Gefen TV GTV-DD-2-AA Digital Audio Decoder

Works as advertised

[1. A small problem in the choice of compatible cables] The RCA sockets are very close to each other on this Gefen product. So many cables with not-so-thin RCA plug (e.g. RadioShack RCA cable that has slightly bulging out handle) cannot be inserted. [2. Dolby down-mixing does not sound right] The analog audio output level becomes significantly lower when it does Dolby down-mixing. So you get loudness-change-shock when the sound source changes from Dolby 5.1 to PCM stereo. The Dolby 5.1 sound source used in this test were two DVDs (one WB and one Disney) purchased at Walmart. I carefully compared three PCM DA converters and four Dolby down-mixers. The Dolby down-mixers in the Gefen converter and the Comprehensive converters gave lower output level than the two other Dolby down-mixers. Of course, I made sure that features such as automatic volume control (audio dynamic range control) are off on the DVD or Blu-ray players. All the PCM DA converters produced around 2 Vrms from 0dBFS sinusoidal tone test track on a test CD (red-book CD, so just stereo PCM, not Dolby 5.1). Three PCM DA converters tested: Gefen Digital Audio Converter GTV-DD-2-AA-CO Comprehensive Digital/Analog Audio Converter with Dolby Digital Decoder CCN-ADDA Sony DVP-SR510H DVD player Four Dolby 5.1 to stereo down-mixers tested: Gefen Digital Audio Converter GTV-DD-2-AA-CO Comprehensive Digital/Analog Audio Converter with Dolby Digital Decoder CCN-ADDA Sony BDP-S6500 Blu-ray player Sony DVP-SR510H DVD player [3. Jitter high-on-the-graph but not a serious problem] There are some online consumer reviews talking about high jitter from Gefen Digital Audio Converter GTV-DD-2-AA-CO. I see the jitter with my eyes on the measurement graph, but I cannot not directly point out the “high-on-the-graph” jitter with my ears. Anyway, for those who are interested, I want to share my experience. Comprehensive Digital/Analog Audio Converter with Dolby Digital Decoder CCN-ADDA showed lower jitter than Gefen converter. My mac's output and a hi-fi DAC's audio output showed still lower jitter.