Anyone doing the 6.1 surround sound? Did you use a add on to an existing system? If so, what did you go with and why?

Thanks
-JO

I have a 6.1 system. I upgraded to a Yamaha RX-V1000 from a RX-V992. It only has pre-outs for the rear center speaker, so I used an old Yamaha receiver (RX-V690) to drive them. If I had to do it over again, I would have went with the RX-V3000, which has binding post terminals for the rear center speakers (no external amp required). All in all, I'm very happy with how the system sounds. Gladiator sounds fantastic! There are pictures of my system and equipment here:

[Link: mobius.mobius-soft.com]

Is the rear center channel simply encoded as a mono signal between the left and right surround channels? Or is there more to it than that.

I have an old add-on pro-logic decoder laying about. Could I use this to decode the center rear channel, by feeding line level left and right surround into it and using the decoders front left/center/right outputs as the 6.1 rear channels?

It would certainly be a lot cheaper than buying a new amp!

Andrea,

Get a dvd juke box and you can rid of the bookcase with the dvds. It will change your life. With the Pioneer you can setup to 10 categories.

Rob,

From what i've been able to tell by reading various online articles, the rear surround is *NOT* the differential of SL-SR.

This is especially true of DTS ES. Surround-Back can be one of two things: discrete or matrixed.

Discrete is encoded as a completely separate channel, allowing for content publishers to put totally unique data in that channel and nowhere else (allowing for some very unique and cool effects).

Matrixed, on the other hand, is digitally "matrixed" into the SL and SR channels, and a matrix transformation is used by the signal processor to "extract" the SB channel. (While this is more similar to DPL, it is mathematically improbable that you'll get the same signal by doing SL-SR and pumping it out the rear).

The benefit of the matrix mix is, of course, that it works with existing hardware. Discrete may work as well, as long as the hardware you have is smart enough to just throw out the extra data and ignore it.

I haven't looked deep into DD EX, but the technology for creating matrixed sound was, I believe, licensed from Dolby by dts... so they may be quite identical.

Any other takers?

-jer

P.S. I don't have DTS ES or DD EX yet... i'm still a fence sitter on this one. ;)

Slocko,

I'm considering it. What I'd really like is a DVD player (or jukebox) that can read both sides of the disc. I hate flipping. My laserdisc player can do this, why don't they make DVD players that do this? And why don't they cache enough so that layer changes are not noticeable? Maybe it's just my combi player...

In the mean time, though, I'm having custom DVD shelves built into the wall, as well as a custom bookcase for laserdiscs, in the next month or two. :-)

Thanks for the replies people. I have been looking into some more as well. I now know my Yamaha DSP-A3090 has line out for rear sounds but it also bypasses the internal amp when they are used. I looked at the ADA 6.1-channel Processor and Amplifier (see review @ [Link: soundandvisionmag.com]) but it seemed overpriced and under powered. I see that parasound has a CSE 6.1, is anyone using this or know anything about it? Their web site is pretty short on details.... What I would like to be able to do is support both the 6.1 discrete and the matrix. Is this possible?

Thanks again
JO

If you want to use an old reciever to get a matrixed rear centre channel, use a "Y" splitter on each of the two surround pre-outputs. Take one side back to your 5.1 reciever's pre-input. Take the duplicate outputs over to the pro-logic unit. The center channel output will be your rear centre. Unless the pro-logic curcuit is really noisey, it'll sound pretty good. Nudge the level of the rear centre channel just a little louder than the side surrounds to "bring it out". Best wishes, Rachael!

Andrea

Sony makes a dvd jukebox that holds 301 disk that plays both sides of a dvd. Although the tray has to turn 180 degrees to do that. As far as how good it is, i couldn't tell you.

Most people hate the Sony interface. But Andrea if you read the Kenwood thread in the DVD forum, then that one will be the one you will want to buy when it comes out.

Jo, Parasound has a new add-on unit that does DTS-ES & DD-EX. You need an amp to go with it if. Does your unit have Pre-out's but no pre-back-in's? Bummer if that's the case. Best wishes, Rachael!

Rachael...

I'm still not buying the assumption that a matrixed Surround Back channel is either SL-SR or the human vocal range interpolated by DPL center channel routines...

I'm a bit confused as to why using a DPL processor is being suggested as a quick and dirty way of actually extracting the matrixed Surround Back channel?

Granted, you *will* get sound (as there is often vocal-range data in the surrounds AND it is a given that the SL and SR have different data in a DD / dts track), depending on what channel (center or surround) you amplify from the DPL proc ... i just don't believe it will be what the sound mixer intended you to get.

-jer

Jer, when I got into EX about a year ago. I test drove EX using a Sony TAE 1000ES pre to create the back channel. It worked quite well althogh the processor was noiey by today's standards. For EX material it's what was meant to be heard exactly. For DTS ES stuff it's a close approximation. I got the SWPM and the Smart Jr. EX unit in the same week last spring. I had a ball with it! It's stille the reference EX recording. I'm thinking of upgrading to the Parasound unit for DTS ES. Of course, I'm a full-fledged audio-vidiot, I get these urges... THX wants you to use two rear centres, dipoles...if you follow THX decrees. Wait till you hear the SWPM DVD in EX or ES, whichever flavour it comes in. That event may make you a believer! Best wishes, Rachael!

Rachael...
Yep, the Yamaha DSP-A3090 has pre-outs for ALL channels including the unique Yamaha FRONT effect channels. The Parasound CSE 6.1 sounds interesting but at $399.00 is pricey. Has anyone seen a street deal on this all I can find so far is Retail:(? Is anyone using this unit?

With this option I would also need an amplifier. If I am going this heavy into this thing I kind of feel I should get something that will benefit the other channels besides the two new rear centers. I could go four channel for the SR, SL, CR, and CL in the rear or a 6 channel and pick up the front two effect channels as well. Anyone have comments or suggestions on amps suited to the task? Something in the 100-150W range..

thanks
JO

Jo, I picked up a used Rotel RB 970 BX amp which bridges to 1 x 180 to amplify my Smart Jr. I have another one on my audio system. So, if I go to two rear centres I'll bring that one in too. My brain is shut down today, suggestions aren't flowing. Jer, matrix type decoders have not changed much since Dynaco introduced the first one in the 1970's. The Circle surround circuit in the Smart Jr. is a matrix decoder, just that, but a very good one. Jo, my brain is back on! How about Marantz mono blocks so you can get the exact # of channels you decide on. Best wishes!