Article: Optimizing my Dolby Atmos Music System

[bobfa]

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[The Computer Audiophile]

Thanks so much @bobfa! I know everyone will have a key takeaway, or two, from the article, and mine is this.

 

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The how of this is a very deep well that you do not have to fall into!

 

From the aspect of the user, this is pretty simple.  Buy some software and a measurement Microphone.  Set the software up according to a well-designed process.  Hook up your USB DAC and Mic to the computer and make some measurements.  Hire THE REAL “Top Gun” to build your custom filters.  Purchase and install the Hang Loose Convolver for your playback system to use HLC and the filters that @mitchco makes for you, and sit back and listen.

 

This is what everyone should understand about getting DSP to work for their systems. Don't reinvent the wheel. Don't try to be the master of the universe and understand everything before jumping into anything. Mitch has done all the work. He will walk anyone through the process, as he has done for literally hundreds of people already. 

[Roy Boy]

I currently have a hybrid 2-channel and 7.1 system that includes video. I am considering moving to a 7.2.4 system to fully experience Atmos music. Is there a path to a 7.2.4 system that includes video and DSP?

  Just to add a little more detail. In my 7.1 system I have two sources. AppleTV and I stream my ripped MCH-SACD from my NAS via an Oppo 103D via HDMI into my processor (old Integra DHC-80.3)

My 2-channel is streamed from my NAS to Lumin A1 directly to Coda No.8 amp (with Manley Skipjack in between to switch between stereo and 5.1) I have a growing collection of ripped vinyl at 24/352.

IMG_1452.HEIC

[bobfa]

@Roy Boy I have a video system using a sound bar.  The ATMOS music system I have is Audio only.    Many of the current Video processors have DSP corrections but they are not at anywhere near the level of control we have using a Mac or a PC.

 

I am currently limited to 24/192 using the DAC system I have in my system.  I hope soon to test with two of the 8-channel Topping DACs.

 

 

[El Guapo]

1 hour ago, bobfa said:

I hope soon to test with two of the 8-channel Topping DACs.

I've done that last October. Some issues here:

• Topping uses the same serial# in its USB controller chips. Computer is difficult to control two DACs. For example when playing DSD64, only master shows 2.8MHz but salve shows 176.4KHz with no sound. PCM mode is ok.
• DM7 does not have external clock sync. I always meet jitter / drift. Log sweep is painful. Re-do hundreds times...
• In ASIO4ALL setup panel must enable hardware buffer and enlarge frame buffer to avoid explosive sound. 

After dealing those things, two aggregated Topping DM7s work quite well on macOS running HLConvolver tho.

[bbosler]

Rather than deal with multiple DACs , I encourage anyone who is starting down this path to investigate pro audio interfaces like this https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/24Ao--motu-24ao-usb-avb-ios-interface.. Yes, you wil lhave to deal with a different method of cabling than you may be used to but there are pre-made snakes to handle the db25 outputs or you can make your own if you can solder

 

there are options at various price points and they also accept a word clock which is nice in some applications.

 

no opinion on this particular unit, just an example of what is available

 

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 minute ago, bbosler said:

Rather than deal with multiple DACs , I encourage anyone who is starting down this path to investigate pro audio interfaces like this https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/24Ao--motu-24ao-usb-avb-ios-interface.. Yes, you wil lhave to deal with a different method of cabling than you may be used to but there are pre-made snakes to handle the db25 outputs or you can make your own if you can solder

 

there are options at various price points and they also accept a word clock which is nice in some applications.

 

no opinion on this particular unit, just an example of what is available

 

 

 

Ahem, the same interface Bob is already using :~)

 

 

[bbosler]

13 minutes ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

 

Ahem, the same interface Bob is already using :~)

 

oh, I just saw he was looking at adding two  8 channel Topping DACs so assumed he was using multiple DACs. I now see he said "testing" them... my mistake

[grinner]

Thanks Bob. Very enjoyable and informative. 

[bobfa]

34 minutes ago, grinner said:

Thanks Bob. Very enjoyable and informative. 

You are welcome.  Thank you for reading and sharing.

[bobfa]

It is time for an update.  Over the last two weeks, I have replaced my core network with a Ubiquity system.  The new network has fixed about 99.5% of the issues I have had with IoT, mDNS, Airplay, and other items.  The big boon to me is that the Apple Remote App on my iPhone is now working way better controlling Apple Music on the ATMOS system.  I still have a problem with some playlists not updating on the Remote App, even though they show correctly on the Mac Mini. I have always dreamed of controlling my audio system this way—no extra databases, software, cost, etc.

 

 

I have started a cleanup pass through my local library.  I want to decide how I want it to look.  For now, I am going back to Artist and Album rather than Genre first.  I am using iDrive to do more backups to the cloud, and I am working through the problem of Sonos in the rest of the house, being able to play the local library properly.  

[bobfa]

Here is a short screenshot video of the digital side of the system. This shows the system running Hang Loose Convolver, and Apple Music  All on one WIDE screen.

 

 

[nxrm]

On 1/26/2023 at 1:20 PM, bbosler said:

Rather than deal with multiple DACs , I encourage anyone who is starting down this path to investigate pro audio interfaces like this https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/24Ao--motu-24ao-usb-avb-ios-interface.. Yes, you wil lhave to deal with a different method of cabling than you may be used to but there are pre-made snakes to handle the db25 outputs or you can make your own if you can solder

 

there are options at various price points and they also accept a word clock which is nice in some applications.

 

no opinion on this particular unit, just an example of what is available

 

 

 

On 1/26/2023 at 1:22 PM, The Computer Audiophile said:

 

Ahem, the same interface Bob is already using :~)

 

 

 

What I find so interesting here at this forum, where many spend thousands on two channel DACs (not to mention DCS and other astronomically priced models), numerous surround sound users are apparently overjoyed by what they hear from far lower priced MCH pro audio DACs like the Motu. Very encouraging.   

[keeper]

Bob's Atmos Music Playlist

Im very new to this and only using a Sonos Arc with 2 rears and 4K ATV.

Have you tried the Gabriels 'Angles & Queens' sound very good even on my basic setup.