Astro MixAmp or Turtle Beach?

It seems that the latest and wireless Astro MixAmp '5.8' doesn't support an RCA connection which is what I need for surround sound headphone gaming for the Wii since the Wii is compatible with Optical or HDMI. The older None-wireless Astro mix Amp does in fact support RCA but i can't seem to find that model online for sale. The newer wireless version seems to only support Optical, which would be fine for my PS3, but I don't game on my PS3 that often as it's pretty much my DVD/Bluray/Music player and I'm not sure I really care too much(depending) for headphone surround sound for movies.

Also, AstroMix seems to support Dolby Pro Logic II'X'...Now wouldn't that convert the wii's normal DPLII to 6 or 7 channels? Because that's not the way the audio for the wii was intended to be. As for Turtle Beach's MixAmp, it too supports RCA but why do i get the feeling it doesn't deliver the same audio performance as the Astro? Anyways, i can get the Turtle Beach online if it's worth considering as an option.

Oh, and I plan on using my Sennheiser HD380's(when they arrive) seems like any type of headphone is compatible which is pretty rad. Anyways...help!

Well how is the audio performance when compared to lets say a solid 7.1 receiver while using headphones which is what I'm currently using. If there's any degrade in audio quality i'll most likely pass. And the surround sound for the headphones isn't that good huh? But you said you were only listening to music....I'm interested to hear how it performs for gaming which is the only reason why I'm interested in picking one of these up in the first place. :p

If it's a crummy surround sound effect then I'll most likely pass.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mad Lust Envy 

You do get Pro Logic II from the Wii, which the wired Mixamp can work with, and IMHO actually does a slightly BETTER job of giving you surround cues than it does with Dolby Digital, though it does sound more 'processed'.

The Wired Mixamp is easily the best solution if you have multiple hookups:

RCA input for the Wii (it works wonderfully)

Optical Input for Hd system 1 (for example PS3/360)

Digital Coax input for HD system 2 (buy a simple digital coax to optical digital converter, which will give you 100% the same sound as the optical digital input. (Note: whatever is hooked up to the optical digital input on the Mixamp gets priority over everything else, in case you like having multiple systems on. You won't be able to hear the other inputs until you turn off whatever is hooked up to the optical digital input)

The wired Mixamp is kind of clutter heavy especially if you plan on getting a digital coax to optical digital converter, but it is the most versatile in terms of what you can hook up to it.

The next iteration of the Mixamp BETTER have multiple optical digital inputs... I swear. With my 5.8, I have to reach behind the Tx unit and swap optical cables whenever I wanna change from my PS3 to 360 and vice versa. All the optical switchers I used didn't work properly.
 

I'm pretty sure the Wii in general does a simulated 5.1 DPL II. But doesn't the Wired Astro only do DPLII'X' instead which would convert 5 channels to 6 or 7? eek! :p

Anyways, i wouldn't be using this for my PS3/Bluray/DVD or music just the Wii and that's that, so no need to worry about an optical cable, although i have one around here somewhere for my PS3, but I've switched to HDMI for sound since that gives my 7.1 receiver 96hz/DTS Master HD Audio for Bluray movies and yadah yadah hehe....Not sure if an optical or HDMI connection would make a difference when it comes to using headphones though.  And i hear the new wireless Astro supports a higher frequency, too bad it doesn't support RCA cables. Sigh* If only there was some sort of RCA to Optical Adapter.or is there?

Anyways, when you say that the DPLII from the Astro for the Wii sounds processed, do you mean how the Astro deals with the audio? or just how DPLII for the Wii sounds processed in general when using a surround sound system? By no means does it sound as good as Dolby Digital, but it's still awesome to hear that full 3D world of sound in Super Mario Galaxy for example....Hearing goomba's running up behind you or a water fall pouring to your rear/right is pretty spectacular and quite immersive. 

But ya, I'd be totaly crushed if the Astro Mix offered inferior 2 channel sound(for ex) compared to using my 7.2 Receiver. I don't think i could settle for anything less, just more with the flippin' inclusion of the Astro's ability to pump out surround sound in your very own headphones.

Ugh! If only my Walls were ultra sound proof, then i could actually use and blast my 5.1 surround sound system for gaming and movies. But for now I gotta settle for headphones. I'm still incredibly stoked about getting my HD380's.....Hardly any sound leakage and you get Isolation, hell yes! And superior bass compared to the HD555's which i also have....But I'm worried that the 380's sound stage won't quite be as nice, but close.

eek! Receiver it is,which I'm sticking with. lol  i don't think i could deal with the inferior 'less-Clear' Audio from the wired Astro MixAmp even while getting Simulated Surround Sound. That's the deal breaker for me folks! :p BUT, it seems like the wireless MixAmp offers a much higher frequency and people are saying that the audio sounds amazing....Unless i can magically stir up an Optical to RCA adapter i might be in. But the Wii's only RCA compatible while the Wireless AstroMix only supports Optical.

Looky at what i found on eBay hehe. Looks like my Wireless Optical 'only' Astro MixAmp problem is solved....Hopefully that is. This little baby is an RCA to Optical adapter which I'm guessing would work with the Wireless Astro giving you an RCA quality connection and letting you get DPLII. Would this work with the Wireless Astro? and because the Wireless astro is rocking a much higher frequency than the older model I'm guessing the difference between the sound quality with it compared to my current 7.1 receiver would be zero.