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SIMPLEST AC-3 Decoder please--what do u think
https://forum.lddb.com/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=4978		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Guest [ 21 Feb 2015, 14:37 ]
Post subject:  SIMPLEST AC-3 Decoder please--what do u think
I am wondering from the members here what you think the SIMPLEST AC-3 Decoder would be to add to a very complicated system that I have already in the man-cave. All it needs to do is either a) demodulate the signal to analog input or b) send the signal demodulated then to digital input on the receiver. I was thinking one of the old Yamaha demodulators would work that had 5.1 analog out, but wanted some clarity. Thank you everyone.
Author:  laserpaal [ 21 Feb 2015, 19:37 ]
Post subject:  Re: SIMPLEST AC-3 Decoder please--what do u think
The Yamaha APD-1 is a perfect choice! Won't take up space in your man-cave and it is very discrete and simple in use.
Author:  kris [ 21 Feb 2015, 20:15 ]
Post subject:  Re: SIMPLEST AC-3 Decoder please--what do u think
Pocket size one would be the Kenwood DEM-999D or the more hard to find DEM-9991D (auto switching ac-3 & dts)

It has an outboard power supply so that is a big +
Author:  ffutures [ 22 Feb 2015, 02:47 ]
Post subject:  Re: SIMPLEST AC-3 Decoder please--what do u think
laserpaal wrote:
The Yamaha APD-1 is a perfect choice! Won't take up space in your man-cave and it is very discrete and simple in use.

+1 on this if you have a spare optical or digital coax input on your amp. But if you need component surround sound (e.g. analog outputs for stereo sound, surround sound speakers, center and subwoofer) you'll need something more complicated.
Author:  substance [ 22 Feb 2015, 03:45 ]
Post subject:  Re: SIMPLEST AC-3 Decoder please--what do u think
More complicated is not better in this case. Stick with a demodulator with digital out like yamaha or the kenwood unit. Decoders with analog output are much inferior to any decoder you would find in a modern receiver. I would stay away unless you find one dirt cheap.

Small size and built in power supply are what makes them easier to adapt to any system. Functionality and sound quality are nearly the same on all of them.
Author:  ffutures [ 22 Feb 2015, 15:29 ]
Post subject:  Re: SIMPLEST AC-3 Decoder please--what do u think
substance wrote:
More complicated is not better in this case. Stick with a demodulator with digital out like yamaha or the kenwood unit. Decoders with analog output are much inferior to any decoder you would find in a modern receiver. I would stay away unless you find one dirt cheap.

Small size and built in power supply are what makes them easier to adapt to any system. Functionality and sound quality are nearly the same on all of them.

Believe me, I did not intend my post to be read as meaning that component analog outputs are better - they're a nuisance, but it was all my first decoder (an Onkyo model) offered.
Author:  rein-o [ 22 Feb 2015, 16:37 ]
Post subject:  Re: SIMPLEST AC-3 Decoder please--what do u think
real question is: how many AC-3 discs do you own?????????
I have over 400 discs now and only own 12 AC-3 discs :lol:

get the cheapest one you can find.
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Author:  sdraper [ 22 Feb 2015, 21:05 ]
Post subject:  Re: SIMPLEST AC-3 Decoder please--what do u think
Many of the PCM Surround tracks on AC-3 discs are no slouch, like Goldeneye, and some are IMO better like Batman Forever.

I have both a Sony EDP-800 with the optical passthrough of AC-3 and the Yamaha DDP-1 which requires conversion to 6 analog rca. There's not really a difference in either, just that the older unit has to convert digital to analog and the other maintains the digital chain with no degradation possible. I've directly compared the two and they seem near identical, it is just me and my worrying about degrading the chain. However, keep in mind that price will be the ultimate factor along with the number of discs you have. Get the cheapest thing you can find, the overall technology will be the same.

I will say that my DDP-1 does have three onboard DACs which although outdated can help in improving the sound since it is a necessary component for putting out to a speaker.
Author:  Guest [ 28 Feb 2015, 23:44 ]
Post subject:  Re: SIMPLEST AC-3 Decoder please--what do u think
The fact that I am a known obsessive compulsive hoarding nerd type would indicate to me that although I don't own a single AC-3 disc yet...

I will most likely begin that chase in earnest as I keep selling my own other junk I have hoarded onto eBay--if anyone has AC-3 discs of any kind I am interested in collecting them..ALL of them... :mrgreen:
Author:  laserpaal [ 01 Mar 2015, 20:09 ]
Post subject:  Re: SIMPLEST AC-3 Decoder please--what do u think
Do I really need AC3? A reflective question, in fact! I can think of how little I've used mine since I got into laserdiscs. By today I have about 150 - 200 discs and a small percent of these discs are AC3.
Author:  Guest [ 04 Mar 2015, 01:40 ]
Post subject:  Re: SIMPLEST AC-3 Decoder please--what do u think
Just found a nice little APD-1 on eBay and purchased it. I'm excited to see if theres any differences that are to be seen between a couple movies I have on DVD or Blu-ray when it comes to the same disc on LD...
Author:  rein-o [ 04 Mar 2015, 01:46 ]
Post subject:  Re: SIMPLEST AC-3 Decoder please--what do u think
saw that one, it will do what you need.
good luck hooking it up with all your new AV gear, and make sure your LD player has AC-3 or you won't get anything out of it :lol:

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Author:  laserreadfan [ 21 Jan 2016, 23:29 ]
Post subject:  Re: SIMPLEST AC-3 Decoder please--what do u think
Sdraper-are you saying the Sony SDP-E800 allows you to hook up an LD RF output to it, and use the Sony's optical output into a regular receiver/processor that handles Dolby Digital?

I know the manual says that signal can't be recorded, but who cares? That would make it good as a pass through device.

Many thanks!

:thumbup:
Author:  substance [ 22 Jan 2016, 00:40 ]
Post subject:  Re: SIMPLEST AC-3 Decoder please--what do u think
The sony indeed passes through demodulated rf signal. Not only is a good demodulator, also is a good way to use it as a hub.
Author:  laserramon [ 22 Jan 2016, 06:29 ]
Post subject:  Re: SIMPLEST AC-3 Decoder please--what do u think
Hey guys, I'm thinking about getting a Nakamichi demodulator. Is it a good choice? I heard that all demodulators basically operate the same.
Author:  dumbchemist [ 22 Jan 2016, 11:44 ]
Post subject:  Re: SIMPLEST AC-3 Decoder please--what do u think
substance wrote:
The sony indeed passes through demodulated rf signal. Not only is a good demodulator, also is a good way to use it as a hub.


10-4 on that. I use my SDP-E800 as an optical switcher so that my CLD-D406 and my MDP-600 can share the same optical input on my amp. It works very well. The AC-3 demodulator is just icing on the cake. When my RCA SJT-400 CED player is working, I will use the analog input on the E800 for the the 400's A/V feed.
Author:  substance [ 22 Jan 2016, 13:55 ]
Post subject:  Re: SIMPLEST AC-3 Decoder please--what do u think
It's curious, why they only had 1 rf input ever on any decice? I have only Theta Casablanca AV SSP to have 2 rf inputs. I guess no one had more than 1 LD player.
Author:  8traxrule [ 23 Jan 2016, 05:46 ]
Post subject:  Re: SIMPLEST AC-3 Decoder please--what do u think
Quote:
I will most likely begin that chase in earnest as I keep selling my own other junk I have hoarded onto eBay--if anyone has AC-3 discs of any kind I am interested in collecting them..ALL of them... :mrgreen:


Just keep in mind that MANY AC-3 discs are nothing to write home about- stuff like comedies, etc. The AC-3 indicators will light up, but you'll basically be getting mostly dialogue in the center channel with music in the left and right- some have surround tracks that you can only hear if you put your ears up to the speakers to verify they're there. Just because the format includes the additional channels doesn't mean that every movie will use them to their full potential.
Author:  laserreadfan [ 09 Feb 2016, 05:38 ]
Post subject:  Re: SIMPLEST AC-3 Decoder please--what do u think
Thanks.

:shock:
Author:  dilb [ 26 Sep 2017, 16:58 ]
Post subject:  Re: SIMPLEST AC-3 Decoder please--what do u think
Just fire up Pink Floyd The Wall, or Highlander in AC3. Now those movies use their extra channels to full potential.
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