DTS/SACD capable prepro/AVR recommendations needed

halo71

I need recommendations for either a pre/pro or AVR that can decode DTS to be looking out for. If an AVR I prefer one with preouts. Did I mention it has to be cheap? :cheesygrin:

tonyb

Pretty much all of the multi channel avr's or pre/pros will do DTS. Even the ones that don't, all you need is 5.1 analog inputs and the player will do the decoding and pass it on.....thats assuming of course you have a player with analog outputs.

halo71

Tony the processor I am using only has 2 channel analog inputs. Everything else is fiber or coax. It is a older model Sony SDP-E800. The Denon DVD2200 does have 5.1 outputs.

This is the one. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sony-SDP-E800-Surround-Processor-Nice-Sound-Made-in-Japan-/221139337344?pt=US_Home_Audio_Amplifiers_Preamps&hash=item337cee8080

Damn I need to update some stuff! lol

dudeinaroom

Halo, if your looking to play that DTS-CD the 5.1 analog outputs will not work, the pre/pro has to be able to decode DTS in order to get the cd to play. As far as SACD is concerned you will have to have 5.1 inputs to get full resolution out of them. Tony we are talking about a DTS CD, Not dvd they are not the same. DVD players see it as a cd and decode it as a cd, but when using a digital connection to a decoder they work just fine. Crap, you can even use a standard cd player with a digital output to play a DTS-CD.

tonyb

Correct my man, brain **** from not dealing with DTS in a long while. Back a few years when the format wars were the bomb, this didn't work with that, that didn't decode this, certain gear had limited inputs and outputs, cable compatability, etc. It drove us nuts around here and still does to some extent on legacy gear. Today's avr's and pre/pros have connections up the wazoo and decode everything including where to find Waldo.

Gary, don't know what your using as a pre/pro or avr, but a typical stereo unit won't do it for multi channel music or surround sound. SACD on the other hand, has a 2 channel layer in most of them and those players usually do all the decoding so it is possible to use a stereo pre and a SACD player but most buy a SACD for the 5.1 muti channel music that format provides. Again, compatability issues may arise in that scenario too with older discs as SACD wasn't always as uniform as it is today.

Electronics and compatability changes so quick in todays world, your almost forced to keep upgrading your gear if you want the latest and greatest. I've run into that myself a time or 2 trying to get older gear to work with newer technologies and while work arounds existed and were a pain in the ****, in the end it just wasn't worth it. I think thats why so many here have decided to seperate systems and go with one for 2 channel and a HT system/multi channel music. I still haven't done that myself for lack of room and cash, and still run a combined system even though I know I'm shorting myself on the 2 channel side of things. It may be time for some upgrades for you too, but only you and your wallet can decide that pal. Personally, shoot for a SACD player of decent quality and don't lose any sleep over DTS discs if spinning discs is what you want to do. Otherwise, I would suggest picking up the SB touch or a Sonos unit, a good dac, and start getting hip to the digital age.

cfrizz

I love DTS, it's a shame they stopped making them. Get yourself a Denon or Pioneer DVD player that does both DVD-A & SACD that way you will be able to pick up both kinds of discs.

So long as you have a receiver or prepro to plug it into that is.

halo71

Guys....I have a Denon DVD2200. It does SACD, DVD-Audio etc. It's my old pre/pro that I linked above that will not decode DTS. It does not have 5.1 analog inputs either. That is why I started this thread asking for recommendations of what to upgrade it with. But I am seeing just about any somewhat modern AVR will fit the bill.