Dolby digital decoder $79 + shipping ***NOT A RECEIVER***

[anandfan]

Here is a Dolby Digital decoder for $79. Made by Vantas, sold by PC Liquidator. Somebody buy this and tell me if its worth it! Never heard of Vantas, but its heavy -- 31 pounds; that's only 2.50/pound!

http://www.pcliquidator.com/vantas.htm

Edit:Fixed link. Corrected title (not receiver, just decoder)Thanks for all the comments.

 

[BA]

It's not a receiver. It's a Dolby Digital decoder and 3 channel amp. You add it on to an existing Pro-Logic receiver and it drives the center and surround channels.

Gets pretty good reviews at Audioreview, and regular price on it seems to be something like $400, so it's a good deal if you already have a NICE Pro-Logic receiver.

 

[tigerbait]

Hmmn.. That looks very interesting. But do you even need a Pro-Logic Receiver to use with it? Since it has onboard decoding and amplification for the center and surrounds, all you need is a 2 channel amp to go with it. So any stereo receiver should be able to receive the output from the Vantas. Does this make sense, or am I way off base?
This seems like a good deal, but if there are any audiophiles out there with more info, please give your opinion.


EDIT-- just found this same unit listed here for $1100.

That would definitely classify $80 as very hot. Has anyone ordered from PC Liquidator before?

 

[unclebud]

http://www.res*ll*rr*tings.com/comview.cgi?PCLiquidators
i hope its ok to do this

 

[Teekster]

For all of you interested in this thread, this is the only add on dolby digital processor in existence for pro-liogic receivers. If you were like me, and spent a lot of money on a high end pro-logic amp before DD came out, this is your key to avoiding obsolescence. I bought one of these from Audio Advisors this summer on a closeout for $300. It works very well and is almost invisible in the system. When I pop in a DVD, the Vantas unit kicks in and takes over and changes to Dolby Digital. It senses the level of your main speakers and adjusts the center and surrounds accordingly.

The link above to pcliquidator is not specific about which of their 2 units they are selling. The DPA-P87 is for Dolby Pro-logic systems, and the DPA-S50 is for 2 channel stereo systems.

I have spoken with the reps before and this is supposed to be upgradable in the future for DTS and other formats, I don't know the status of these upgrades now.

the link to vantas is: www.vantas.com

THIS IS A REALLY HOT DEAL!!!

P.S. know I'm drooling over this product, but I don't work for vantas or pcliquidator

 

[vroom1018]

I can't get the link to the site to work....anyone else have this problem?...also, just tried www.pcliquidator.com and it doesn't work either. vroom

 

[TigerNY]

here you go:

link

 

[VenGog]

try this.
http://www.pcliquidator.com/vantas.htm

the one on the top has two http://'s

 

[tigerbait]

the link from the first post has the http:// twice.

here is a working link

 

[cowhide]

I just called it is the DPA-P87 model on sale. Shucks, I needed the DPA-S50. I have an old McIntosh integrated amp with McIntosh speakers and have been thinking about some way to get to digital while
still using my old stuff. This would be very cool. I will have to find a deal somewhere on the S50.

 

[CecilSaxon]

I have one in my cart right now.

I just wanted to let you all know my wife hates this forum...

 

[Golgo13]

Damn just when I though I wouldn't charge anything else on my card. You guys "PULL ME BACK IN" urgh.

 

[TigerNY]

well at least i am not alone in charging too much to the card and getting in trouble with the wife for being on here....
my credit card usage has gone up significantly since i'm here... let's see if we get the DPA-P87 or maybe the DPA-S50

 

[tigerbait]

cowhide says it is the 87, not the 50. This means you have to have a Pro Logic receiver in order to use the Vantas.

 

[cowhide]

can anyone tell me what the difference is between the 50 and 87? They look the same other than a few more connections on the back of the 50. I have partially read the manuals of each and both seem the same. I am wondering if this would work with a regular 2 channel stereo

 

[acedaddy323]

I have a pro logic receiver. is this really worth it though. what about this dts. someone said its missing that. Should I wait for one with this too??

 

[Dantzig]

I have a 6-speaker Pro-Logic stereo system (Sharp CD-C3800). It's an integrated component system (receiver, CD player, tape deck, radio all one unit). 1. Will this box work for me? 2. If it will, is it worth buying or should I just save up for some really good stereo equipment?

 

[tigerbait]

The 50 is designed to add Dolby Digital 5.1 capability to a 2 channel stereo receiver; the 87 is designed to work with a Pro-Logic receiver.

and acedaddy:
It is very difficult to discern the differences between Dolby Digital and DTS. Moreover, there are still only a handful of DTS titles out there.

 

[acedaddy323]

While we are on the topic. do you guys know anything about the virgin H card found in some receivers. it suppose to give you the free preview channels???? at least that is what i found on eb@y descriptions..

 

[dealchecker]

Seems interesting, but can't bear the $20 shipping charge. Forget it.

 

[tigerbait]

Virgin H cards are related to Digital Satellite System receivers. Nowadays, the receivers you can buy come with HU card ( they have a football player on the front). The old H cards (have a satellite on front) are worth a lot of money because some people hack these to get free TV. The virgin cards ( there probably aren't many around anymore) like you said will just play the preview channels when you put them in until you subscribe to DirecTV

 

[buffboy]

tigerbait-
u are wrong in sayin that these aren't in circulation any more, tons of places are selling them, but it would be a good idea to keep the talk about these on the "down-low" since they can be "programmed", lol. Just last summer, my dad bought a RCA dolby digital receiver (satellite) and an "H" card for only 350!!!! that's a great price, these cards usually sell for around that alone!

 

[tigerbait]

ok.. my bad... don't know too much about them, just what i've read on some message boards.

 

[Golgo13]

Actually, they are not in circulation in ANY new DSS receivers. You may luck out and find an old system with an H card in some warehouse that hasn't been sold, otherwise, you'll be relegated to the secondary market (forums, flea markets & e*ay) to acquire the cards. How did this thread jump off topic? Especially the when the deal is darn HOT?

 

[Fiddy]

I don't like the fact that you have to use the speaker outputs. Seems to me that would add noise to the signal.