So there's a long list of questions which I'm trying (but struggling) to answer in making a decision IF I 'need' a new AV receiver.
Which AV receiver and if I can afford one, is another question altogether.
Obviously all things considered, I would rather not upgrade at this time - and would thus prefer resolving what may be a technical issue.
Any input on the below issue, to aid my making this decision, is much appreciated.
I have a Cambridge Audio 540Rv3 AV receiver, circa 2007 (yes I know it's old, but it still grafts well).
User manual here:
https://techsupport.cambridgeaudio.com/hc/en-us/article_attachments/360001698525/Azur_540R_v3_User_Manual_-_English.pdf
Technical spec sheet here:
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/220365/Cambridge-Audio-Azur-540r-V3.html
This AV receiver, has the following architecture:
CS493263 DSP, see here:
https://www.datasheet.live/index.php?title=Special
dfViewer&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpdf.datasheet.live%2F01e648d3%2Fcirrus.com%2FCS493263.pdf
CS42518 CODEC, see here:
https://statics.cirrus.com/pubs/proDatasheet/CS42518_F2.pdf
I have been struggling, both via HDMI and optical-SPDIF, to resolve Dolby Digital or DTS discrete channels received by the AVR.
Yet the above spec sheet (p.1 of CS493263 DSP), indicates that AC3 and AAC can be decoded (both codecs are still common for compressed transfer of 5.1 discrete channels).
However, when I play files with this audio encoding though the Plex client (on either a TV top box or RasPlex unit) - I do get audible digital stereo audio, but never 5.1 discrete channels.
I have gone through all variety of settings on the AVR, Plex device/app, even routed the sound to the TV via HDMI and then back to the AVR via optical - and although I do get sound on many of these configurations - it is always digital stereo, and never Dolby or DTS decoded discrete digital channels for my current 3.1 speaker setup.
A new tv box will not resolve the issue, as I have now tested two (and even tried my laptop with an optical SPDIF out from an external sound card).
Help please! :walled:
On the surface, it looks like the AVR should decode both AC3 and AAC audio codecs, but try as I might, it doesn't.
Is there something I'm missing?
Are the HDMI ports too old? (i.e. a legacy standard issue)
Is the DSP / DAC on the AVR to old?
Why would it say it can decoded AC3 & AAC, but doesn't?
Is this a fault?
Am I doing something wrong?
Is there a solution with the current set up?
Or is the AVR just incapable? Why? What spec is needed?
Is there a solution cheaper than a new AVR?
(else I might just languish in 2.1 till some bright day when I can afford a new second hand AVR)
(The reason this is driving me mad is that the dialogue on many movies is muddied in 2.1. And the Pro Logic II / Neo 6 up mixing sends too much of the audio to the centre channel of my 3.1 setup)
Thanks for the input! :notworthy: :help:
Which AV receiver and if I can afford one, is another question altogether.
Obviously all things considered, I would rather not upgrade at this time - and would thus prefer resolving what may be a technical issue.
Any input on the below issue, to aid my making this decision, is much appreciated.
I have a Cambridge Audio 540Rv3 AV receiver, circa 2007 (yes I know it's old, but it still grafts well).
User manual here:
https://techsupport.cambridgeaudio.com/hc/en-us/article_attachments/360001698525/Azur_540R_v3_User_Manual_-_English.pdf
Technical spec sheet here:
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/220365/Cambridge-Audio-Azur-540r-V3.html
This AV receiver, has the following architecture:
CS493263 DSP, see here:
https://www.datasheet.live/index.php?title=Special
dfViewer&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpdf.datasheet.live%2F01e648d3%2Fcirrus.com%2FCS493263.pdfCS42518 CODEC, see here:
https://statics.cirrus.com/pubs/proDatasheet/CS42518_F2.pdf
I have been struggling, both via HDMI and optical-SPDIF, to resolve Dolby Digital or DTS discrete channels received by the AVR.
Yet the above spec sheet (p.1 of CS493263 DSP), indicates that AC3 and AAC can be decoded (both codecs are still common for compressed transfer of 5.1 discrete channels).
However, when I play files with this audio encoding though the Plex client (on either a TV top box or RasPlex unit) - I do get audible digital stereo audio, but never 5.1 discrete channels.
I have gone through all variety of settings on the AVR, Plex device/app, even routed the sound to the TV via HDMI and then back to the AVR via optical - and although I do get sound on many of these configurations - it is always digital stereo, and never Dolby or DTS decoded discrete digital channels for my current 3.1 speaker setup.
A new tv box will not resolve the issue, as I have now tested two (and even tried my laptop with an optical SPDIF out from an external sound card).
Help please! :walled:
On the surface, it looks like the AVR should decode both AC3 and AAC audio codecs, but try as I might, it doesn't.
Is there something I'm missing?
Are the HDMI ports too old? (i.e. a legacy standard issue)
Is the DSP / DAC on the AVR to old?
Why would it say it can decoded AC3 & AAC, but doesn't?
Is this a fault?
Am I doing something wrong?
Is there a solution with the current set up?
Or is the AVR just incapable? Why? What spec is needed?
Is there a solution cheaper than a new AVR?
(else I might just languish in 2.1 till some bright day when I can afford a new second hand AVR)
(The reason this is driving me mad is that the dialogue on many movies is muddied in 2.1. And the Pro Logic II / Neo 6 up mixing sends too much of the audio to the centre channel of my 3.1 setup)
Thanks for the input! :notworthy: :help:
