The actual written review Dean did is posted on Positive Feedback. There is more coming from them, this is the technical review.
AppleTV X - I am playing with something new
- Thread starter Xymox
- Start date
I’ll happy to reports that after many hours and experimentation I have my Apple TVX performing as I hoped. I think over 4 days I tried just about every combination of settings. Ultimately on the NZ8 the initial installer had the screen gain set at 1.2. I adjusted it to 1.0 and everything came into line. Picture is great, color is great, and sharpness is great!Make sure to send him a PM as well
Okay - I'll bite. Are you talking about a setting in the AppleTV-X system or somewhere else? I don't believe AppleTV with 4k supports toslink, which probably underlies my confusion.
And although I'm not the guy to answer, perhaps someone with the right experience can get you an answer with a little more info...
And although I'm not the guy to answer, perhaps someone with the right experience can get you an answer with a little more info...
Since the Appletv4k only has HDMI output, I assume you are inputting its HDMI into either a tv or external DAC to convert to toslink?
The Appletv-X (or the 2021 Appletv4k on which it is modded) for audio has stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1, or Dolby Atmos in its menu. These are the only choices.
I'm pretty sure this isn't helpful, but perhaps it strikes a chord for you. It's a 2011 question: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3052331?sortBy=rank
There's also this one, from 2023: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255253982?sortBy=rank
There's also this one, from 2023: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255253982?sortBy=rank
I tried finding a dedicated thread for the Switch-X product, but no luck. I could *swear* there's one for it though, so please PM me if you know the name of it and I'll delete this post and re-post in that thread.
I am trying to decide which to do first, so let me give a tiny bit of background. I stream from my Grimm MU1 over an AES connection directly to my Lampi Atlantic 3 DAC. I have also added a Mac mini (M4 chip) to my electronics "stack", and it handles not only the Dirac and other software for my Home Theater room correction, but also runs BACCH-DSP for Mac, which operates via Roon Bridge running on the mini, and outputs via USB to my DAC. (The MU1 is a Roon Core.)
For those that haven't heard it, the BACCH-DSP system is... impressive. I have the entry level, and eventually will upgrade that, but for now I primarily listen to my music run through that system.
So... I have two upgrades I'm considering: (1) add an external USB card (JCAT XE Evo: https://jcat.eu/product/usb-card-xe-evo/) connected to the mini via Thunderbolt connection to an external box (https://www.sonnettech.com/product/echo-express-se1-tb3/overview.html), with the expectation this will materially improve the quality of the USB output to the DAC and (2) a Switch-X/Wifi-X setup.
The former likely will considerably improve the BACCH-DSP for Mac playback. The latter will improve both playback methods - Roon playback from the MU1 as well as playback from the mini. In addition, it should improve my audio and video from my AppleTV-X.
The question I have for Switch-X owners is: in your opinion, is the Switch-X a huge improvement in your system, or is it a little more subtle than that? If it's huge - and I think it will be - I'd like to start with it and do the external USB card later.
Thanks for any comments.
I am trying to decide which to do first, so let me give a tiny bit of background. I stream from my Grimm MU1 over an AES connection directly to my Lampi Atlantic 3 DAC. I have also added a Mac mini (M4 chip) to my electronics "stack", and it handles not only the Dirac and other software for my Home Theater room correction, but also runs BACCH-DSP for Mac, which operates via Roon Bridge running on the mini, and outputs via USB to my DAC. (The MU1 is a Roon Core.)
For those that haven't heard it, the BACCH-DSP system is... impressive. I have the entry level, and eventually will upgrade that, but for now I primarily listen to my music run through that system.
So... I have two upgrades I'm considering: (1) add an external USB card (JCAT XE Evo: https://jcat.eu/product/usb-card-xe-evo/) connected to the mini via Thunderbolt connection to an external box (https://www.sonnettech.com/product/echo-express-se1-tb3/overview.html), with the expectation this will materially improve the quality of the USB output to the DAC and (2) a Switch-X/Wifi-X setup.
The former likely will considerably improve the BACCH-DSP for Mac playback. The latter will improve both playback methods - Roon playback from the MU1 as well as playback from the mini. In addition, it should improve my audio and video from my AppleTV-X.
The question I have for Switch-X owners is: in your opinion, is the Switch-X a huge improvement in your system, or is it a little more subtle than that? If it's huge - and I think it will be - I'd like to start with it and do the external USB card later.
Thanks for any comments.
Can someone post the recommended Apple TV-X settings or post a link to them? I just got a new projector and the 4kHDR picture is so dark compare to 4KSDR. I forgot which setting is recommended and also what to do with match content.
Thanks.
Thanks.
This isn't what you asked for, but you might read it for the background: https://appletvx.com/HDR.htm
If you want to use the Appletv4k recommended settings with a HDR or Dolby Vision 4k display, set it in video settings to 4k SDR, match for both dynamic range and frame rate - at least this worked for my then Sony VW5000ES projector (theater under renovation, with a Sony GTZ-380 replacing) and works great for my basement 65" LG OLED. But with Chris' Appletv-X, you will want to play with not matching dynamic range to "see" if SDR looks better than HDR even for HDR material (I found after months of Appletv-X burn-in with my basement OLED that usually but not always
I like matching the dynamic range.
BIG ISSUE...
I am having a near panic issue with Tariffs and mostly shipping customs delays and expect it to get worse before it gets better.
I have a key part that is made in Hong Kong. This cannot be substituted from anyone else in the world. James Transformers goes back a long time and their transformers are the best in the world for audio use.
jamestransformer.com
I then have a base linear custom made by a company in China. I get these base units and then change some parts and add a circuit for sensing noise cancellation. This is also a issue with Tariffs and customs delays. To do this work in the US with US materials and labor would cost at least 6 times more.
So even with Tariffs which would cost me 3 times more, its still better to go with China.
I have been working nearly 24/7 for days to secure enough inventory for 3 months of production. This *should* ship in the next week. HOWEVER nearly daily this week have come big blows and nearly constant daily changes. Today DHL cut off all international parcels being accepted after April 21st with values above $800 because of the previous tariff changes and overload on customs. Come May 2nd the 90 year old De Minimis law will be killed off by executive order which will cause mass shipping havoc adding 4 million packages per day to customs and require every single package to have customs processing and paperwork. Also everything under $800 will be subject to a doubling or tripling of price in tariffs. So right now tons of buisnesses just like me are trying desperatly to get stuff before May 2nd because customs will become so overloaded it might take 3 months to get things out of customs + you have to pay twice what its worth to get items out in tariffs to the US goverment. Its like a 200% tax.
SO I saw all this coming. I *think* I have everything worked out for at least 3 months of production at current pricing. After that hopefully Trump & China will work out a deal. If not I will also be working to find another way to make linears. So things look good.
HOWEVER my current inventory is a bit low. So I might have some delays.
It SUCKS to me a small business right now based in the US.
I am having a near panic issue with Tariffs and mostly shipping customs delays and expect it to get worse before it gets better.
I have a key part that is made in Hong Kong. This cannot be substituted from anyone else in the world. James Transformers goes back a long time and their transformers are the best in the world for audio use.
R core transformer_James transformer-custom toroidal transformer|R core transformer|O core transformer|C core transformer|EI transformer
R core transformer is a new kind of dry type transformer. the magnetic core of R core transformer is made from continuous silicon steel strip, and the cross section is round, like O core transformer. R core transforer has the advantages of
jamestransformer.com
I then have a base linear custom made by a company in China. I get these base units and then change some parts and add a circuit for sensing noise cancellation. This is also a issue with Tariffs and customs delays. To do this work in the US with US materials and labor would cost at least 6 times more.
So even with Tariffs which would cost me 3 times more, its still better to go with China.
I have been working nearly 24/7 for days to secure enough inventory for 3 months of production. This *should* ship in the next week. HOWEVER nearly daily this week have come big blows and nearly constant daily changes. Today DHL cut off all international parcels being accepted after April 21st with values above $800 because of the previous tariff changes and overload on customs. Come May 2nd the 90 year old De Minimis law will be killed off by executive order which will cause mass shipping havoc adding 4 million packages per day to customs and require every single package to have customs processing and paperwork. Also everything under $800 will be subject to a doubling or tripling of price in tariffs. So right now tons of buisnesses just like me are trying desperatly to get stuff before May 2nd because customs will become so overloaded it might take 3 months to get things out of customs + you have to pay twice what its worth to get items out in tariffs to the US goverment. Its like a 200% tax.
SO I saw all this coming. I *think* I have everything worked out for at least 3 months of production at current pricing. After that hopefully Trump & China will work out a deal. If not I will also be working to find another way to make linears. So things look good.
HOWEVER my current inventory is a bit low. So I might have some delays.
It SUCKS to me a small business right now based in the US.
I feel you my friend! Took me a week to wrestle my 120 custom Japanese Takachi cases for our new JS-4 through customs. I am waiting to see the tariff bill.
You should call me though as I have some ideas for you with regards the R-core situation.
Ooooo....I feel you my friend! Took me a week to wrestle my 120 custom Japanese Takachi cases for our new JS-4 through customs. I am waiting to see the tariff bill.
You should call me though as I have some ideas for you with regards the R-core situation.
We are overdue for a talk.. I have a eye doc appt tomorrow and will call after that.
Yep all of us small mfgrs in the US of electronic things are just getting screwed by this stuff. I would not mid the Tariffs too horribly, but, customs is about to become 1000% overload with DHL/Fedex/UPS all looking at cutting for incoming shipments for a while. THIS is a HUGE issue.
I just cant buy key items from anywhere but China/HK/Taiwan and there is ZERO chanch factories to make these things will magically spring up here in the US. Cases and chassis are another good example. SURE you can get them here, lots of CNC shops, but the price will at least double/triple AND all these places are already overlaoded.
Its a HUGE mess..
But I did just get confirmation that my linears built with the James R-Core on my recent crazy large order will ship before the May 2nd deadline. So I am good for 3 months of production. BUT. Its possible I might have some delay in production before they arrive in like 2-3 weeks.
My main issue right now is the AXPONA show and the recent Posistive Feedback review of the Switch X / Wifi X is creating a spike in demand that is hard to estimate right now. Bill handed me orders today that cleared out my current inventory of Switch X / Wifi X parts. I still have more linears, so, I just order up more parts. So I can build and ship more late next week.
SO... After DAYS of near 24/7 work, it looks like I have it all under control, even if there are big shipping delays.
yes Alex the Tariffs are horrible. Dealer of high end gear from Europe have been hit hard. I know a dealer who on one pallet of amps owed $60k in tariffs and its still stuck in customs. I have a cleint who order a car from Europe and its stuck on a ship because customs is having trouble working out tariffs for everything so they can unload.
What a company should do who makes things in the US is move manufacturing off shore. Like Mexico/Canada or Europe. No restrictions or tariffs on imcoming stuff, no shipping delays. Then the only tariffs are incoming just to the US and the importer pays that. So the best things if you make stuff is to leave the US unstable costly environment. At least IMHO..
Right this minute, a order can be fulfilled nearly immd. This may change in the weeks ahead, but, no long term issues it looks like in the next 3 months. BUT, things have been changing daily. Manufacturing today is highly unstable with rule changes and restrictions occurring nearly daily.
I have been on top of it from weeks back and I dont get many items from overseas. But MANY small companies will be seriously hurt by all this in the next few months.
Similar threads
 | Steve Williams Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator |  | Ron Resnick Site Owner | Administrator |  | Julian (The Fixer) Website Build | Marketing Managersing |