[Alsa-user] Re: AC3 Passthrough on Audigy2 ZS not working

[The O. V. <the...@br...>]

> I actually read through those threads, but as you say, the conversation
> trailed off. I have a Sony STR-DE697, so I'm not in exactly the same
> boat as you're in - but given that the AC3 pass-through works correctly
> in windows, there cannot be an inherent hardware problem. I'm
> unfortunately not able to do any capture tests as the basic ZS doesn't
> have an spdif in.
> 
> --phil

Our amps may, however, both be using the same DSP processor for DD/DTS
decoding. Sony doesn't spell out what DSP they are using, but some
digging revealed that some previous Sony models with 32-bit DSPs have
used DSPs from the Analog Devices "SHARC" family of DSPs. I've tried to
find a service manual for the STR-DE697, to make sure, but been
unsuccessful. I'm realistic, so I won't ask you to open up your amp and
take a peek... ;)
Anyway, if they both do use SHARCs, we may still be hitting the exact
same problem, since the part of our amps that actually recieve and
process the SPDIF stream would be the same, even if the amps themselves
have different manufacturers.

In any case, your situation sounds much too similar overall for me not
to believe the root cause isn't the same. Let's see if James or any of
the other alsa devs manage to find something interestnig in the dumps I
provided; if they come up with a fix that solves the problem for me and
Brian, I'm willing to bet it will work for you as well. But time will
tell... :)