Page 1 of Wharfdale M5, any good for DTS and DD 5.1?

Hi, I thinking of buying this player instead of a AMP as then i could have two DVD\VCD Players as i have a Philips 711 alreadt but want DTS and Dolby Digital Sound really.

I have the 6 phone inputs on my Hi-Fi Already so would be easy to set up than a Stand A Lone Amp.

What i really would like to know is is the DTS and Dolby Digital Sound as good as it would be with a Stand A Lone Decoder\AMP?

Also if there problems at all with DVD Play back?

Its seems a very good buy at 150 quid with DD DTS and MP3 play back, if fact it seems to good!

I have read about only getting serial numers from 127xxxx onwards, so i take it all the earlyer problems are solved?

Many Thanks, Sam

To take advantage of full onboard DTS/DD decoding, which the M5 will do for you, you will need the matching 5.1 inputs (ie front left & right, centre, rear left & right, and subwoofer). The idea of having onboard decoders is really for that very small minority of people who have ProLogic amplifiers that come with these connections (eg early Technics prologic amps). The added bonus of any player with a DTS decoder, as well as a DD decoder, is that those who just have DD amps (there were a few in the early days) can also benefit from DTS decoding.

Westy has actually given the on-board decoder a good work out over at Area 450 - see http://www.area450.co.uk/testing_the_decoder.htm for his findings

Any early M5 issues have now been resolved - the new batch of players (manufactured 3/2001 and 4/2001, serial no. 127xxxxx & 128xxxxx) are selling like hot cakes, especially at £150.

"The added bonus of any player with a DTS decoder, as well as a DD decoder, is that those who just have DD amps (there were a few in the early days) can also benefit from DTS decoding."

Clayts,
U have helped me before so I hope u can again!
I have a DD amp/decoder combined..............it`s a Cambridge Soundworks DTT3500 system. I`m extremely pleased with both the DD & prologic sound from this little system but cos everyone keeps going on about DTS....................I wanna hear it on this system. So my question is can I use the onboard DTS/DD decoders on the Wharfie M5 & get DTS & DD sound through the DTT3500, bypassing the decoder on the DTT3500 & if so what connections would I use?
IMy system has coaxial & optical out, but it doesn`t have 5.1 inputs so am I right in thinking this won`t work?
Thanks in advance.

Sadly, as the Cambridge Soundworks (primarily a PC desktop speaker system, if truth be told) has no 5.1 inputs you won`t benefit from the on board DTS decoder, I`m afraid. Sorry, mate....

Okay clayts.......thanks anyway!
I actually heard a demo of DTS/DD on a Pioneer system in Scottish Power & the difference to me didn`t actually seem massive, do ya think it`s worth it to upgrade to DTS?
BTW although the DTT3500 is marketed as a desktop speaker system most people would be VERY surprised when they hear this system.
I have yet to exceed 1/2 volume, the sound is crisp,clear, has excellent seperation & bass a plenty ( mine is set @ 40%) & to give you an indication of the power of the bass at this level ( it`s not boomy if the sub is placed correctly either), playing the opening sequence of The Fifth Element @ only 1/3 volume I can make ornaments & doors rattle in my house. Not only that it also handles CD`s better than most sub/sat systems. It may not be up to the likes of seperate systems but in a small/medium size room ( mine is 16` x12`) it`s awesome!
AND, according to Creative they r to bring out a new speaker system that WILL decode DTS so maybe an upgrade is a coming!
Just thought I`d give u my opinion!