2. home-theater
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Hate this, I need an AV receiver. Help me choose

Since the manufacturers won't simply put analog audio out jacks on their new TV's, it looks like I will have to buy a crappy AV receiver to get sound to the outboard speakers. TV only has optical digital out which you all know we would never choose between our cherished CD transports and DAC's. It irks me because I have unused amp and preamp that would work just fine for this. I am an old school Tube and 2 channel audiophile. Even though this is only for the TV set up I don't want anything that sounds too crappy. What can you guys recommend for me here that I can find maybe at Best Buy without wasting too many dollars. Any hope in a 5.1 Yamaha for under 300 bucks for example?
hifiharv
soix
9,354 posts
 
"Sounds like a cheap DAC with toslink might be the best way to go."

When I see "cheap" but someone still wants something somewhat decent I automatically think Monoprice. Given your situation for $25 or so this might just do the trick...

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10423&cs_id=1042302&p_id=6884&seq=1&format=2
realremo
460 posts
 
Affordable DAC with optical input:
http://audioengineusa.com/Store/Audioengine-D1
I've heard this DAC along with their A5 speakers at RMAF and really liked the sound. Source was a computer, not a TV, but I was impressed. Uses the AK4396 DAC chip:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/modwright3/transporter_2.html
Audioengine has a 30 day in-home trial. If you don't like it or it does not work, send it back.
jndean
132 posts
 
Consider Accessories4Less.com as a Marantz resaler of refurbished gear including AV receivers. Great stuff at great prices and never a problem. Marantz has a solid house sound.mk
courant
119 posts
 
Does your TV have a Headphone-Out mini jack?

If so, Audioquest makes a $10 or so Mini-to-Analog that would allow you to connect standard RCA ICs to your television.
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,670 posts
 
Getting a DAC for this is not necessarily a solution unless you are certain that the digital output from the TV is PCM and not DolbyDigital. The vast majority of audio DACs will not decode DD and, therefore, will be of no help to you.

Any inexpensive, used AVR with digital input will do DD as will a few stand-alone devices, such as the Technics SH-AC500D decoder/DAC that I have in my closet (and would love to sell). http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/SHAC500D.PDF

Otherwise, use the headphone output as Courant suggests. It is a cheap but effective solution.

Kal
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