Add pre-amp outputs to AVR (Sony STR-DN1080)

Hi,

I have a SONY STR DN-1080, which I am mostly happy with it regarding the sound quality (and not much else).

The thing is I would like to add a preamp output to my receiver to connect them to a DSP and after that an ICEpower amplifier.

I have a few options, and I would like to hear your suggestions/opinions:

1-. Buy an HDMI Audio Extractor with 5.1 or 7.1 outputs like this one:
Kebidu 5.1CH HDMI Audio Extractor decodificar Coaxial a RCA AC3/DST a 5,1 amplificador analogico convertidor 4 K 3D para PS4 DVD-in Cables HDMI from Electronica on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

I would use the secondary HDMI output on my receiver and would have to enable the output AMP+TV option. That way I don't need the HDMI extractor to be HDMI 2.0 nor compatible with 4K or HDR, just good enough to send/convert audio signal.

The problem is that the DAC inside this box is probably garbage and I will loose a good chunk of SQ.

it seems there are better products like these:
Monoprice Blackbird 4K Series 7.1 HDMI Audio Extractor - Monoprice.com

HDMI LPCM 5.1 7.1 To Analog Surround Decoder

But they may be based on the same DAC. There is no much info about them.

2-. Another option is to get a miniDSP nanoAVR HDA like this:
nanoAVR HDA

The only problem with this is the price... I know it's a much better product but it cost as much as my receiver (which I probably can ditch If I get this)

So, what do you think? Is there any better solution between those? Maybe an HDMI to pre-amp with a good DAC without DSP¿?

Oh, and please my friends, don't recommend me to switch AVR to a better model/brand as it is not possible right now.

Thanks!
 
There are balanced analogue outputs you can tap into by soldering or finding an interconnect.


Here is a video of someone that soldered to the motherboard output pins.


YouTube

Awesome!

Thanks for share it! I will definitely take a look at it. balanced outputs? WOW.

I also found that you can add single ended preamp outputs using the HDMI B and an HDMI Audio Extractor. This has some problems, as you need a PCM signal and you lose volume control, but it's plug and play.
 
You are welcome. I am getting the str dn1080 on Wednesday and plan to find a way to use a connector instead of soldering to the board.


They do look like PH connectors, 12 pin and 13 pin. Seems like it would be easy to breakout an additional connector. Let me know what you find out.
 
I already have my DN1080 but I am on the same boat as you...

I want to make an adapter or breakout for an easy plug and play, although I am still a very confused with the with the pictures of the solder points and the pic that shows the pinout (@min 5:24), they don't seem to be the same pcb.

Once I clear my doubts, will buy a few PH connectors (12 and 13pins) and start crimping.
 
Well, I just bit the bullet and removed the cover on my DN1080. I now understand why the solder points are in a different spot than the pic that shows the pin out...

Here are a few of pictures for all the interested people to make and idea of what to do.

One thing I don't understand yet, is the flow of the audio signal... I believe from the HDMI board down to the amplification stage, is this correct?

Any help getting the correct pitch for the connectors is greatly appreciated. JST 1,5mm? JST 1,25mm?
 

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Here is a clearer picture from that same guy.



So from that circuit diagram in his video he is tapping into the preamp outputs that go to the amplifier.


Looks like the holes are around 1/16 of an inch which is 1.5875mm so the nearest match would be 1.5mm.
 

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Here is a clearer picture from that same guy.



So from that circuit diagram in his video he is tapping into the preamp outputs that go to the amplifier.


Looks like the holes are around 1/16 of an inch which is 1.5875mm so the nearest match would be 1.5mm.

Yep, the HDMI board is where the preamp stage should be, and the lower pcb is the amplification stage, so the flow of the audio signal is downwards".

I suspect the mod can be easily done with 2x "Y" shape cable adapters, without any soldering. A more advanced mod would allow a selector for internal or external AMP.

I already located a seller that hast 12pin and 13pin, male and female, JST ZH 1,5mm pitch connectors. The problems is that they sell a minimun of 50pcs!

So, this receiver, with this mod, plus a couple of miniDSP to control volume should be, by far, the cheapest "ghetto" ATMOS audio processor available with XLR aoutputs.
 
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Sorry Guys. I should have joined in on the "fun" a few weeks ago. I'm just going through all the posts now.

If you Guys are up to it and are in North America, we can do a Zoom session and I can show you Guys in more detail than my YouTube Video.

I used a shielded multi-conductor "Snake" Cable to minimize any noise from creeping in.


YouTube

Anyone interested in this mod can email me at rajugsw@gmail.com unless you've already successfully competed it.

Cheers,
Joe
 
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After a few weeks I received my JST ZH connectors. First I bought 12 and 13 pin, but the seller could not ship them so I cancelled the order and got 6 pin and 7 pin from another seller, and finally got them.

Well... confirmed the DN1080 has JST ZH connectors. This weekend I will crimp the "adapters" and try to out put the Left and Right channels to my DSP and check how they sound (and if they sound).
 

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Also,

For those interested, the AMP board has a Headphone header connected to the headphone jack in the front panel.

It looks that it could be very easy to tap the signal here and add a good headphone amplifier to tuck inside the receivers case and wire it to the receivers headphone output jack.
 

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