No easy answer

Digital Drive

Upsamplers, DACs, jitter, shakes and analogue withdrawals, this is it.

No easy answer

Posted by mr.bear (A) on July 7, 2012 at 19:36:09

In Reply to: How much to spend on a DAC for Tivo posted by Bob S on July 7, 2012 at 05:54:51:

TiVo’s website says: “TiVo Series 2 and Series 2 DT boxes support Dolby Pro-Logic and Dolby Surround. TiVo Series3 and Premiere boxes support Dolby Digital 5.1. Currently, TiVo does not support 7.1 Dolby Digital surround sound.” Surfing websites of some broadcast TV networks and the ATSC it seems DD 5.1 is the best available, generally.

Dolby Digital audio (also known as AC-3) is the same as audio on ordinary DVDs. DD is a lossy CODEC generally limited to 448 Kbps. Note, that’s still only about 1/3 the bitrate of a CD. DD typically compresses a 5.1 channel surround track typically to 384 - 448 Kbps. DD can be transmitted optimally via S/PDIF.

Lossy CODEC’s have characteristic sound determined by the CODECs’ software creators. Suffice it to say a large amount of compression takes place- early testing showed “perfect transparency” only at 1.5 Mbps (the current standard is <1/3 that!), and the test methods were criticized at the time. In the real world, I think it yields pretty decent playback, sounding about as nice as CDs in my rig but it's not comparable to hi-res digital.

Also don’t be hasty to write off Toslink optical cable- it’s not all bad. It’s not a slam-dunk that it has more jitter under all circumstances and optical has many advocates. See review below (apologies for the 6-moons jive); the upshot comparing Toslink to coax is: “The differences that do exist don't proclaim one or the other the victor based on clear superiority. They simply operate inside system compatibility effects and those of personal preferences.”

To your original question, I'd say it is worth a decent DAC but don't go overboard. Maybe check out a $200 Emotiva? I say this based on reviews and their evident excellent performance/cost.

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/toslink/toslink.html (Open in New Window)

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - How much to spend on a DAC for Tivo - Bob S 05:54:51 07/7/12 (10)

RE: How much to spend on a DAC for Tivo - pictureguy 16:10:23 07/12/12 (0)

Tivo is for TV? video? then remember you need a surround decoder, not just a two channel DAC - Elizabeth 11:17:20 07/8/12 (3)

RE: Tivo is for TV? video? then remember you need a surround decoder, not just a two channel DAC - Bob S 15:32:45 07/8/12 (2)

RE: Tivo is for TV? video? then remember you need a surround decoder, not just a two channel DAC - Soundgarden 17:12:38 07/8/12 (1)

RE: It seems unlikely it couldn't be told to spit out PCM... - mr.bear 23:07:55 07/8/12 (0)

No easy answer - mr.bear 07/7/1219:36:09 07/7/12 (3)

RE: No easy answer - Bob S 15:22:36 07/8/12 (0)

RE: No easy answer - Tony Lauck 06:55:10 07/8/12 (1)

RE: No easy answer - mr.bear 13:24:05 07/8/12 (0)

Would a Rega or Eastern Electric DAC be overkill for Tivo....Ummm Probably - Dynobot 13:14:09 07/7/12 (0)

Follow Ups

No easy answer - mr.bear 07/7/1219:36:09 07/7/12 (3)

RE: No easy answer - Bob S 15:22:36 07/8/12 (0)

RE: No easy answer - Tony Lauck 06:55:10 07/8/12 (1)

RE: No easy answer - mr.bear 13:24:05 07/8/12 (0)

Post a Message!