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Easily switch between surround-sound inputs, plus decoding of Dolby and DTS signals
Some homes now have several surround-sound devices, such as games consoles, Blu-ray players and computers.
If you only have one set of surround speakers it can be hard to connect everything: you might have to scrabble around behind the equipment to change cables every so often.
A home cinema amplifier will take all the inputs and send them to the speakers as needed but it is expensive. Instead, a Teufel's Decoderstation 5 can accept four digital sound inputs (two optical, two coaxial), three stereo inputs and one analogue six-channel surround-sound input (the digital inputs handle surround too).
It connects to a standard set of powered surround speakers, including the ones commonly bundled with computers, allowing the user to easily switch between inputs.
It's a neat, compact box with a screen that lights up blue when on. The remote control has admirably few options – essentially just the buttons to change inputs.
There is a built-in decoder for Dolby Digital, as well as being able to scale a stereo signal up, so that you can listen to stereo films and television in surround sound using all six speakers.
If you’re having a surround-sound cable nightmare, this box is a good answer.
Read more reviews
Not a cheap product, but one that works superbly for switching between surround-sound sources
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Personal Review
I live in cyprus and ordered this item a back in May. I received it about 3 weeks later and well, although i was disappointed with the shipping process which may or may not be the fault of Teufel, I am amazed at this device. I used to use a Creative DDTS-100 decoder to connect my bluray player, my macbook pro, my xbox 360, and my cable box to and that used to decode everything into a 5.1 signal for my logitech x-350 speakers to use. But then since the decoder was a friends, he took it back and i was lost. Until i found and ordered the decoderstation. after the long wait i received it, and i have to say it is much better than the Creative DDTS-100 decoder. They both have the same functions, and even though the Teufel Decoderstation only has 2 optical inputs vs the Creative's 3 optical inputs, i have to say the beautiful display on the Decoderstation makes you forget this problem. The screen shows you everything you need in such a nice, sleek way. The only thing that some people might have a problem with is that the Decoderstation has an output for 6 different speakers. Each speaker in a 5.1 system has its own output. This was a problem for me because the x-350 speakers have three 3.5mm cables, a green one, a black one and a pink one. But I received the decoderstation prepared and knowing this, i had previously purchased 3, 3.5mm female to 2 cinch cable male splitters which i used to connect to each of the cables and into the decoder. Other than that, this was the only possible problem present. I give this decoderstation a 100% rating due to the simple fact it is exactly what i needed and it works perfectly. I have not noticed that the sound quality decreased in any manner, and i love how the decoderstation also works perfectly with my Logitech Harmony One remote. Everything works in harmony now, no need to unplug my speakers from one thing to plug into another. The decoderstation also allows you to change the power of each individual speakers which i found greatly useful because i sit further away from the back speakers than the front speakers, so i tweaked it so the rear speakers were slightly louder, and i also put the subwoofers volume down because the x-350's have the tendency to have ridiculously loud subwoofers even when turning the sub all the way down from the knob on the back of the sub itself.. Now there will be no more crazy subwoofer caused headaches. I love this device with all my life and hope i dont encounter any future problems with it just because i love it too much, and if i do, ill just buy another one. Highly recommend this to anyone who needs something like a creative ddts because this is just much better.
Posted by Ryan Hammoud, 19 Jun 2009