Developping a stereo system replacing spark + dialog

[jcd1877]

How do you control the volume at the end ?
Does it disable the Bluetooth ?

This is going to be my test solution using direct optical:

• As I don't have an issue with running cables, both phantoms will be set to L or R using above procedure.
  
• The optical feeds from each Phantom will be fed from an optical splitter (https://www.cablechick.com.au/cables/ave...itter.html)
  
• The input to the optical splitter will be from a Yamaha WXC-50
  

I want to have a go at this solution for a few reasons:

• I'm so over the Spark app
  
• Although input selection is on auto - it often gets confused
  
• Desperately want to get rid of the face cream remote control - on to my second one now which has also had a repair job. They just aren't very robust in a family environment
  
• Speaking of family - they all hate having a second remote for just the Phantom volume management. Constantly get asked why our universal remote wont control them - try explaining that one!!!
  
• I love a good sounding system - but I'm no audiophile - thus I only have the whites and a dialog. System does both music and TV - therefore needs to be family friendly
  
• Because I'm not an audiophile, I'm happy to see how the volume control goes in the digital domain within the WXC-50. They can be set to either a pre-amp mode or player mode. Pre-amp mode gives you 48bit resolution volume control in the digital output.
  

If I had realised how family-unfriendly the Phantom setup was, would have done something else maybe. BUT - I do love the sound quality from such a compact setup.

So waiting on my WXC-50 to arrive. Will let you know how I go.

48 bits of volume should be ample if implemented decently.
Many recording studios run active monitors full power while controlling the input volume digitally (as well as analogue often). Probably many are using 48bit or less. But what’s good enough for the studios that create the master source files, often isn’t good enough for audiophiles.....

Am really interested to hear how this works out.

Finally got the whole system up and running and all god so far.

I'm experimenting a little with the different volume settings. The direct optical mode has three of which I tried the 0dB initially. Found that the overall volume was a bit too low. Have reset the phantoms to +12dB and this is much better.

At the same time, found the WXC-50 has options to adjust various input volumes, so still a bit of fine tuning to get the right settings in play.

I was also worried about how the active optical splitter would work and if there would be any time differences in the two streams. But all is good with stereo imaging just as good a before 

The best thing is that the wife is happy to finally have all functions back on the one remote!!!

So this solution is great if you have a stereo setup with the ability to run fibre to the Phantoms. Mine is all set up on a long TV cabinet, so an easy install.

All in all, very happy with the final outcome.