[Mag]

I've been listening in 5.1 Neo:6 music mode. I get plenty of bass from my fronts Paradigm Studio 100 v2, Paradigm Monitor 9 v2 surrounds and Velodyne Sub CHT-10.

I wasn't happy though leaving my Paradigm Studio 20 v4 speakers unused. So I swapped out the monitor 9's for the Studio 20's for surround duty. What a difference in mid-range clarity, that brings an element to the music that I crave to listen. Like AC/DC Live in Donington, dvd, the harmonics of the guitars just screams out.

So now I'm thinking I've got to get a better speakers for surround duty that has bass weight and mid-range clarity. Bryston Mini Model T speakers is on my short list, but funds are limited at this time.

[neekomax]

What's '5.1 in Neo:6 music mode'? Are you listening to multichannel recordings, or stereo recordings in some kind of virtual 5.1 deal? Just curious 'cause I just added a center channel speaker to my heretofore 2.1 living room setup, and I'm interested to know if I can integrate into my music listening (I have a Yamaha HT-5660 6.1 receiver).

[Mag]

What's '5.1 in Neo:6 music mode'? Are you listening to multichannel recordings, or stereo recordings in some kind of virtual 5.1 deal? Just curious 'cause I just added a center channel speaker to my heretofore 2.1 living room setup, and I'm interested to know if I can integrate into my music listening (I have a Yamaha HT-5660 6.1 receiver).

I have the Bryston SP2 updated with the new software, Neo: 6 music is one of the soundfields that converts 2 channel stereo into a multi-channel dts mix. So I'm piping 2 channel recordings into the BDA-1, in this case dvd pcm track, then to the analog section of the SP2 bypassing the DAC on the SP2.

I don't have a typical 5.1 surround setup. I have all my speakers along the long wall in a 25'x11'x 8' room. This makes for a wider soundstage, with my surrounds placed in the front corners of the room.

You can try it on your Yamaha, but I doubt very much that you'll have the transparency of the Bryston SP2. But at least you'll get an idea as to what I'm hearing. Getting the center channel calibrated to your listening position is key to a smooth overall sound which can be bothersome if you are use to listening in 2 channel stereo.

[brucek]

So I'm piping 2 channel recordings into the BDA-1, in this case dvd pcm track, then to the analog section of the SP2 bypassing the DAC on the SP2.

I suggest you're not bypassing the DAC of the SP2.

It's only when you utilize the stereo 'analog bypass' function on the SP2 that the DAC on the SP2 is actually bypassed.

If you are using a NEO 6 function on the SP2 (which synthesizes surround sound from a two channel source), and receive an analog signal from an external DAC (BDA-1), the signal first passes through the SP2 ADC (analog to digital converter), then it passes to the SP2 DSP for mode processing (NEO 6), then passes to the SP2 DAC (digital to analog converter) and then the analog signals are sent out the various channels.

If you are using sound modes on the SP2, probably best to feed the SP2 a digital signal directly. Otherwise you are subject to a lot of conversions. The purest use of an external DAC matched with an SP2 would be to use the stereo analog bypass of the SP2.

brucek

[alexone]

the SP2 is surely a nice preamp. but if you use the digital input it always happens that the very first beginning of a song is missing somehow...like a gap. i know that there is a code that can be send by the preamp's remote in order to eliminate this issue which only reduces it. so even if you try the code the drop out is still audible. this is something that shouldn't exist in a preamp in the 7k range. however, i believe this has something to with the internal dac that is more "made" for home theater needs than for those who want to connect a 2 channel external source like a cd player etc ?!?! i don't know...

so the best way to enjoy the SP2 in 2 channel analog mode is to use an external dac (like the BDA-1) and put the SP2 into bypass mode. no drop outs will occur furthermore the BDA-1 is capable of 192/24 (except via usb) compared to the internal dac of the SP2 which is limited to 96/24.

al.

[brucek]

i know that there is a code that can be send by the preamp's remote in order to eliminate this issue which only reduces it

Reduces it? You can set the delay to zero in the settings and that eliminates any delay. I use zero for CD and DVD and have a delay of 1 second for satellite. I don't have any audible dropout at the start of a song. Are you sure you have set it to zero?

brucek

[alexone]

hi, Brucek!

i'm pretty sure that i set the delay to zero. haven't used the SP2 for a pretty long time now...maybe it is a software thing?

btw, what is the needed code for the remote??

al.

[brucek]

hi, Brucek!

i'm pretty sure that i set the delay to zero. haven't used the SP2 for a pretty long time now...maybe it is a software thing?

btw, what is the needed code for the remote??

al.

The code is "093" for each 0.5 seconds of delay.

The result is displayed in the SP2 display after each entry. Execute a Save when you reach the delay you want stored.

Each "093" code entered (mute,save,dolby) increases the delay by 0.5 seconds up to a maximum of 3.0 seconds and then it wraps around to 0.0 second delay setting.

Zero delay means zero delay, so there is no delay to the start of a song.

brucek

[Mag]

I suggest you're not bypassing the DAC of the SP2.

It's only when you utilize the stereo 'analog bypass' function on the SP2 that the DAC on the SP2 is actually bypassed.

If you are using a NEO 6 function on the SP2 (which synthesizes surround sound from a two channel source), and receive an analog signal from an external DAC (BDA-1), the signal first passes through the SP2 ADC (analog to digital converter), then it passes to the SP2 DSP for mode processing (NEO 6), then passes to the SP2 DAC (digital to analog converter) and then the analog signals are sent out the various channels.

If you are using sound modes on the SP2, probably best to feed the SP2 a digital signal directly. Otherwise you are subject to a lot of conversions. The purest use of an external DAC matched with an SP2 would be to use the stereo analog bypass of the SP2.

brucek

It appears you are correct on that and I stand corrected. However to my ears Neo:6 music sounds better than 2 channel bypass, so it stays where it is regardless of conversions.

Also I believe I'm getting the upsampling using the usb port on the BDA-1 from my computer laptop in addition to the upsampling from the SP2 DAC. Maybe that's why it sounds so darn good?

[alexone]

ok, thank you Brucek! much appreciated. will try it later

one more question: what software version are you running on your SP2?

al.

[brucek]

ok, thank you Brucek! much appreciated. will try it later

one more question: what software version are you running on your SP2?

al.

V 1.06 May 02 2008
F/W (0406)

brucek

[alexone]

hi, Brucek!

tried the code so far with the first two inputs and yes i was able to set the delay to zero BUT then the SP2 always turned off by itself. and i believe that the message on the display was "DSP Full" so i did not try it for the other inputs yet.
 
maybe that was the reason i experienced when i tried it few years ago with no result? the unit might need a software update??

al.

[brucek]

maybe that was the reason i experienced when i tried it few years ago with no result? the unit might need a software update??

al.

What version is the software now?

brucek

[Mag]

What version is the software now?

brucek

2008 must be the latest software as I just had mine updated. I could tell it sounded different particularly with extended bass as previous to the upgrade the bass was almost overwhelming for my room. Now the extended bass is more comparable to the bass I get with 2 ch stereo bypass.