[George33027]

I know I am not in the mainstream.

I am looking for stand alone dolby decoders.

Some people responded to me about the Klipsch promedia DD-5.1 which so far is an excellent choice. Availability is a little hard.


Then an ADS-2000 what ever that is.


It seems to be only game related units.

 

[Bigus]

Marantz DP870.


If you can find one (used) that someone has already upgraded with the DTS chip, it's a great unit. Well, it's great even without the upgrade, but that upgrade is so expensive it's well worth it to let someone else cover the charge and you just pay a small premium for that option on a used unit. It covers the basics, sounds pretty good, and has the connectivity pretty much covered. My only complaint is that the sub output isn't enabled when it's decoding a stereo PCM signal, which would have been a nice function to enable it to be used as an outboard DAC/Pre for a transport or other source. I think that you can mod it to make that work, but I've never taken the time to do it.


When I was searching for a stand alone unit, it seems like there was also a Sony or Technics processor. Oh, and I think Rotel has a pretty nice outboard unit. All of these I've mentioned have 6 channel analog in/out with bypass modes, so they work great with any prologic preamp or receiver with analog outputs.

 

[BGLeduc]

Sony had the SDP-E800. I have one, and still use it for OTA HD, Satellite DD.


It can a bit noisy (by that I mean hiss), but that is really only an issue at reference level... I never listen that loud. If you calibrate to 85dB, and keep the levels at about -20 to -10dB (which is still pretty damn loud), you will not have a problem.


I expect they can be had used for pretty short money. New they were only $400. Had mine since '97. It has some pretty cool soundfield simulations (several of the Sony dubbing studios and theaters were simulated). Fun to play with, and not at all a cavern of reverb as you might think.


The other mentioned products were probably better, but they were and probably still are more money.


BGL

 

[Bigus]

FYI, a Marantz DP870 sold recently on www.audiogon.com for $100 without the DTS upgrade. Might want to keep an eye out over there for one, or post a wanted add for either that or the Sony model.


Also FYI, there is an auction on ebay right now for the Rotel unit I mentioned, the RDA-980. Unfortunately, after looking at it more closely, it doesn't appear to have the analog pass through I thought it did. Looks like a proprietary connection has to be used between it and an older Rotel preamp/processor. Oh well... there's still the Sony and Marantz options.

 

[Diode1]

The Sony SDP-EP9ES is a Great unit.

Retail was about $800.

No dts, that can be upgraded at a cost.
http://www.happymedium.com/sonyep9.htm

btw: if this looks good to you drop me a pm.


Technics has SH-AC300 with DD & SH-AC500 DD&dts

An SH-AC500 just sold today at audiogon for $125.

He posted the ad yesterday and deleted it after the sale today.


Jerry

 

[vfrjim]

I also reccomend the Technics SH-AC500, I have used one for the last year as a companion for my DD/DTS ready Yamaha Receiver and could not be more happy, it will stay with my receiver till I sell it because without it, the receiver is pretty much useless IMO. They are a tough item to find nowadays.


Jim

 

[SRR]

I have a Denon DD decoder sitting here taking up space; let me know by a PM if your interested. Its the Denon AVD-2000, plenty of hits come up on google if you do a search on it.

 

[abenamou]

I have the Technics DD&DTS stand alone decoder I would be willing to part with. I am upgrading my receiver, so I really have no need for it anymore. Please PM me if you're interested

 

[George33027]

Thanks to all.

So far there seems to be a few more than I knew about.

I think a decoder with a remote is the way to go.

So far I think the models that fit the bill are:

Klipsch DD-5.1

Midiland ADS-2000

Sony SDP-E800

Technics SH-AC500


Don't know if the Technics AC300 can do DTS?


Found Marantz DP-870 but none state the DTS chip


Can't find Denon AVD-2000


Looks like audiogon.com and ebay are the only "used" areas that advertise.

 

[Diode1]

Quote:

Don't know if the Technics AC300 can do DTS?

No, as I stated above the 300 is only DD (Dolby Digital AC-3)

Be very careful with that Sony SDP-E800 it is a noisy unit.

Since the Sony SDP-E800 has no dts, I would rather find SDP-EP9ES

for just a few $'s more.

Good Luck on your hunt.


Just for reference I have had these in the past.

Sony SDP-E800

Sony SDP-EP9ES

Marantz DP-870

Technics has SH-AC500

Technics has SH-AC300

Also if I remember correct an old Adcom unit

Maybe it was the Denon, I would have to look over old records.

Edit: I checked my records and it was the Yamaha DDP-1.

The best in this list, IMO for dts SH-AC500.

Over all best SDP-EP9ES, if you can do without dts

-Jerry

 

[Diode1]

 Here is some Denon info

 

[George33027]

I think DTS is a must, since my main objective is to decode the Dolby signals from a High Def. Sat. decoder.

The Mits HD5 can send out the optical digital signal, and I need a decoder to provide 5.1.

I have a DVD with a decoder built in but it's input is only the DVD.

It has optical and coaxial and 5 channel outputs.

 

[Diode1]

I have had sat for 10+ years, I do not even recall one show that they have past a dts signal, DD 5.1 yes but not dts that I recall.

dts is not needed to decode Dolby Digital 5.1,

I currently have three High Def. Sat. decoders,

Had maybe 7 or 8 models in all.

I have the Hughes E86, They are the same as the Toshiba 3000 and your Mit's unit, All made by Hughes.

Take further time to do more research.

-Jerry

 

[George33027]

Thanks, will do.

You are probably correct, and I am getting confused with DD 5.1 and DTS.


I think i have to go back to Dolby and reread some things.

What is your interpretation of dts ?

Is it just for gaming?

 

[Diode1]

Quote:

What is your interpretation of dts ? Is it just for gaming?

No I would not say that.

dts and Dolby Digital is like any other type of formats.

Some movies have excellent dts sound tracks on DVD,

while there are some that come with both dts & DD and the DD track

is superior to the dts track, This is a case by case basis as to how they mixed the tracks, My taste is for dts when mixed well over DD.

Keep in mind none of these above decoders have dts-ex or dts-es support for a six or even seven channels.

So it will only be dts 5.1 and DD 5.1 & DD 2.0 with your standard Pro Logic + built in dsp modes.

-Jerry

 

[George33027]

Just read my Mits DVD and your are right.

DTS is another format that may be on DVD.


My DVD can decode DD 5.1 and has coaxial and optical outputs for DTS, DD 5.1 and DD 2.0 bitstreams.


I assume if DTS is on DVD, there is also DD 5.1.

Could there be only DTS and NO DD 5.1 on a DVD ?

 

[Diode1]

Quote:

Could there be only DTS and NO DD 5.1 on a DVD ?

I have only came across this with dts music CD's.

Just that one music track,

I never have had a dts only movie DVD.

Do you have a receiver at this time?

If you do, does it have 5.1 analog inputs?

If it does you should not need a outboard decoder,

Just use a DVD player that outputs the audio via the 5.1 analog outs

into your current setup.

-Jerry

 

[George33027]

That is what I was going to do, but since I want DD 5.1 on my High Definition unit (DirecTV has it for HBO-HD and Over The Air movies) I need a decoder for it.

Now I have a switch problem, so, if I got a decoder with at least 2 digital inputs, and a remote, I can switch between the STB and the DVD using the same decoder. Then hook the output of the decoder to 2 sets of amps and speakers.

I have a old McIntosh amp with 2 large speakers, and a second amp with book shelf speakers (which I plan for the left and right rear speakers).


As you say, I can right now hook up the system from the DVD.

It is the DirecTV STB which sometimes shows movies with DD 5.1 that I can not decode or use.

That is why I am looking for a "used" decoder to fill the spot at this time.


So far, the Klipsch DD 5.1 with remote seems to fit the bill.

Then as you said the Technics SH-AC500 may be another good fit.

 

[Diode1]

Quote:

As you say, I can right now hook up the system from the DVD.

Only do this if the DVD player has some kind of volume control as most do NOT.

Or if your using the volume control of a receiver or pre pro.

Or if the amps have output controls.


If you are only looking for a cheap decoder that will only handle sources that output digital like: DVD,SAT,CD,Mini DISC, so-on.

Then most of these will do the trick, you can use them as a stand alone pre as well as decoder.

Some have more inputs then others as well as other features.

Some have fixed cross-overs and other limits.

All of these are remote controlled.

Again, Do you plan to add this to your current setup or just use this as your main controller?

If your adding it, What is it you have now?

-Jerry

 

[Versa]

I have an ADS 4000 that I bought for 129$
http://www.midiland.com/proddetail.a...r=60&category=



Its decent. It decodes DTS and DD. Does a decent job. The only shortfall i see is that the RCA analog outputs are a bit underpowered, I can't seem to crank my stereo as high as I was with my old receiver acting as both the preamp and amp. It still gets rather loud though.