Later model Traxis receviers and AC3

[kstuart]

Well, most everything is above my price range.

What's a good amp for this? I asked at a couple of stores here and they didn't have a clue. They got that deer in the head light look.

Amazon.com has for $150 incl Free Shipping:

Onkyo TX-SR304S 5.1 Channel A/V Receiver

(I have used the TX-SR500 for several years, and will likely buy another Onkyo next time around. Amazon also has slightly higher models as well.)

 

[Anole]

5.1 Channel A/V Receiver

Since this thread has gone so far, I feel it necessary to post this info:

A lot (but not all) of the low cost 5.1 receivers come with speakers.
Life is so much easier if it all comes in one box.
Some also come with color-coded speaker wiring, too.
We're not talking about high-end equipment here, so don't be influenced by small speakers - they're so much better than two.

Four or five years ago, I got a little DVD player + 5.1 receiver combo at Radio Shack.
It had an optical connection on the rear.
I figured one day, I'd plug my sat receiver into it.
The DVDs I made sure did sound good in surround...
Then, I discovered the optical connection was an OUTput for the DVD player!
It had no input at all.

Well , for $120, what did I expect?

 

[bubba108]

Thanks for the advice on amps, one last question and it's the big one. If I get the proper amp with the right inputs , will the audio from my Traxis 3500 work or do I need a better satellite receiver?

 

[gabshere]

i would think until they get a software fix for the traxis 3500 that allows ac3 pass through. then another receiver would be needed

 

[bubba108]

Called the guy at Rick's Satellite and he said the 3500 would be fine for AC3 audio. All I needed to do was to run a regular RCA cable from the S/PDIF port on the back of the 3500 to the port on the audio amp. Got a bunch of amps around here but none have the S/PDIF port. Going to look for one of those Onkyos.

 

[gabshere]

ok i would re read this thread...
and get it in writing from Rick's or at least a gaurantee he will take it back if it doesn't work.

 

[Tron]

Just because the Traxis 3500 will pass PCM (uncompressed) audio from the digital port does not necessarily mean it will pass AC-3 (compressed audio).

Look for an audio amp/receiver with a digital input that can decode Dolby Digital (more common name for AC-3).

 

[Das Hammer]

If you do a blind scan with the 3500, it will not pick up the audio pid. It just remains at 0. You can input it manually, but even after entering it manually, I did not get AC3 from it on Ku.