For sale, my Thule AV processor, as shown here:
Before we go any further, this processor does not support HD audio formats via HDMI or have 5.1 analogue bypass. Being a processor, it also does not include any power amplification. If you really need any of those, stop reading now.
Now, onto the good stuff. This is a high-end legacy processor from the now deceased Danish manufacturer Thule. When new, I believe that they retailed for going on for £1800. The unit is fully working and as can be seen, is a lot more classy looking that most of the stuff on the market. I'm guessing that the closest equivalent competitor to this unit would be something like the Meridian 565.
It's best to think of it as three solutions all married rather well into a single box, i.e.
- brilliant two channel pre-amp utilising high quality PSUs (over 20 if I remember correctly), lovely volume control, and a set of RCA or fully balanced inputs and outputs that completely bypass all of the AV circuits
- high quality stereo capable DAC (I'll come back to that shortly)
- high quality AV processing on DPL, DD and DTS. Note that this amp completely eschews the usual high street manufacturers naff modes such as "concert" (for which read, "in the concert hall bogs"). All you get is DPL, DD and DTS, but it's done very well.
Connection wise, it has seven analogue stereo inputs (one of which is balanced), three toslink optical inputs and 5 coaxial SPDIF inputs.
Outputs include balanced outputs for front stereo speakers, 6.2 channel RCA phono (2 fronts, 2 rears, 2 centres and 2 subs).
It does also support video input and output via composite and s-vid, but in these days of HDMI, I assume that not many people will be actually using these. Personally I only used a video output to assist with the menu setup.
As this amp doesn't have a whole bunch of pointless settings, the menu is actually very straightforward to use, and for anyone who collects, I'll walk them through the process (doesn't take long).
So, onto what it's like. For the money, bloody brilliant.
I bought this to replace a Yamaha E800, which is well thought of on these forums. Frankly, the Thule walked all over the Yam and spat it out the other side. I was shocked at how much better the Thule was.
Once I'd settled in to using it, couldn't resist comparing my SB+ (SB+ via analogue into the Thule vs the Thule as a DAC being driven by the digital output on the SB+). I actually slightly preferred the Thule as a DAC. Wasn't much in it, more personal preference than anything, but IMO it was slightly more "natural" in it's presentation style.
More recently, I took along the Thule to get a feel for how good some of the Linn DS streamers were. IMO whilst the Akurate was definitely better (as it should be costing £4k). However the Thule was VERY similar overall to the Majik. Being in mind that the Majik costs a cool £2k and you start to get a feel for how well I regard what is an AV processor.
For films, I've used the Thule on the backend of a DVD player, Samsung BD player (via coax digital) and more recently a PS3 (via optical). No the Thule can't process HDMI signals, but is still made all of those sound brilliant.
To cover your question about "so if it's so good, why's it's going?". As one of the "statistics" of the economy, I'm in the process of simplifying a number of my areas of interest. Done my camera and watches. Time to do the stereo unfortunately.
Here's the official specs:
- Precision volume control with 0.5dB adjustment step and 100dB range
- Direct key access to channel trim adjustments with 0.5dB adjustment step
- Delay adjustment for center, surround left and surround right channels
- Direct key access to input selection
- Most inputs can be assigned as analogue, electrical digital or optical
- Sensitivity for analogue inputs to DSP can be adjusted for improved dynamic
range
- S-video and composite video switching with 70MHz bandwidth
- Video encoder with On Screen Display (OSD), which is automatically bypassed when not used
- Flexible speaker settings with extensive bass management
- Adjustable crossover frequency (60 ââ'¬â€œ 120Hz) for bass management
- Dynamic range compression e.g. for improved performance in noisy
environments
- New 56362 Motorola DSP with 100 MIPS (Million Instructions Per Second)
- Upgradable design for coming sound formats
- 8 pcs. Burr Brown 24bit/96kHz D/A converters
- True differential D/A conversion in Left and Right channels for optimal
performance with 24bit/96kHz stereo sound from DVD audio disc's.
- Pure analogue input with true balanced pure analogue signal path
- 32 ââ'¬â€œ 96 kHz PCM stereo
- Dolby Pro Logic decoding
- Dolby Digital decoding with auto detection
- DTS decoding with auto detection
The sale will include the unit itself, the remote (not shown, but fully working) and a new print of the manual. Unfortunately I don't have the original box, and the original manual was "read" a little too thoroughly by my son last year.
I do have a copy of the manual in PDF format. It's 1.6MB, but if you wish to have a scan, PM me with your email ID and I'll let you have a copy.
The unit can either be collected from Sutton (south London near Kingston), or I can post to England, Scotland or Wales. Please don't ask if you're outside of those countries.
Looking for £300 + £15 postage.
Any questions, feel free to ask.
Before we go any further, this processor does not support HD audio formats via HDMI or have 5.1 analogue bypass. Being a processor, it also does not include any power amplification. If you really need any of those, stop reading now.
Now, onto the good stuff. This is a high-end legacy processor from the now deceased Danish manufacturer Thule. When new, I believe that they retailed for going on for £1800. The unit is fully working and as can be seen, is a lot more classy looking that most of the stuff on the market. I'm guessing that the closest equivalent competitor to this unit would be something like the Meridian 565.
It's best to think of it as three solutions all married rather well into a single box, i.e.
- brilliant two channel pre-amp utilising high quality PSUs (over 20 if I remember correctly), lovely volume control, and a set of RCA or fully balanced inputs and outputs that completely bypass all of the AV circuits
- high quality stereo capable DAC (I'll come back to that shortly)
- high quality AV processing on DPL, DD and DTS. Note that this amp completely eschews the usual high street manufacturers naff modes such as "concert" (for which read, "in the concert hall bogs"). All you get is DPL, DD and DTS, but it's done very well.
Connection wise, it has seven analogue stereo inputs (one of which is balanced), three toslink optical inputs and 5 coaxial SPDIF inputs.
Outputs include balanced outputs for front stereo speakers, 6.2 channel RCA phono (2 fronts, 2 rears, 2 centres and 2 subs).
It does also support video input and output via composite and s-vid, but in these days of HDMI, I assume that not many people will be actually using these. Personally I only used a video output to assist with the menu setup.
As this amp doesn't have a whole bunch of pointless settings, the menu is actually very straightforward to use, and for anyone who collects, I'll walk them through the process (doesn't take long).
So, onto what it's like. For the money, bloody brilliant.
I bought this to replace a Yamaha E800, which is well thought of on these forums. Frankly, the Thule walked all over the Yam and spat it out the other side. I was shocked at how much better the Thule was.
Once I'd settled in to using it, couldn't resist comparing my SB+ (SB+ via analogue into the Thule vs the Thule as a DAC being driven by the digital output on the SB+). I actually slightly preferred the Thule as a DAC. Wasn't much in it, more personal preference than anything, but IMO it was slightly more "natural" in it's presentation style.
More recently, I took along the Thule to get a feel for how good some of the Linn DS streamers were. IMO whilst the Akurate was definitely better (as it should be costing £4k). However the Thule was VERY similar overall to the Majik. Being in mind that the Majik costs a cool £2k and you start to get a feel for how well I regard what is an AV processor.
For films, I've used the Thule on the backend of a DVD player, Samsung BD player (via coax digital) and more recently a PS3 (via optical). No the Thule can't process HDMI signals, but is still made all of those sound brilliant.
To cover your question about "so if it's so good, why's it's going?". As one of the "statistics" of the economy, I'm in the process of simplifying a number of my areas of interest. Done my camera and watches. Time to do the stereo unfortunately.
Here's the official specs:
- Precision volume control with 0.5dB adjustment step and 100dB range
- Direct key access to channel trim adjustments with 0.5dB adjustment step
- Delay adjustment for center, surround left and surround right channels
- Direct key access to input selection
- Most inputs can be assigned as analogue, electrical digital or optical
- Sensitivity for analogue inputs to DSP can be adjusted for improved dynamic
range
- S-video and composite video switching with 70MHz bandwidth
- Video encoder with On Screen Display (OSD), which is automatically bypassed when not used
- Flexible speaker settings with extensive bass management
- Adjustable crossover frequency (60 ââ'¬â€œ 120Hz) for bass management
- Dynamic range compression e.g. for improved performance in noisy
environments
- New 56362 Motorola DSP with 100 MIPS (Million Instructions Per Second)
- Upgradable design for coming sound formats
- 8 pcs. Burr Brown 24bit/96kHz D/A converters
- True differential D/A conversion in Left and Right channels for optimal
performance with 24bit/96kHz stereo sound from DVD audio disc's.
- Pure analogue input with true balanced pure analogue signal path
- 32 ââ'¬â€œ 96 kHz PCM stereo
- Dolby Pro Logic decoding
- Dolby Digital decoding with auto detection
- DTS decoding with auto detection
The sale will include the unit itself, the remote (not shown, but fully working) and a new print of the manual. Unfortunately I don't have the original box, and the original manual was "read" a little too thoroughly by my son last year.
I do have a copy of the manual in PDF format. It's 1.6MB, but if you wish to have a scan, PM me with your email ID and I'll let you have a copy.
The unit can either be collected from Sutton (south London near Kingston), or I can post to England, Scotland or Wales. Please don't ask if you're outside of those countries.
Looking for £300 + £15 postage.
Any questions, feel free to ask.
