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Hi all,
i just ordered a Smyth Realizer and i need a little bit of help from you guys...
I have a Bryston BHA-1 amp, a Bryston BDA-1 DAC and a Sennheiser HD800 headphones all connected with XLR cables.
i wanna use the realizer for movies and my source for the movies is a Kaleidescape M500 player (i have a Kaleidescape server with almost 5000 movies). the problem is that the K player doesn't decode the audio format so i need to put something in between to decode the signal and send it to the realizer. i would not like to have to get a big processor or pre-amp and would like to keep the things pretty simple if possible. i have thought about buying an Oppo BDP-103 or the upcoming BDP-105 to use it as a decoder through the HDMI input but after reading the specs it seems that these players don't decode the last formats and have a limited frequency for 7.1 through the HDMI input.
1) so does someone here as an idea of what i could use between my kaleidescape player and the Realizer?
2) what is the best connection to go from the realizer the the DAC? SPDIF?
3) could you be kind to add me on your shared dropbox to be able to download some Realizer config files? my email address is olivier.slama@mac.com
4) does someone know what is the best 7.1 config available on the shared dropbox. i use to listen to a JBL Synthesis Everest in parents house and would love to get something close to it.
5) i'm thinking about using a Sunfire subwoofer that i have (with room equalizer) and connect it to the realizer or buy Crowson transducers. have you guys any experience and thoughts about this?
thanks in advance for your help.
best
olivier
That's interesting.
Myself, Kiritz, and Jand were just at a location earlier today auditioning the Realiser with a Bryston BHA-1! We were using it with a pair of Audeze LCD3's. I have to say, that combo was really impressive. I think Jand is considering buying that combo for his Realiser.
1) Unfortunately, I don't know of any device that will receive a signal from you Kaleidescape and decode the audio to 5.1 or 7.1 LPCM. In fact, There aren't many devices at all that will decode to LPCM for the Realiser. You need to replace the M500 with another media player. I use a Dune HD Max which is similar in functionality to your Kaleidescape. The Dune HD Max will decode just about all surround formats and output LPCM. It works really well over my hard wired network to my servers. Although I have to admit, I end up copying most of my media to a local hard drive in the Dune to avoid any network lag or stuttering, etc. I hear the Oppo players can also do the same, but I have never used one.
I searched a long time to find anything that would do the decoding for the Realiser. I can say that the Dune was by far the best performing device.
Sorry about the bad news, but again, VERY few devices will decode surround audio and output LPCM. It's a licensing thing.
2) The only digital output from the Realiser is via optical SPDIF. That's your only choice.
3) Added to dropbox. (Be sure to copy NOT move! It defaults to move, for some lame reason.)
4) The best 7.1 PRIR is the one that works best for YOUR ears and also sounds good to YOU. There isn't one that's the best for everyone. Just like audio gear, there's no answer. However, some of my favorites are mine, of course, in the Darinf Folder: Audio Revelation, Acoustic Zen, Sonus Faber. Use the most recent measurements. The ones I uploaded today are way better than the previous ones.
5) Hook up the subwoofer since you already have it and see what you think. You have to use the "menu/TAC" settings to route any output to the tactile outputs. By default, there is no output to the tactile outs. I find even my cheap HSU subwoofer works pretty well and definitely adds to the realism of the lowest octaves. I have never heard/felt tactile transducers hooked up to the Realiser. You might search the other Realiser thread. I think others have commented about using tactile transducers.
Good luck and have fun with your Realiser!