Smyth Research Realiser A16

[Camano]

Have you installed the windows USB driver?

https://wp.me/a9KNpp-w4

 

[Ciggavelli]

Have you installed the windows USB driver?

https://wp.me/a9KNpp-w4

I have. I downloaded it off the Smyth website. I installed it to get sound to play, but for some reason it's only 2 channel when it should be 5.1

 

[Ciggavelli]

I went into Foobar settings to look at that USB ASIO driver and it looks like I can only make the input 2 channels

Edit: I mapped the channels and it works for SACDs, but still can't get DTS to work

 

[Litlgi74]

I have never used foobar to bitstream DTS... Not sure it can.

But you could use foobar to decode DTS and send it as PCM.

https://www.foobar2000.org/components/view/foo_input_dts

 

[Ciggavelli]

I finally got it to work. Thanks everybody.

Next thing I'll need to do is get some different PRIR and HPEQ files. The sound quality with the stock files is not very good. It's great to listen to my 5.1 audio though. The surround feature works as hoped

 

[Litlgi74]

I finally got it to work. Thanks everybody.

Bitstream or PCM?

 

[Ciggavelli]

Bitstream or PCM?

PCM. I might need to use another program for bitstream. Foobar recognizes the Smyth A16 driver, but I guess Foobar must be converting everything to PCM automatically.

 

[sander99]

PCM. I might need to use another program for bitstream. Foobar recognizes the Smyth A16 driver, but I guess Foobar must be converting everything to PCM automatically.

According to the A16 specifications bitstreaming via USB is not possible.
From https://smyth-research.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/RealiserA16datasheet.pdf:

Audio source inputs / outputs:
USB 2.0 : 16ch in / 2ch out
HDMI 2.0 : 8ch PCM i/o + bitstream in
Analogue : 16ch in + 16ch out
Optical : 2ch PCM i/o + bitstream in

Using HDMI would be best (bitstreaming via optical/coax doesn't support Dolby True HD or DTS HD MA).

 

[dsperber]

Picture 01: output of the player for the DTS-HD MA sound track. Picture 02: the same sound track as decoded by the Realiser A16. DTS-HD Master Audio successfully decoded by Realiser A16. However, one question might be asked. The player showed a 5.1 signal and the Realiser A16 decoded 7.1. If anyone can explain that, please post it here.

I'm not sure how to explain it. But I have an interesting assortment of pictures that do confirm your experience. The non-immersive presets make use of my AIX 5.1 and 7.1 (ear level) listening room PRIRs. I use the AIX 7.1 PRIR as the basis for my immersive presets, adding the BBC speakers for all the others that are required.

I don't know what is producing the sound sent to the two additional speakers in the 7.1 (ear level) listening room if it's not Neural:X, given that the source is only 5.1 (ear level).

In addition to "Life of Pi" which has DTS-HD MA 7.1 audio mentioned previously, I also have "Avatar" (3D/2D) which has DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio. So played "Avatar" on my Oppo 203 feeding the A16 bitstream, using four different preset configurations. The following screenshots show what the A16 sees and does, playing the disc through each of the four presets.

(1) Immersive preset, DTS:X 9.1.2h, upmixer Neural:X enabled (i.e. DTS Direct -> OFF). This is essentially a 7.1 ear-level speaker listening room.

(2) Immersive preset, DTS:X 9.1.2h, upmixer Neural:X disabled (i.e. DTS Direct -> ON). Same 7.1 ear-level speaker listening room.

(3) non-immersive 5.1 preset, DTS:X 5.1, upmixer Neural: X disabled (i.e. DTS Direct -> ON). This is a 5.1 ear-level speaker listening room.

(4) non-immersive 7.1 preset, DTS:X 7.1, upmixer Neural:X disabled (i.e. DTS Direct -> ON). This is a 7.1 ear-level speaker listening room.

 

[GeorgeA]

I also disabled the upmixer Neural:X (i.e., DTS Direct -> ON) before playing The U2 360 degrees at the Rose Bowl Blu-ray disc.

 

[Ciggavelli]

I gotta admit, this setup is frustrating and confusing as hell. Also, it's really hard to measure headphones. I expected it to be bad, but I guess I didn't realize how bad the setup would be. I'll push through, but it seems like this thing could have been designed in a better manner.

 

[makan]

I gotta admit, this setup is frustrating and confusing as hell. Also, it's really hard to measure headphones. I expected it to be bad, but I guess I didn't realize how bad the setup would be. I'll push through, but it seems like this thing could have been designed in a better manner.

It is so worth it!!!

 

[Ciggavelli]

It is so worth it!!!

It is pretty cool so far, sound wise. I'm listening to Beck's "Sea Change" in 5.1 and it sounds really 3D.

Side note, every time I make a change on the A16, it seems like I have to reinstall the windows driver. Not a terribly big deal, but annoying.

Also, I probably shouldn't have picked the TCs to measure first. The fit has to be perfect, which is difficult with how you have to wear the TCs. I'll measure my Shang Sr next, which should be easier hopefully.

 

[makan]

It is pretty cool so far, sound wise. I'm listening to Beck's "Sea Change" in 5.1 and it sounds really 3D.

Side note, every time I make a change on the A16, it seems like I have to reinstall the windows driver. Not a terribly big deal, but annoying.

Also, I probably shouldn't have picked the TCs to measure first. The fit has to be perfect, which is difficult with how you have to wear the TCs. I'll measure my Shang Sr next, which should be easier hopefully.

I use the HD800 and the subpac on the back behind the cushion on my couch

 

[Ciggavelli]

For some reason the sub channel always only plays on the left side of my headphones. I tried different headphones and different amps, and the same thing occurs. Is the sub channel only supposed to play on the left side? Is there a way to put the sub track in the center as opposed to just the left?

Edit: It's not my cables, dac, amp or headphones because I tested them all without the A16. It's definitely something to do with the A16. When I measure the headphones, I hear sub bass equally on the left and right sides, but when I play any music, including the test button, the sub channel is favoring the left ear cup.