Future Compatibility Issues Solved!

[Blindamood]

Well, I finally did it. I have a Rotel RSP-1068 processor that I love, and have been considering what the future will bring in terms of compatibility with the new HD players, HDMI, etc. I've considered waiting for Rotel's new feature compatibilities, or possibly going back to a receiver that offers the latest stuff (e.g., the recently-announced Onkyo or Pioneer Elite receivers that are releasing later this summer).

Rather than waiting, I've decided to implement a simpler approach that will work now, and in the future: the Zektor MAS7.1 7.1 analog audio and HDMI switcher. This product was recently released, and provides switching of up to three 7.1 analog outputs, as well as three HDMI (1.3) devices. While not cheap by any means, this will allow me to enjoy my Rotel processor for the foreseeable future, while still enjoying the latest goodies that my setup offers. It can be turned on via 12v trigger, and will work with my Harmony remote for transparent switching.

I will use the analog audio portion of the switcher to connect both my Onkyo DV-SP1000 (for DVD-Audio/SACD playback) and my Sony BDP-S1 blu-ray player (for Uncompressed PCM output) to the multi-channel inputs of the RSP-1068. I will use the HDMI portion to switch between the Onkyo and Sony, as well as my HD cable box, to my HDTV.

Just FYI, there are several authorized online dealers that sell Zektor below MSRP. The one I ordered from also provides free shipping, and includes a free HDMI, coax digital, and optical digital cable.

I will report back with I get it all set up and working! :B

[Clepto]

How will you deal with HDMI audio?

[Kevin D]

He's letting the player do the decoding and sending it out analog. From what it looks like, a lot of HD-DVD discs are going to require the player to decode the sound anyway.

Good find on the piece. It's better then an HDMI switcher and multi-channel switcher.

Kevin D.

[Blindamood]

Yup, Kevin is correct. No need for HDMI audio when sent through the 5.1 analog outs (switcher handles 7.1, but my system is 5.1). The only real downside to the player doing the decoding is that the bass management is usually not as 'robust' as when the processor does it. Since I use smaller speakers (B&W 805S/HTM4S/SCM) this is a concern, but I think both of my players do a sufficient job.

[Pez]

If I understand this correctly you need to output the audio from the player in analog format (not hdmi) to get the next gen sound formats, correct? For example you cant connect a PS3 via HDMI to the Zektor and have it break it down to analog?

[Kevin D]

Correct. It's a passive switcher, no decoding circuits.

[DL86]

Just one question. Because the player is doing the decoding will the signal be degraded due to inferior dacs being used to decode the signal inside the player?

I am planning on getting a 1068 but I am boggled about the fact that if I do get a high def player will the internal dacs of player severly degrade the signal compared to if the 1068 could do the work. Although possibility remains of getting a higher end high def player with top notch DACS.

David

[Blindamood]

Just one question. Because the player is doing the decoding will the signal be degraded due to inferior dacs being used to decode the signal inside the player?

I am planning on getting a 1068 but I am boggled about the fact that if I do get a high def player will the internal dacs of player severly degrade the signal compared to if the 1068 could do the work. Although possibility remains of getting a higher end high def player with top notch DACS.

David

Since Rotel does not yet handle the newer audio formats, there really is no choice if you want to take advantage of them. From all that I've read, my Sony BDP-S1 should do an outstanding job with D/A conversion. At this point, there really is no 'higher-end' player available...in fact, most folks seem to be looking for the newer 'lower-end' (i.e., cheaper) solutions. :roll:

I'll be able to let you know in a few days how it compares...estimated arrival of the Zektor is Wednesday.

[Blindamood]

And now there will be more complete coverage of the new audio codecs for my Sony BDP-S1. See my posting here:

Good News for Sony BDP-S1 Owners!

[Blindamood]

The Zektor arrived today as scheduled! Looks perfectly matched, sitting atop the Rotel RSP-1068. Now if only those darn new audio cables would get here so I can test it out...

Will post pics when I get it all hooked up.

[Blindamood]

As promised, here are the latest pics of my system, with the Zektor MAS7.1 installed. So far, this works perfectly. I now have all three sources using HDMI only for video, and I'm switching between the 5.1 analog outs of the Onkyo and the Sony. This allows me to get DVD-Audio/SACD music, as well as Uncompressed PCM, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Digital TrueHD for blu-ray movies. With the recent Sony firmware update, I can now (finally) hear the 640 kbps DD track on my Pink Floyd 'Pulse' disc...awesome!

[John Holmes]

Blindamood,

Sweet looking gear! Congrats on the new switcher. I'm glad to hear it works as promised.

[Blindamood]

Sweet looking gear! Congrats on the new switcher. I'm glad to hear it works as promised.

Thanks. Yup, it appears to be the real deal.