Analogue 5.1 Dual-port switch box needed?

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 13 Jan 2007, 01:20

AMP with only 5.1 analogue inputs: I already have DVD-A/SACD but want HD any ideas?:

My Sony Receiver doesn't offer HDMI, Firewire or any other Digital Input and only a 5.1 analogue input (it has Optical/Coaxial too of course). Right now they're plugged into my DVD Player which also offers SACD/DVD-A.

Seeing as you can't get and won't be able to get for ages a HD-DVD and/or BD Player which supports SACD and/or DVD-A any ideas how I can plug both my DVD Player and a HD-DVD/Blu-Ray player into my Amp?

I know this is possible if I use the Stereo Phono outputs but I'd lose SACD/DVD-A 5.1 on the DVD Player (so just SACD/DVD-A Stereo).

I want to be able to take advantage of SACD, DVD-A PLUS HDs DTS-HD, Dolby True-HD + Uncompressed PCM. Optical/Coaxial only offers Dolby Digital Plus (or a downmixed DTS-HD/Dolby True-HD/PCM Uncompressed) audio, not the Full HD Resolution of DTS-HD/Dolby True-HD/PCM Uncompressed. FYI DD Plus is comparable to DTS which I already.

I'm really hoping I don't need to get a new Receiver too (which I wouldn't do), it's more than adequate otherwise.

Any ideas where I can get a 5.1 analogue switch box for no more than around £150? (I don't mind importing). A manual switch would be perfectly fine.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 13 Jan 2007, 06:41

LOL, don't know how to use google.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?Mod ... doy=search
http://www.tvcables.co.uk/cgi-bin/tvcab ... e=Box.html

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 13 Jan 2007, 08:42

LOL, don't know how to read Brad's post.
He wants an ANALOG switchbox.

So, what you want is 2 separate 5.1 inputs and 1 5.1 output.

BTW: I don't believe for a second that you'll get better quality with HD tracks using analog output (and you won't get true 7.1).

But, if that's what you want, I'll see what I can find.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 13 Jan 2007, 08:59

Well I can't find what you're looking for, Brad.

But if I was in your situation, I'd use 6 of these:

2 mono inputs, 1 mono output (no switch).

Always make sure that the other player is unplugged to avoid any feedback problems and you "should" be fine (haven't tried it, though).

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 13 Jan 2007, 15:53

tom2681 wrote:So, what you want is 2 separate 5.1 inputs and 1 5.1 output.

Exactly. As for 7.1 that's a luxury when we're talking 5.1 analogue outputs anyway.

tom2681 wrote:BTW: I don't believe for a second that you'll get better quality with HD tracks using analog output (and you won't get true 7.1).

Agreed but that would mean a new Amp.

Compared against HDMI or Firewire of course but like I said that would need a new amp. So YES Analogue 5.1 would as neither Optical/Coaxial support DTS-HD, Dolby True-HD or PCM Uncompressed.

The bitrate of those formats far exceeds what Optical or Coaxial can cope with (same goes for DVD-A/SACD of which I have tried through Optical/Coaxial and it sounds like a muffled mess).

I realise no one else seems to care and is happy to be stuck with DD Plus when they get a HD-DVD Player (the cheaper ones don't have Analogue 5.1 outputs) but I'm not. DD Plus is roughly the same as DTS. I want the newer HD Audio to go along with the new HD Video.

My amp is a Sony Receiver which cost me £370 a few years back, it's more than an enough for me. It's not one of those cheap all-in-one units it's a proper Home Cinema Receiver (it's huge with more inputs than I could ever use but just 1 analogue input). It has 3 Optical inputs and 1 Coaxial input, which of course either are the best method for DTS/DD5.1 but not the newer HD Formats.

tom2681 wrote:But, if that's what you want, I'll see what I can find.

I presume you realise you need HDMI, Firewire or Analogue 5.1 to get the new HD Formats? Optical or Coaxial are no good.

Buy me a new amp and I'll happily accept it

.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 13 Jan 2007, 16:00

tom2681 wrote:Well I can't find what you're looking for, Brad.

I've managed to find 1 for £200 but that price point I'd be better off buying a new Amp which I really don't want to do. It would be nice if it had Dolby Pro-Logic 2 but otherwise it's MORE than enough.

tom2681 wrote:But if I was in your situation, I'd use 6 of these:

2 mono inputs, 1 mono output (no switch).

Always make sure that the other player is unplugged to avoid any feedback problems and you "should" be fine (haven't tried it, though).

That would work but as you say it could be dodgy. You're sending two sets of audio into one. Hmm something to think about though.

Do you reckon even switched off they'd give feedback? Instead of turned off at the wall. Actually my DVD Player (SACD + DVD-A) has a proper on/off switch not a standby one so this should help, you need to use the remote to put it in standby.

EDIt: I've found 1 on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0077762403

I'd have thought considering the feedback factor gold was crucial.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 13 Jan 2007, 17:07

Sorry then, I was under the impression that he was talking about coaxial for some reason.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 13 Jan 2007, 17:09

No worries. It would be great if I could use Coaxial or Optical but alas they don't have the juice.

@ Tom: Wouldn't one of those splitters cables half the signal when it gets into the amp, Yes/No? Considering you're supposed to use them for one device not sending two devices into one.

I'm just thinking ahead for when a HD-DVD/BD Combo is released at a reasonable price. It's highly unlikely I'll be changing my Amp.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 14 Jan 2007, 08:23

I've taken a quick look at the one from Ebay. £2 is too expensive.
I bought a few of those in a french Virgin Megastore for 1€60 each last year.
See if you can find a better price in the UK.

Wouldn't one of those splitters cables half the signal when it gets into the amp, Yes/No?

Don't think so.

You would half the signal if you had:
-One input.
-Two active outputs.

But in this case, it's one active input -> one output.
I don't see why the signal would change.

Do you reckon even switched off they'd give feedback? Instead of turned off at the wall.

Yes. I'm sure most of them still send some kind of low parasite noise when they're plugged in.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 14 Jan 2007, 13:04

tom2681 wrote:I bought a few of those in a french Virgin Megastore for 1€60 each last year.
See if you can find a better price in the UK.

I presume there is a typo here as €60 is £40 so that can't be right. I didn't realise you had one, what are they like?

I doubt I'd be able to source them much cheaper tbh they're a very niche product. 2 x 6 is only £12, far less than a switch box would cost. When I come to need them I'd have a more thorough look of course but £12 is perfectly reasonable IMO.

tom2681 wrote:Yes. I'm sure most of them still send some kind of low parasite noise when they're plugged in.

Thanks. I'll have to test to see if I notice it/it's a problem.

I don't see why I'd need to physically unplug it though. I'd just need to make sure the plug has a power switch on the wall (which is standard in the UK).

I'm more concerned about the low noise causing electrical problems for any of the devices. I wouldn't want to damage something. Do you reckon that's possible?

tom2681 wrote:But in this case, it's one active input -> one output. I don't see why the signal would change.

Good point.

Except looking at the cable the two separate wires go into one connection so wouldn't this mean half the signal? (as only half the wires are being used) or doesn't it work this way?

Cheers Tom

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 14 Jan 2007, 15:10

Brad wrote:I presume there is a typo here as €60 is £40 so that can't be right.

Sorry, I keep forgetting you're british.

1€60 -> 1,60€

Brad wrote:I didn't realise you had one, what are they like?

I've stopped using them when I bought my new amp, but before that they were working great.

I had 2 VCRs (one NTSC, the other SECAM) with stereo output, but only one analog stereo input on my amp.

Leaving one VCR plugged in when the other was in use generated some kind of audible hissing noise (that's why I recommend unplugging it completely).

Other than that, it was fine.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 14 Jan 2007, 15:49

tom2681 wrote:Sorry, I keep forgetting you're british.
1€60 -> 1,60€

Really, since when? 1€60 says to me €60 x1. I must say that is a stupid way to put it. Is that how it's really spelt in France? It's not in the UK (or Ireland).

tom2681 wrote:Leaving one VCR plugged in when the other was in use generated some kind of audible hissing noise (that's why I recommend unplugging it completely).

I forgot you're French

and so don't have switches on the wall. They're common here and even if they weren't I'd just get a 4-Way adapter with a switch for each plug. This will be the same as unplugging them.

VCRs AFAIK only have a Standby mode my DVD Player at least has a proper on/off switch so hopefully I can just use that.

tom2681 wrote:Other than that, it was fine.

Great, thanks for the help. I'll do the same.

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 14 Jan 2007, 15:56

I forgot you're French ... and so don't have switches on the wall.

Ah... yes.

Same as unplugging, then. Yep.

Is that how it's really spelt in France?

Pretty much, yeah.

*Looks up random french e-store*

We spell it like we say it (Four euros ninety-seven).

thanks for the help.

You're welcome.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 14 Jan 2007, 20:43

tom2681 wrote:Ah... yes.
Same as unplugging, then. Yep.

Of course but an added bonus

. They seem to be rare, most countries don't bother.

tom2681 wrote:We spell it like we say it (Four euros ninety-seven).

Well that would be either €4.97 or 4.97€ (I actually found it weird at first to put the € at the end but am used to it by now). It just looks dumb to me to plonk the currency symbol in the middle. Hey Ho it's just weird that's all.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 18 Jan 2007, 22:32

I've managed to find just the ticket for £25 delivered

.

I e-mailed Keene Electronics and they've confirmed it does what I need it to. It's really a AV box but the labelling can be ignored and used just for Audio (they've not confirmed this but that's what I'm assuming).

It's annoying the leads aren't at the back but I'll just bung it behind a cabinet. As long as I can reach the buttons I don't need to ever see it.

The cheapest two places I can source one are:

* £23.32 (Postage + VAT included) - http://www.tek2.com/beyondhifi/acatalog ... ntrol.html
* £25.49 (Postage + VAT included) - http://www.keene.co.uk/multi.php?mycode=PSB

I've used Keene before so am inclined to go with them for £2.17 more. The other company looks a bit weird. If you go to http://www.tek2.com it's a completely non-related company (I can't find Beyond Hi-fi on it at all), you need to go to http://www.tek2.com/beyondhifi which strikes me as a bit odd.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 18 Jan 2007, 22:32

The manufacturer info page is here: http://www.b-tech-int.com/BT24.html

Some questions please:

1. Do you guys reckon it really works with a two 6-Phono in and one 6-Phono Out setup?
2. I presume the labelling is just that labelling ? I can see it's "really designed for AV Inputs.
3. How does it work for two 6-Phono inputs? I presume I'd need to press buttons 1 + 2 together and respectively also 3 + 4 together (it looks to have 6 buttons, which I think I can see are labelled 1-6), is this possible/would it work?

tom2681 · Post by **tom2681** » 22 Jan 2007, 14:26

1. Do you guys reckon it really works with a two 6-Phono in and one 6-Phono Out setup?

I reckon...

*Gives it a lot of thought*

It just might work.

Too bad the diagram on http://www.b-tech-int.com/BT24.html isn't clear enough, though.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 22 Jan 2007, 20:05

I know. I've heard since:

"No the PSB will not do this our new phono version of our scart commander will."

From the same company, so maybe not. They've been far from clear. I think it's because their seems to be 6 banks of 3 phonos and I of course need 2 banks of 6. Check out how many buttons it has.