5.1 Amplifiers with Optical inputs

**RedGTiVR6** · 10-24-2006, 09:01 AM

That Muzurity was mentioned some time ago in another thread on here: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...3&postcount=39

But because it appears to be next to impossible to get, I didn't include it. That appears to be the case for all Muzuritys. And the same appears to be the case with the Zenec.

and while I'm thinking about it, the Focal amp doesn't need to be in the line up - it's optical in, just not 5.1!

If someone can find a reputable place to buy it, and not just from one country, I'll include it.

**sivart321** · 11-03-2006, 11:32 PM

Can the volume of any of these be controlled by the optcal input themselves? I know my HTPC soundcard and reciever work this way, and allow me to control the volume within windows and not have to mess with the reciever once its set.

I have a dolby digital live soundcard, if that helps any.

**replicant** · 12-19-2006, 08:53 PM

i second this question. i was looking at replacing my aging memphis belle 5 channel amp, with a more advanced digital 5.1ch amp.

**scott_fx** · 12-19-2006, 10:49 PM

i dont see any other way of controlling the sound. there is no way of putting a preamp attenuator between the source and the amp.

**replicant** · 12-19-2006, 11:51 PM

scott, because i'm a complete moron/noob with these types of amps, what is different about this amp versus a standard "analog" connection amp? i suppose I don't understand why the need to control volume, etc is taken away from the computer or headunit and has to be controlled exclusively via an interface directly on the digital amp.

thanks for your input.

oh and as a side question, how are you liking the transflective xenarc? mp3car only sales the liliput version, correct? where did you come across the xenarc version? i'm sure you've mentioned it in the bowels of these forums, so yeah i haven't searched.

but i'm fixing to.

**RedGTiVR6** · 12-20-2006, 09:37 AM

Scott got in on the deal on the Xenarc before the company had to limit who they could sell to.

As for your questions.

The amp has a 5.1 decoder built in. When it's in the digital domain, and it's decoded, I'm guessing there's something with that that prevents it from having the volume adjusted before it's decoded.

**Defiler** · 03-16-2007, 10:38 AM

Sorry for bringing this thread back from the de...well, it's kinda dead.

I just picked up an Alpine F350 from Crutchfield, of all places

, for 169 shipped 3 day. I think they are phasing this amp out as I have seen the price on it drop lately.

BTW For my setup I am going for the lowest wattage possible while still getting great sound. I plan on adding the Alpine Mono V power 250 amp. Little by little the Carputer is making it's way back into my car.

**Karterius** · 05-17-2007, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by Defiler

I just picked up an Alpine F350 from Crutchfield, of all places

, for 169 shipped 3 day. I think they are phasing this amp out as I have seen the price on it drop lately.

BTW For my setup I am going for the lowest wattage possible while still getting great sound. I plan on adding the Alpine Mono V power 250 amp. Little by little the Carputer is making it's way back into my car.

Defiler any update on this? Did you go with an optical setup?

So from what I can tell after reading this thread, is that the main issues are.

1.) When you start your system you have to use a remote to turn on the digital decoder in the amp, so that it can accept a digital signal.
(could this be corrected by hooking up an IR blaster to the Car-Puter and have it mounted and pointed at the amp?)

2.) There is no volume control over the system as it is just a digital signal that is sent out through the optical? (Is this why some require a HU?)

Is there an amp yet on the market that allows for optical in and corrects these issues?

**Defiler** · 05-18-2007, 12:18 AM

Yeah. The major update would be my H700 did not output a digital signal like I thought it would. I shipped the D350 back to Crutchfield and got my moola back. Instead I am going with two Alpine MRV-F345s to get the 5.1 I am looking for. It's still going to be optical from the carputer to the H700 with short RCA runs to the amps.

**FMode** · 06-16-2007, 12:30 PM

I "have to" state that I have written a Control Software for the Zenec5.1 optical amplifier.

Detects moves of the Windows Master Volume Slider and sends IR Commands (Vol+ and Vol-) with the help of WinLIRC to the Zenec.
To get the volume level of the Zenec it samples the OSD menü (with a Videodevice: I use a cheap USB Video grabber) and after that it does an OCR.
Question, details... just ask...

http://www.mvci-systems.de/VolumeChanger.zip