Hi everyone,
I would like to start a discussion here, if anyone has an idea for a new Output board. Currently, the Vanity[sup]PRO[/sup] can be purchased with four different Output boards:
Stereo
Multichannel XLR
Multichannel RCA
Multichannel BNC
We also have a prototype of an I[sub]2[/sub]S Output board with D-SUB connector for testing, but due to different connectors used and non-standard pinout for multichannel it hasn't been made as an available option (yet).
Since the Vanity[sup]PRO[/sup] has interchangeable Output boards, a new board can be relatively easily designed. So, if you have an idea for an Output board for multichannel digital audio that would be useful for certain application, please feel free to share it here.
Yes, my vote would be for Multichannel IS2 HDMI) pairs outputs.
Some of the newer DACS are built with internal IS2 buss and therefore support HDMI connector inputs that deliver the best sound - example Denafrips. Some also have chang-able IS2 configuration controls to support the different non-standard IS2 pin configs.
Hi MultiChMaven,
Thank you for your input. We have been playing with the multi-channel I2S output module for a while. The option with 4xHDMI connectors for I2S output is probably the most practical idea, since all other connectors and pinouts such as RJ45 are not that common.
Best Regards,
Pavel
This likely isn't a valid suggestion, but it'd be great if there was a board that had even more outputs... Like 16 channels. One could run two OKTO dacs directly and have an incredible amount of channel routing available.... For instance, multiway LCR, multiple subs, or the ability to run multiple systems from one piece of equipment, like a stereo rig and a multichannel rig with the same set of sources. It would take maybe a couple minutes of configuration to dance between the two.
Personally I feel like this is a rather revolutionary product that many people are not grasping the benefit of. There is a lot of dogma in our somewhat antiquated audio circles that don't really see the potential of a product like this.
PLEASE keep up the good work and this is only my two cents! For the record I like the idea of I2S over HDMI output as another option.
Hi feurkils,
Thank you!
Yes, multichannel I2S via 4xHDMI with PS-Audio pinout is something we have been considering, only if there were more people using I2S! The good thing about the VanityPRO is that there are virtually endless possibilities how to get the audio out using various output boards. We found a way to even add a standard digital audio input (SPDIF/AES) to make the VanityPRO a digital audio switch with multiple inputs.
Probably the next most requested output board option would be USB Audio with ASRC to turn the VanityPRO into HDMI Audio to USB Audio converted for computer based multichannel room processing. Something to look at really closely.
Regards,
Pavel
For me personally spdif inputs would be really helpful, I could use the Vanity for all source material at that point... USB output has some validity to it as well! I'm going to suspect you'd wouldn't give out a timeline for any of this would you?
Another thought… you could consider a breakout style cable for multiple spdif output formats. Something on a little multi pin d-sub connection. Audiophiles will probably think it’s kind of cheesy but RME makes it work on their ADI2 pro; there is Spdif i/o on RCA and AES via a little breakout dongle. If you oriented it all vertically, you might even be able to squeeze the I2S over HDMI sockets for each channel too. Or squeeze in USB instead of I2S. Or do any two out of three options. Any of these might broaden the appeal for folks.
It seems like there are intentions not to attempt anything main stream with this, but with a full suite of inputs and more flexible output options, you’d have a very feature rich d/d format converter. Could compete with the other d/d converts whilst still having some major aces up its sleeve that the other units couldn’t touch. Especially so if you considered expanding the output options like above.
feurkils Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This likely isn't a valid suggestion, but it'd be
> great if there was a board that had even more
> outputs... Like 16 channels. One could run two
> OKTO dacs directly and have an incredible amount
> of channel routing available.... For instance,
> multiway LCR, multiple subs, or the ability to run
> multiple systems from one piece of equipment, like
> a stereo rig and a multichannel rig with the same
> set of sources. It would take maybe a couple
> minutes of configuration to dance between the two.
>
> Personally I feel like this is a rather
> revolutionary product that many people are not
> grasping the benefit of. There is a lot of dogma
> in our somewhat antiquated audio circles that
> don't really see the potential of a product like
> this.
>
> PLEASE keep up the good work and this is only my
> two cents! For the record I like the idea of I2S
> over HDMI output as another option.
Or the option to use a second unit to cover channels 9-16.
I saw your post on ASR and the new post you made for this specifically… This board solves a number of issues, some of which I didn’t really even considered… I like that you can now do 8 channels over a single connection and the ASRC is a great feature too. My only selfish quibble is the single HDMI input only. Is it possible to offer a suite of spdif inputs too? It’s be fantastic to have not only a fallback option should an HDMI source be problematic but one could use this with other devices that don’t have an HDMI output. I’m thinking mainly streaming devices here… One could conceivably route all source devices to this and benefit from the dejitter and diagnostics then route into a DSP engine and out via whatever floats their boat.
The good thing about the VanityPRO is that there are virtually endless possibilities how to get the audio out using various output boards. We found a way to even add a standard digital audio input (SPDIF/AES) to make the VanityPRO a digital audio switch with multiple inputs.