PLIIx or THX Ultra 2 ????

[Peter Nielsen]

I'm posing this question because I'm too lazy to try to understand the manual (or maybe the manual does not even give a straight answer?) Anyway, here goes:

Should I use "PLIIx Movie" or "THX Ultra 2 Cinema" when watching movies?

I'm sorry if the question is trivial, but I'm not sure what I should be using and I just don't have the time to experiment. I just want to pick the one that's supposed to be the state-of-the-art. (Oh, and my wife :rant: HATES when I try to experiment with the sound or the picture during movies, which explains why I perfer to minimize any kind of experimentation :B )

I guess going with THX should be safe, but then again, what's all the hoopla about PLIIx... Obviously I missed out on understanding something essential in the terminology...

Thanks,
Peter

[nicholtl]

THX Ultra Cinema 2 can only be applied AFTER THE FACT, on top of Direct, DPLIIx, etc. I think some of the guys here like DPLIIx with THX Ultra Cinema 2 post-processing added on top, but personally, I think DPLIIx sounds cleanest. Sharpest. Most enveloping.

Don't forget, just because you're not using THX Ultra 2 as your movie-watching surround format of choice doesn't mean you're neglecting the C1/C2's THX Ultra 2 capabilities. Being a THX Ultra 2 certified processor, it also means that our units went through extensive and rigorous testing to ensure they met the required standards. And despite what many haters like to say, no, THX Ultra 2 isn't simply rewarded to any company that pays enough dough.

People only say that because they're jealous their little receivers don't have any certification what so ever.

[Chris D]

My answer? BOTH!

(because of how Nicholt explained the modes work) But to keep it real big picture, if you have a 6.1 or 7.1 setup, I would recommend for best sound and ease of use you do what I do and keep DPLIIx on at all times. I also use THX processing on top of DPLIIx.

[audioqueso]

THX Ultra 2 isn't simply rewarded to any company that pays enough dough.

To not start a confusion all over again... THX is a reference or guidelines from Lucas. It does nothing to an amp or processor except indicate that this particular amp/processor with the logo is capable of meeting Lucas' guidelines for optimal HT performance (according to Lucas). Yes, my amp has the nice little Ultra2 logo on it, so I'm not whining, but it means nothing to me. It doesn't mean that my Parasound is better than a Class amp. That a Classe amp (which doesn't pay for the THX) isn't able to meet or surpass all of Lucas' guidelines for optimal HT performance. But it does give me that assurance that if I watch a movie with THX, then it's capable of giving me the experience Lucas wants me to experience.

[Peter Nielsen]

THX Ultra Cinema 2 can only be applied AFTER THE FACT, on top of Direct, DPLIIx, etc. I think some of the guys here like DPLIIx with THX Ultra Cinema 2 post-processing added on top, but personally, I think DPLIIx sounds cleanest. Sharpest. Most enveloping.

Ok. I've been using THX Ultra Cinema 2 on top of Direct, so I guess I haven't been using DPLIIx at all then?!

So, if I understand you guys correctly, I should use DPLIIx instead of Direct, and then optionally apply THX on top of DPLIIx?

Peter

[nicholtl]

If you've been using THX Ultra2 on top of Direct, then yeah, you haven't been using DPLIIx at all.

And everyone pretty much agrees DPLIIx is better than Direct, but I personally prefer DPLIIx as-is, without THX Ultra2. THX Ultra2 seems to soften the clarity and mute the attack.

[Chetk]

And everyone pretty much agrees DPLIIx is better than Direct

Why? I have been using Direct. Doesn't that mean I'm hearing exactly what the DVD author encoded? And I only activate "THX Cinema" when I watch a movie that's THX certified. I've been really confused about this since I got the receiver. Maybe I can get it cleared up in this thread.

• Why is DPLIIx better than Direct?
• When should I use "THX Cinema"?
• I'll come up with more questions in a second. :P

[nicholtl]

Chetk, I didn't mean DPLIIx it WAS better, just that it seemed the overwhelming majority here PREFERRED it over Direct. Use your favorite DVD and switch it back-and-forth on the fly. See what you think. DPLIIx seems more enveloping, with smoother effect transitions. Direct just seems a bit...well, harsh.

[Peter Nielsen]

THX Ultra2 seems to soften the clarity and mute the attack.

I concur with that. That was my first gut react when I switched from using DLPIIx to Direct/THX Ultra Cinema 2.

Softening of the clarity and possibly also muting of the attack is EXACTLY what I experienced. Of course I thought this was just my brain playing tricks with me, and "the force" told me that Lucas' THX can't be that bad :B Silly me... another victim of FUD... :rofl: :T

Peter

[Chris D]

Ok. I've been using THX Ultra Cinema 2 on top of Direct, so I guess I haven't been using DPLIIx at all then?!

So, if I understand you guys correctly, I should use DPLIIx instead of Direct, and then optionally apply THX on top of DPLIIx?

Peter

Exactly right, Peter. Direct and DPLIIx are mutually exclusive options.

As far as the discussion of "Which sounds better, DPLIIx vs Direct?" the answer is of course, that it depends on personal preference.

I'm personally a purist--I like to hear and see audio/video the way the original author intended. In general, I don't like the reverb and such that sound processing adds. If you're like this, you may prefer DIRECT.

However, even though I'm a purist, I actually prefer DPLIIx! I think the reason is that A/V technology evolution has made this processing very, very good, so that it really adds to the sound field, not detracts! I feel much more enveloped by the sound using DPLIIx instead of Direct. One reason is that in Direct, you're going to hear whatever sound channels are originally encoded--if the source is stereo 2-channel, you'll hear stereo. If it's 5.1, you'll hear 5.1. But if you use DPLIIx with a 6.1 or 7.1 system, sound will be periodically routed to ALL of your channels, immersing you in the sound. So you get maximum surround sound, full-time, regardless of original encoding!

[Chris D]

As for the THX U2, yes, that's a fair assessment of how the effect sounds. But often, I actually prefer the THX processing. (again, this is odd, since I consider myself mostly a purist) Because many DVD's are not optimized for home viewing, I think that often sound levels are out of whack, and sound becomes quite harsh. This is usually the first thing you notice when you turn up the volume to THX movie reference levels, prompting you to turn it down. But THX processing gives you what I'd describe as a more BALANCED sound output.

[kwojciec]

I prefer THX over DPLIIx

Hi everybody

I guess I am minority here. I upgraded from Rotel RSP 1066 to C2 couple
of month ago. I have to admit that I always liked Rotel surround modes
which produced 7.1 out of 5.1 sound. I did not find DPLIIx that much superior to home made Rotel product. Now, I really like what THX music or THX movie make
out of 5.1 DD or DTS soundtracks. I prefer them over DPLIIx processing.
Do not get me wrong, though, I found C2 a huge improvement over (really nice)
Rotel processor. I should probably post, what I wrote about RSP 1066 and C2
but I guess that there was already too many reviews posted around here

best

Krzysztof

Krzysztof

[Chris D]

Krysztof, while I haven't had the opportunity to do critical listening and experimentation with a Rotel receiver, I do know that Rotel users are quite happy with Rotel proprietary processing modes.

[kwojciec]

I really did a lot of listening to different tracks, like LOTR, famous car
chases in "Ronin" and others and I prefer THX processing to DLPIIx.
I have to add that as a preamp C2 is in a different class than Rotel, B&K
and Sunfire products. I am really happy owner. The only cloud on
the horizon is appearence of High Definition formats in the (not so clear)
nearest future, as we still do not know if Halo processors will be upgradeable.
I also think that upgrade now to Ilink and HDMI (without audio
processing) does not make too much sense, so I am willing to wait patiently
until we get HDMI which cary both audio and video.
I have to add that I have a lot of fun with 2-channel stereo and I think that
C2 is indeed a great preamplifier


Krzysztof