodanc

I've mentioned in a past thread about
Auralic, aurender
Then I just read that Bluesound is updating to MQA, as a software update....but the Node 2 has analog and digital outs? How can it support MQA with digital out's?

I'm just trying to make an educated buy, but some of this information is conflicting?

No decoded MQA via the digital outs on the Bluesound. Once decoded, it goes straight to the devices dacs. MQA will not allow the decoded signal to be output via digital. They will help other companies design filters but will not allow a decoded MQA signal via digital out. I contacted Bluesound and asked.

dancjodanc · 06-27-2016, 06:32 PM

So MQA will be analog. Othewise, the digital outs will work on the Bluesound? The digital is disabled for MQA only? I was going to call Bluesound..could not find a number.
They seem to be the only one talking about MQA right now. But as your links stated...it could fail? Maybe I should just get one of the highly rated Aurender or auralic and be done with it!

ANRE · 06-29-2016, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Bruzonsky

Since I use a Theta CBIV SSP, 3 external Theta Gen VIII DACs, and five Theta Prometheus monoblocks, here's something really interesting sonicwise for Theta luvers!

EGADS! ROON has just got WAY better in my audio/home theater [email protected]@@

My ROON setup, until tonight, was as follows:

CAPSv4 (Computer Audiophile forum server, version 4), USB out. With Roonserver loaded, designated as my primary music computer for ROON, because ROON would only use the USB out from the primary music server.

iPad Pro with the iPad Pro app for ROON, used as a controller only.

Also a Toshiba laptop, with the full RoonInstaller loaded, but used only as a controller as well.

_______________

Tonight, as I started listening to music with ROON, an auto ROON software install came up and loaded. I checked and found out the ROON version is now 1.2. And version 1.2 also has RoonBridge software, which now allows the full RoonInstaller to be installed on a computer remote, that is, from the media server that is outputting the USB music!

Now my ROON setup, as of late last night (Tuesday night) (EXCITING!) is:

CAPSv4 (Computer Audiophile forum server, version 4), USB out. With Roonserver and RoonBridge loaded, designated as a remote computer for ROON.

CAPSv3 Zuma (Computer Audiophile forum server, version 3) (modded a bit). I use this media server only for multi-channel out via HDMI using JRiver Media Center software (as ROON does not at this time do multi-channel audio). But NOW I have loaded the main RoonInstaller, the full ROON program, and I have this computer designated as primary for ROON. ROON’s database is now on this computer. This computer does all the filing, searching, internet connections, audio processing, etc now for ROON and my 2 channel audio – then the audio file goes through my wi-fi network to the CAPSv4 and out its USB. HA!

iPad Pro with the iPad Pro app for ROON, used as a controller only.

Also a Toshiba laptop, with the full RoonInstaller loaded, but used only as a controller as well.
____________________________

ROON as configured prior to tonight, in my system, sounded better than JRiver Media Center 21, for stereo!

By moving all the PC “work” and “processing” over to the CAPSv3, the sonic improvement is astounding and [email protected]@@

ROON is a terrific audio playing program for audiophiles and music luvers! Its metadata capabilities alone are reason to use ROON. But its audio quality particularly when you use a separate computer for the ROON processing, etc (as I use the CAPSv3), and use a media server pretty much only to pass on the audio signal (as I use the CAPSv4), is second to none! I am blown away! I wonder how long I will stay up listening to music tonite? Its already 2 AM!

Do you have a Tidal Hi-Fi subscribtion ?
If so, have you notice that Tidal sounds better than your ripped CD's ?
Have you tried the HQ player ?
If yes, notice any difference in SQ ?

ANRE · 06-29-2016, 06:19 PM

I have long time waited for a network interface and/or a USB interface on either Gen 8 or the Casa. Now with the Sonore microRendu available, I'm not so sure if this should be a priority for Theta to implement.
MQA support may be more important, and Roon ready.

However Roon support may require USB or network interface if I have understood this correctly.

A USB to SPDIF converter eliminate the need of USB interface. Berkely and m2Tec have one of the best available.

It would be interesting to see if the Gen 8 will receive MQA and/or Roon support first.
If I got it right, it will take some time, if ever, before MQA will be multichannel, so that may favor the Gen 8. And maybe easier to implement on the Gen 8.

It will be interesting to see which direction Thata choose on these things.

Here is some interesting reading about USB:
http://www.digitalaudioreview.net/20...uality-varies/
You may find some other nice articles on that site.

Roon is now available for Qnap and Synology NAS, so no need for a PC anymore as well.

So to me it seems with very reasonable priced technology available now, USB and network interface can be solved, and with excellent results.

That leave us with MQA implementation as first priority. Which I believe should be quite straight forward. At least for the Gen 8.

Any thoughts ?

ANRE · 06-30-2016, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dancjodanc

I keep reading about MQA. All the components in the chain have to be MQA compatible, right?
Wondering where that leaves the CBIV down the road? Then I read somewhere that it will only be
output through analog. Anyone know if that's true?
I'm in the market for a new music server...looking at the Elac Discovery, with Roon....but don't want
to buy something and not have it be at least somewhat future ready for MQA.

Not sure what you mean by all components, but basicly as today only the DAC needs to be MQA certified.

However the technology (or philosophy as Bob calls it), will at some time open for MQA in SW.

Roon's plan is to do this an automatically way by two way communication with present USB DAC's. If they are allowed to implement SW MQA.

For a SPDIF interface you would need to tell the software what DAC you are using.

It is very unclear to me if this only relate to the DAC chip, or the whole DAC.
MQA (the company) may sell you the DAC chip SW, but DAC manufacturers may like an other approach.

Also you may suspect the best SQ will come from a MQA DAC.

The only reason IMO to use MQA is together with Tidal, or any other future streaming services that support MQA.

I think it is technical possible and probably easy to implement MQA in Gen 8. Maybe harder to do in the CB ?
And I think Theta should tell us what to expect.

Also remember that even a non MQA system will benefit from MQA material.
If you like to test MQA today, probably Meridian Explorer DAC is the easiest and cheapest solution.

As music server, a NAS is probably the cheapest and best, since you now get Roon for Qnap and Synology. I like Qnap best. You need one with i3 or i5 processor. Other Linux options at a much higher cost are available. And Computer Audiofile is a good source to learn more about it.

However I personally doubt a dedicated Linux music server like Aurender will outperform a NAS with the MicroRendu.
I rather spend money on the DAC, and how you power the MicroRendu. And power conditions.

ANRE · 06-30-2016, 04:36 AM

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/co...-s-bob-stuart/

ANRE · 06-30-2016, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyree91

I'm told by Theta that they are looking at MQA, but after the CB IV A is finished. Norm

And did they tell you when CBIVa is ready ?

ANRE · 06-30-2016, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bulldogger

If that statement is true, it means the Casablanca with X3 dacs is the best bargain in the history of audio. I'm wondering what Theta did to make it "smoke" a Gen VIII with many of the same parts used in both? To say I'm skeptical is putting it mildly. Theta doesn't even say that the new dacs are better than a Gen VIII.

I was advices by Theta to keep my Gen8. And Steve B is not selling his either

And we do not yet know which product get the planned USB interface first, do we ? Nor MQA support.

Also when my CB goes for upgrade I still have my Gen 8 to use.

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