I wasn't that early. I waited until I could buy a DVD player with a hardware multi region mod and built in Dolby Digital and DTS decoder to 5.1 analogue outs to connect to my external pro logic decoder 5.1 inputs (Arcam Xeta 2 at the time connected to Arcam Delta 290 integrated stereo amp). The Xeta 2 multi channel analogue inputs were on a 25 pin D type connector and I had to buy a special lead from that to 6 RCAs.
I still have my Panasonic 950 S-VHS deck in my rack and it still works. It was pretty much the top end deck towards the end of when you could still get decent decks. It has jog/shuttle and even jog/shuttle on the remote control! Built in edit controller (if you had 2 decks which I didn't), digital 2D comb filter for luma/chroma separation, digital timebase correction and noise reduction (both of which actually work usefully) and a bunch of other top end features. It's the most high end bit of kit I bought prior to my current AV amp. It has such presence in the rack I can't bring myself to pull it out. Plus I'd have a gap, less components over the years as more gets integrated into AVRs. I even still have 6 brand new in the shrink wrap 180 minute S-VHS tapes.
My new Yamaha AVR duplicates the surround signal into the backs automatically which I love the effect of. It just wraps around. Before I had this functionality I was actually taking 4.0 and 5.1 files into audacity and I would do the duplication the receiver is now doing and create new 6.0 and 7.1 files. I no longer have to do that.
Such is the compromise of not having rear speakers placed near the corners anymore... Listening to quad was much easier with a 5.1 channel speaker set-up!
Works perfectly. Surrounds at the side of the sweet spot up the wall and backs close to being in the back corners. As I said, sounds fantastic.
I worked with VCRs (both Beta and VHS. Oh, and U-matic!) in several jobs, and I had a Mitsubishi S-VHS hi-fi deck for several years until you couldn’t get parts for it. I have about a dozen tapes that I want to digitize, but it’s not much of a priority these days.
The sides (surrounds) and rears (backs) blend beautifully. Creates a nice 360 effect with the fronts. Like a giant pair of headphones.
I feel the same way. I guess I’m just used to real Quad, the vintage Way and would love to hear the new mixes in that way. And I have decided not to go Dolby Atmos and all of that. I’m more interested in to channel listening, and Quad and don’t really even care so much for my 7.1 for movies and such. That’s just not a priority for me. Also, I am burden by the fact that my surrounds our Axiom QS8s which are quad polar, So they are loud and projecting up down forward and back but it’s distracting. At least in my ears.
Oh my gosh! I didn’t even think of this, and I have a capable Oppo. Probably just not so much extra room, but that gives me stuff to think about. Yay!Oh the benefits of having an OPPO with multiple analogue output connected to multiple stereo amplifiers. I only switch on the amps I require
