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This topic comprises 3 pages: 1 2 3
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Author
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Topic: USL DAX 602 vs Dolby DA20 opinons
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Scott Norwood
Film God
Posts: 8146
From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 12-01-2011 08:56 PM
Related question: which is likely to be serviceable for film-only use further into the future--a CP65 or CP650? Obviously, the latter model is newer, but my inclination is to think that the analog unit, with its more basic components, would be more easily serviced without manufacturer support.
I have been tempted by the cheap CP650s on the used market, but have stuck with the CP65 in my screening room for this reason. Should I think about upgrading even though I have no use for the additional features on the 650? In my case, sound quality is secondary to longevity. I have a spare preamp card, matrix card, and power supply, which are presumably the most likely parts to fail. I probably should get a spare control card, too, if I decide to keep the thing.
In principle, I'd rather upgrade my speakers than the processor, but I wonder how long the glut of CP650s will last....
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Dave Macaulay
Film God
Posts: 2321
From: Toronto, Canada
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 12-01-2011 10:27 PM
Scott, your CP65 will probably be working long after a CP650 will have bricked. If you collect a few spare boards (certainly the film boards are being discarded in large volumes as cinemas with CP65s convert to D-cinema: the preamp, NR, and matrix cards are usually removed and tossed to reduce power draw and heat) you should be good for many years. There are some completely obsolete and unobtainable semiconductors in the CP65, but they are pretty durable. Fairly complete schematics are available for the CP65 and the parts, even if unavailable, were once standard and you can still find archived datasheets that describe exactly what they do. A software based unit like the CP650 is a different animal: the software is proprietary and the schematics are meaningless - they use programmed logic arrays and the like whose purpose can be guessed at but the actual functionality is unfathomable without (unpublished) programming data. When it breaks, probably only Dolby will be able to fix it... will they be fixing them in 10 years?
As to the original question... the DAX is not a film sound processor, and - if I understand what you want to do - would be useless. Adding a DA20 to your Panastereo will get you Dolby Digital film sound. You should be able to get one for very cheap or free. Forget the DA10, even free is overpriced. DTS is an option too but getting the discs can be a struggle now and once film is eliminated this will become impossible.
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Tony Bandiera Jr
Film God
Posts: 3067
From: Moreland Idaho
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 12-02-2011 06:20 PM
quote: Dave Macaulay
There are some completely obsolete and unobtainable semiconductors in the CP65, but they are pretty durable.
Durable or not, obsolete and unobtainable is just that. ![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif) When/if that part blows, guess what? You're still screwed.
quote: Dave Macaulay
Fairly complete schematics are available for the CP65 and the parts, even if unavailable, were once standard and you can still find archived datasheets that describe exactly what they do.
...Which doesn't mean squat unless you are a semiconductor manufacturer and/or have the resources (read: really big bank account) to have an obsolete part re-manufactured for you. Oh, and be prepared for a minimum quantity requirement....oh, say 500-1000 units.
Even a re-design of the circuitry to use current parts would be prohibitively expensive.
quote: Dave Macaulay
A software based unit like the CP650 is a different animal: the software is proprietary and the schematics are meaningless - they use programmed logic arrays and the like whose purpose can be guessed at but the actual functionality is unfathomable without (unpublished) programming data.
The software is readily available, I have several versions. Now the firmware is most definitely proprietary and you would have to get that from Dolby.
Even now, with the processor in current production, it would be impractical to do component level repairs so that part of your argument is worthless IMHO.
quote: Dave Macaulay
When it breaks, probably only Dolby will be able to fix it... will they be fixing them in 10 years?
Why not? Look at how long they supported ALL of their previous analog processors after production ended.
And since a lot of CP-650's are likely to be retained even by all-digital houses, I expect Dolby's support to continue for quite some time.
Finally, since CP-650's used have come down so much in price, you can probably afford to pick up a spare of you're so worried about parts.
Victor, (and Ian) listen: You have an analog processor that is no longer made, is noisier than a CP-650, and does not support digital film or D-Cinema.
FOR THE SAME (or less) money than you'd end up spending on a CP-750, you can get the best of ALL worlds with a CP-650. (With the input limitations that Steve pointed out.)
And I can set you up with fully automatic switching between DTS and any other 6ch analog input source with one simple add on card (hint: DTS/DataSat makes it) like I did at UC Irvine.
Trust me on this one man.
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Tony Bandiera Jr
Film God
Posts: 3067
From: Moreland Idaho
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 12-02-2011 08:52 PM
Victor, Victor, Victor......oy veh.
Let me spell this out yet again:
New CP750: $3500
Good, used, LOADED CP-650: $3500 or more likely LESS.
S/N performance of CP-650: Much better than ANY CP55 or CP65.
Versatility: Well above anything other than a CP-200, there are TONS of new Formats in the CP-650 in both Analog and digital (AES) processes.
Availability and support: Still available for CP-650.
Dude, my fully loaded CP-65 is now sitting on my office floor..I replaced it with a fully loaded CP-650 that cost me $3000. Worth every penny.
You DA-20 has some resale value so your ultimate cost for a CP-650 will be a lot less than what I quoted. The CP-55 is worth no more than a few hundred, same for the SRA-5.
Unless this is your home screening room, don't fall in love with the CP55/SRA5/DA20 combo. It is, in today's world, the FM table radio of cinema sound.
Gain a bunch of rack space, get better sound and install something that is readily supported.
Go CP650!!!!
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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