Reality Technologies - New surround technology

[chucky3042]

Hi Q8 and Quadsearcher

Thanks for your comments and truth be know I agree with both viewpoints! Given budget and time I am sure we will release an update model with all the flexibility mentioned and optical inputs while we are at it. Alternatively other licensed manufacturers are welcome do so.

Quadsearcher was very correct in regards to the considerable complication to the circuitry to incorporate HDMI. Apart from our philosophy to keep it simple you must remember that the INVOLVE box uses 2 very advanced DSP chips that are both pushed to their absolute limit (actually we had to trim things a bit). Incorporating HDMI would have implied that the all pass filters used would have to be done within the DSP's and not in the external analogue circuitry as is done presently. To do so would mean considerable reduction of system performance and probable reduction to a 2 not 3 band system.

I am also aware that the top end audiophile world typically prefer straight analogue, the new ME preamp being designed is VERY high end and exclusively uses RCA inputs, more mid- highend market consumer orientated stuff is driving the more "advanced " interfaces. For this initial product release it was just going to increase costs significantly and we felt it more important to keep it below the $400 price point to not price it out of a higher volume market.

Lets wait and see what happens next year.

Regards

Charlie

 

[rustyandi]

To the members in
Melbourne any one who would like to hear the unit
Just let me know and I will arange it
I am in Croydon
No worries about parking
Ron

 

[byrdman7]

Hi

The RRP will be US$395 and as yet there is no exclusive distribution deals and we intend certainly initially to offer direct sales.

We will also offer ONLY TO EXISTING Quadraphonicquad forum members an introductory price for 3 months after release of USD$349 in recognition of the excellent comments and suggestions we have received- BUT there is one catch WITH EACH SALE WE WILL REQUIRE A MINI REVIEW OF THE PERFORMANCE (WARTS AND ALL).

Regards

Charlie

Hi Charlie,
I noticed this morning that the Involve Surround unit is for sale on your website. How do I go about placing a order and receive the QQ Forum Membership discount?

Regards,
Reagan

 

[Overture]

Heya Reagan,

I'll field this one since apparently the website is my domain (pun not intended). I'm actually looking into it at the moment, whether we'll have a separate product page that can only be accessed from here, or if we can implement a discount code, I'm not sure. It will be something along those lines and I'll be investigating it properly on Monday when I have access to the people who can make the necessary changes.

Cheers
David.

 

[byrdman7]

Heya Reagan,

I'll field this one since apparently the website is my domain (pun not intended). I'm actually looking into it at the moment, whether we'll have a separate product page that can only be accessed from here, or if we can implement a discount code, I'm not sure. It will be something along those lines and I'll be investigating it properly on Monday when I have access to the people who can make the necessary changes.

Cheers
David.

Hi David,
Thank you for your reply. I am ready to place my order when you find the best way to go about it.

Regards,
Reagan

 

[TVB]

I WILL buy, but not until I get SQ decoding facilities. (200 SQ records and 6 QS records and not really interested in wearing it out playing back stereo sources).

 

[oxforddickie]

I think you should make that "Accurate SQ decoding"

 

[chucky3042]

Hi TVP

Good things come to those who wait. I have scheduled development of a unit that is switchable between SQ/ QS cores for the specialist surround market (on special order) for early next year. David is currently finalising the miniaturisation of the Total Perspective hardware/ software (in the same plastic box that INVOLVE is waiting for ), when that is complete we will install the option of QS but deleting either 5.1 or TSS (still thinking about that - this is really just for the qq custom requirement.,)

Meanwhile sorry about the delay for the first INVOLVE units but we are still having mold issues and it still looks like 3 weeks before the first units are available. I will show pictures in a few days.

Regards

Charlie

I WILL buy, but not until I get SQ decoding facilities. (200 SQ records and 6 QS records and not really interested in wearing it out playing back stereo sources).

 

[rustyandi]

I have had the QSD1 for nearly 35 years
and have over 500 QS records
But like all of us ther is only about 50 LPs worth playing
I have had the decoder for playing FM Digital radio and Stereo Lps
About 90 pc of use is stereo
And I have been using the Reality unit for the same
I also said to charlie if he is doing a SQ decoder to look up
Linn Olsen for advice
I also would like a SQ unit close or better than the TATE
Ron

 

[QuadonMoto]

I have had the QSD1 for nearly 35 years
and have over 500 QS records
But like all of us ther is only about 50 LPs worth playing
I have had the decoder for playing FM Digital radio and Stereo Lps
About 90 pc of use is stereo
And I have been using the Reality unit for the same
I also said to charlie if he is doing a SQ decoder to look up
Linn Olsen for advice
I also would like a SQ unit close or better than the TATE
Ron

Yeah, right..."close or better than the TATE." The thing is...I jumped when I read:

"The Surround Master contains patented “Involve” technology (see Involve under Technology on this site) which automatically masters in real time, a decode of all stereo compatible surround formats such as Involve, Dolby®, SRS, QS, SQ, and all others, as well as decoding surround from normal stereo. The system achieves perfect reproduction without sonic artefacts such as breathing, pumping, whistles, coloured sound or blurred / unstable imaging."

"...perfect reproduction," "...SQ, and all others." I ordered one within minutes after reading (that) The Grail was only $395.00 away; and...yeah, I'm waiting for the FedEx/DHL man to bring it. Every day between 11 and 3. Cancel the order? OH, NO way! I'll harbor resentment and...brood a lot. But these seem like 'nice guys...' and innovators, at that; and when a real SQ decoder comes available, by George, I'll likely fire off some more $$. Until then I will comfort myself with having (or having had) one of just about everything produced for Quad. And, I guess I'll add, my Tate at least has a remote. Uh.......no need to offer me cheap old bridges for scrap (having already bought one from Al Sharpton). Life is an adventure.

For anyone wondering where I...went, The Aliens released me a while back, about four and a half miles East of Socorro, with an empty tank and a dead battery. They also, apparently, have no concept of pet grooming, since my beard adequately covered everything important.

 

[oxforddickie]

I'm going to openly question these guys advertising methods. People, just beware!

This decoder sounds like the "Holy Grail", but as i tried to state some time ago, theres something wrong with these guys maths.

And there's more to decoding than separation!!!!!!

 

[chucky3042]

Hi Oxforddickie

Actually I largely agree with your comments, I am in the process of curbing the enthusiasm of the people who wrote the text on our website, it still does not properly represent what we are doing in my opinion.

Perhaps, I should clarify things a bit by saying clearly the central core matrix in the decoder is QS based and as such will always struggle to faithfully decode SQ. I claim our "logic" is quite different to what has proceeded it and is based more on how humans perceive sound and as such provides better SQ decode than say a standard QS decoder. For market reasons I am not going to specifics on our techniques. I have stated in this forum that we will release a special edition unit early next year that will also provide SQ (sacrificing either out TSS or 5.1 capacity).

Our mathematics is very correct and I can assure forum members that the core matrix equations are essentially a "bolt in module" it is our subsequent processing that provides what I claim is enhanced performance and in its present format capable of a very powerful stereo decode. You are very correct in saying there is more to decoding than separation.

Our other major claim is with our INVOLVE intelligent adaptive encode format we have removed the previous sonic issue of the stereo encode sounding image compressed without sacrificing apparent decode separation. With involve encode there is no down side to the stereo source material so it can be released on a standard CD, radio, Foxtel without stereo listeners noticing any deterioration. I believe no other format can do that.

Ultimately I am VERY VERY biased and the real proof is what others experience when evaluating our systems. I can honestly state that our research on panels of "test victims" as published on this forum were totally honest, unedited and factual. In short - no one could pick the difference between stereo and INVOLVE encode and most people preferred INVOLVE surround decode to discrete.

Regards

Charlie

I'm going to openly question these guys advertising methods. People, just beware!

This decoder sounds like the "Holy Grail", but as i tried to state some time ago, theres something wrong with these guys maths.

And there's more to decoding than separation!!!!!!

 

[Bob Romano]

I don't know about the math... what I do know is that this box (to my ears) sounds excellent. The separation when decoding QS is phenomenal (as good as the OD Final script) and playing stereo through the decoder is very realistic sounding and creates a very nice surround effect. As with any stereo to surround "decode", your source may effect the actual results. I can say that I put all kinds of sources through it (classical, rock, jazz, dance, ambient etc) and in all kind of formats (mp3 wav ogg etc) amd all my results were very pleasing.

 

[oxforddickie]

Bob,it's a little more than just separation.I did try to bring this 'possible' issue to peoples attention before, and you know what happened then!!!!!

So, i've replied to his posting in a personal email, and am hoping he'll be reply to my concerns

 

[quadsearcher]

By "more than separation" I assume we mean something like "proper directional placement, with correct amplitude"? Separation is a generalization, no? How about "sounds just like a [xyz model] QS decoder but enhanced (in some way) to be more pleasing".
I really do enjoy this information, even if it will be quite a while before I pay off my BDP-93.

Myself, not having many QS records, I just want to hear one certain Dynaquad/EV-4 release as it was heard by engineer Stephen Desper as he was mixing it. Well, several really if you count the Beach Boys quads.

 

[oxforddickie]

By "more than separation" I assume we mean something like "proper directional placement, with correct amplitude"? Separation is a generalization, no? How about "sounds just like a [xyz model] QS decoder but enhanced (in some way) to be more pleasing".
I really do enjoy this information, even if it will be quite a while before I pay off my BDP-93.

Myself, not having many QS records, I just want to hear one certain Dynaquad/EV-4 release as it was heard by engineer Stephen Desper as he was mixing it. Well, several really if you count the Beach Boys quads.

Your not far wrong with your assumptions.......

DY & EV are not really QS compatible, yes you'll get an effect, but accurate? No!

How do i know, i have been working on them for a while, and am testing the new process's for decoding them right now. I and hope to have the first EV & DY releases out very soon. How does over 20db separation all round, and totally in phase sound? A million miles from the official decoders........

 

[quadsearcher]

DY & EV are not really QS compatible, yes you'll get an effect, but accurate? No!

How do i know, i have been working on them for a while, and am testing the new process's for decoding them right now. I and hope to have the first EV & DY releases out very soon. How does over 20db separation all round, and totally in phase sound? A million miles from the official decoders........

Yes, I agree one matrix format decoded by another cannot be accurate. I just want to hear it "as good as can be" and it sounds like you are well on the way! Most excellent news.

 

[rustyandi]

I have played a number of EV4 lps
Through the QSD1 and Reality Tec Decoders
And as I do not know the Maths
I can see through the Scope and with my ears
that they are doing a great job
It looks and sounds as they are QS LPs
the seperation is as good
In the old days when people were selling these Lps
EV4 and QS were bracked as the same
All these lps are not EV4 but these are what I have tested

EV4
1 Ovation OD/1
2 Beach Boys Surf’s Up
2A Beach Boys Surf’s Up(New Heavy Vinyl)
3 Beach Boys Sunflower
4 Jones Tommy Tommy’s Place
5 Bonnie Koloc After All This Time
6 Enoch Light Brass Menagerie
7 Enoch Light Brass Menegerie Vol.2
8 Enoch Light Permissive Polyphonics
9 Big Band Moog
10 QS-1 101 Strings Soul Of Spain Vol 3
11 QS-2 101 Strings Exciting Sounds
12 QS-3 Multiple Guitars
13 QS-4 101 Strings Todays Hits
14 Horn Paul & Concert Ensemble
15 Rich Mountain Tower
16 Hollins & Star Sidewalks Are Talking
17 Billy & Garry Mure Quad Spectalar
18 Sony Costanzo Sonny’s Song
19 Beaver & Kraus Gandharva
20 Travers Mary Mary
21 Crewe Bob Generation
22 The Flame (Brother Lable)
23 Johannesen Grant Plays American Piano Music
24 Schory Dick Movin’ On
25 Turner Jim Well Tempered Saw
26 Carl & Passions So Tough
27 Godzundheit
28 Erickson Tapes
29 Supercord Contempory
30 Dynaco 4 Demensional Demo Record
31 Pioneer 4 Channel Record PQX-1002
32 Otto 4 Channel Demo Nas-230
33 Otto 4 Channel Demo Nas-215
34 Otto 4 Channel Demo Nas-225
35 Fisher Test & Performance CD4-SQ
36 Quadrafile SQ-QS CD4-UD4 2 LPs
37 Mussorgsky Picutures At An Exibition (DBX Encoded)
38 Invasion U.S.A (Dolby Encoded)???
39 Holst The Planets St. Louis Sym. (DBX Encoded)
40 Beaver & Krause All Good Men
41 Strauss Richard Salome Don Jaun Cincinnati Sym. (DBX-QS)
42 A Slavonic Festival St. Louis Sym. Slatkin.(DBX-QS)
43 Beaver & Krause In A Wild Sanctuary
44 Ferrari Larry Encore
45 Tweedy Don Chorus & Orch
46 Salzedo Sonata Fraicheur. Adams Galante (Sound Storage)
47 Bondon Claude Debussy Carter Chamber Orch.(Sound Storage)
48 Carl & Passions So Tough/Pet Sounds 2 LPs
49 Otto 4 Channel Demo Nas-340
50 Florida All-State 1972 (3LPs)
51 Steele Ron Chicago Guitar

 

[oxforddickie]

I can see through the Scope and with my ears
that they are doing a great job
It looks and sounds as they are QS LPs
the seperation is as good


They ARE NOT compatible....Period

What you hear is a happy experience.

Mow, when it comes to DY & EV, they are basically the same with a very small difference. DY would have sounded as good as EV (if you can call what came out of the decoder as good!) going through the first EV decoder. The second , so called 'universal' EV/SQ decoder was nothing but a useles waste of components, it did nothing well!

 

[chucky3042]

Hello Again

We are getting closer to final product and just trying to nail down presentational issues primarily associated with the plastic enclosure, frankly the process has been an expensive misery. As you can see from the attached photo's we have several fitting issues an the overall quality look and feel of the box is not right. We are trying a few different types of materials at the moment.

Good things come to those who wait!!!!

Regards

Charlie