Interesting universal player modification... (1 Viewer)

[John Kotches]

Last Friday after what seems like an infinite wait (really about 2 weeks from ordering to arrival) I received in interesting player from DVD Upgrades...

I'd been saving my shekels for a number of months, and finally had the funds together for them to do their unique digital audio modification to my player.

Unlike most player tweaks, this is not an upgrade to the analog stages. Instead, they tap into the digital audio datastream and pass out the signal across 3x S/PDIF outputs that is (conveniently) compatible with my Meridian processor.

I can hear purists screaming in terror once they read this next bit... The truly interesting thing is that this modification translates DSD into 24/88.2K or 24/176.4K PCM depending on the settings of a dip switch, then passes this out S/PDIF as well.

The net result is (to my ears) a dramatic increase in the fidelity of SA-CD playback vs. the sampled input.

Very interesting results to say the least.

Cheers,

 

[ElevSkyMovie]

John,

This is currently the only way to get dvd-audio off a disc since dvd-audio encryption hasn't been broken. I have seen this mod online and think it is very interesting, as it pulls the digitial info right off the decoder chipset and passes it out. Very cool mod!

 

[John Kotches]

Kyle,

My main motivation was to get all digital inputs into the Meridian processor.

The dramatic improvement on SA-CD performance was an unexpected benefit.

Cheers,

 

[Brian L]

Is this mod compatible with any other gear save for the Meridean?

BGL

 

[ElevSkyMovie]

It will work with anything that has 3 S/PDIF inputs.

 

[John Kotches]

Tact Audio's TCS processor will work with this modification.

Supposedly the Denon AVR-5803 will work with this modification as well.

Cheers,

 

[PaulDA]

They scream even louder when they hear that I take the DSD output of my universal's analogue outputs and RE-DIGITIZE the signal to apply BM/TA at the multichannel inputs in my receiver. Still sounds great to me (indistinguishable from the "pure" DSD signal on my rig--which is no doubt not "revealing" enough )

 

[Kevin C Brown]

Not surprising to me.

See "What is the Correct Way for SACD Playback?"

http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/sacd-dvd-a/

 

[John Kotches]

Paul,

It really depends on the configuration of the product you are connecting to. The Denon 5803 supposedly has an option to do just this.

Meridian and the Tact define inputs as Multi-channel.

There are also some loudspeakers which accept digital inputs (I forget the brand name off hand).

Cheers,