(Was gonna post this in the thread about possible codecs that mitchco started a while back, but thought it could deserve a separate topic)
Although probably (?) most use J River for two-channel, there are lots and lots of people, including me, who feel there is
nothing better out there for multichannel/home theatre use also. The capabilities are almost unlimited, and the response from the team when it comes to adding features is outstanding, bar none. A HTPC with J River has been my
only source/preamp/processor/scaler since, well, maybe version 11..?
So why is a HTPC with J River better..? A couple of audio related reasons here, but there are many more:
What level do you aim for, good, better or best? Let your needs and wallet decide.
How many channels? 2 or 32..? Both doable. 64? Probably achievable too..
Sound quality..internal soundcard? MiniDsp U-DAC8? Or a stack of DCS or MSB or whatever dacs, your choice. I use dual Lynx cards myself for 12 chn out/4 chn in. Can add more if I want/need.
Room correction? J Rivers own or Dirac, Audiolense, Accourate and more, even great freeware options out there. I use Dirac.
Kind of speaks for itself. It's a computer. You can upgrade whatever whenever.
Remember the Krell I used to own back when. It's "expandable, upgradeable architecture" was one of the main reasons I dug deep in my wallet. Did they deliver on that promise? Take a guess..
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Isn’t it simpler and cheaper to just buy Atmos receiver?
A big NO on that one. The reason is the core, basic performance of just about every AVR/AVP is shockingly bad. Almost regardless of price..
Check out the saddening tests on
www.audiosciencereview.com and judge for yourself.
I used to have both Krell and Classé AVP's, and while good at the time, they simply can't compare with a J River based HTPC.
Still remember when DTS-HD and Dolby True HD became available to J River..can't remember exactly when/what version this happened, but I do remember how happy I was..
So..what's left..? Yes, Atmos of course, and other immersive variants.
Will it happen? I sure hope so. I wanted to jump on this train a long time ago, but the features/performance/price of the AVP's available don't impress. And yes, I have tried at home, several units. Talk about downgrade..
I would be happy to use an Atmos decoder if someone were to hand me one free to use, that can actually give me PCM data for further processing and output...
So Hendrik and you other guys..is there ANY hope and/or development on the Atmos decoding front..?
How about if you get your hands on a Trinnov AVP..? Since it is actually an Intel based Linux HTPC running only software decoders, it should contain all our much wanted secrets, and probably more, right..?
Could it be done? If it should be done is another question. No, forget that, of course it should be done..