[Greg Malcangi]

I’m looking to cost a system to be used for Atmos (HT, 7.1.4). Unfortunately, I don’t have any experience with the Dolby Renderer, which will run on the same Mac Studio Ultra, nor with Dante, which I’ll need downstream (Trinnov MC Pro Dante). So any advice, pitfalls or faults I’ve missed with my two options below would be greatly appreciated! I already have a Sync HD from a previous setup btw and will probably use either a BM Ultrastudio HD Mini or 4K Mini (thunderbolt).

Option 1: Thunderbolt HDX, MTRX Studio (using Hybrid Engine). Routing: PT->Renderer In (DAB on Aux I/O). Renderer Out->HDX (PT)->Monitor out to Dante via MTRX Studio/Dadman->Trinnov. Question: Is the sync likely to be flakey using the Aux I/O with the Dolby Audio Bridge?

Option 2: DAD Core 256 and a Focusrite XP2 (2 mic inputs, output to Dante). Routing: PT->Core 256 (128ch Dante/Core Audio)->Renderer In. Renderer Out->Core 256 (Dante/Core Audio)->Dadman routing to PT and Trinnov. Note: Obviously I won’t get frame edge sync but my previous experience is this hasn’t been too much of an issue (although not good for peace of mind!). However, I don’t know what this will be like with the Renderer in the chain? On the plus side, I prefer this option because it’s much cheaper and more flexible (for my needs).

Thanks for any insight, G

Edit: Not sure it’s important but I’ll need to run PT in Rosetta mode.