Essence Evolve II-4K HDMI DAC

Description Why Your 1080p AVR May Still Be Worth Keeping Many 1080p-era AVRs were built with strong amplifier sections, cleaner analog circuitry, and specs serious listeners still respect — often .05% THD and -100 dB SNR. Newer AVRs may offer more HDMI features, room correction, streaming, and surround formats, but that doesn’t always mean better sound. In some cases, published THD and noise specs have moved in the wrong direction. That’s why many audiophiles keep their older AVRs. The amplifier isn’t obsolete. The HDMI section simply predates today’s 4K sources. The Evolve II-4K bridges that gap by sending uncompressed LPCM multichannel audio from modern 4K HDMI sources to your AVR’s 5.1/7.1 analog inputs. Features got newer. Sound quality did not automatically get better. The Problem: Old vs. New From the mid-90s onward, surround sound grew rapidly: • Pro Logic turned two channels into five, but it was compressed and artificial.• By the late ’90s, AVRs added optical and coaxial inputs for Dolby AC-3 and DTS — a big leap forward, but still not high-resolution.• From 1995 to 2007, many AVRs and Pre/Pros included 5.1 analog inputs so after-market processors could add features the receiver itself lacked.• From 2008 to 2016, HDMI arrived — but limited to 1080p video, not 4K / 18 Gbps. That left today’s music and movie lovers with a dilemma: keep their beloved gear and sacrifice audio / video quality — or replace it entirely. The Solution: Evolve II-4K The Essence Evolve II-4K is the modern-day “black box” for the 4K era: • Extracts pristine 5.1 / 7.1-channel Hi-Res soundtracks — Uncompressed LPCM, Lossless Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, and DSD64 on SACD.• Converts to fixed high-line-level analog — ready for the 5.1 / 7.1 analog input section on your AVR, Pre / Pro, or integrated amp.• Passes through uncompromised 4K HDR video — HDR10 , Dolby Vision, full 18 Gbps bandwidth.• Integrates seamlessly with legacy gear — whether you own a mid-90s AVR with 5.1 analog inputs or a 2010-era HDMI AVR limited to 1080p. The result: your vintage system sounds and looks like it was built for today. What to Expect from Surround Sound Following its debut in commercial theaters, 7.1-channel surround first arrived in home systems with Toy Story 3 on Blu-ray in 2010. Since then, the catalog of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio discs in discrete 7.1 has steadily grown — mostly blockbuster action titles. Still, the vast majority of releases from smaller studios and independents, especially live concerts on Blu-ray, remain in 5.1-channel surround due to bandwidth restrictions imposed by streaming services. The split is roughly 80 / 20. For streaming platforms, every soundtrack is still limited to the industry’s original standard: 5.1 surround. That means Blu-ray remains the only way to experience true 7.1 at home. The surround channels aren’t just about explosions or helicopters flying overhead — they provide subtle spatial cues that make the on-screen environment feel real. Whether it’s the echoes of a church, the dripping of a rainforest, or the terrifying crack of lightning followed by thunder — the loudest natural sound we instinctively know — surround mixes pull you deeper into the story. With the Evolve II-4K, your legacy AVR can fully deliver both 5.1 and 7.1 immersive soundtracks, letting you experience the artistry of movie and concert sound design as it was intended. What Listeners & Reviewers Say “Having lived with the Evolve II-4K for a couple of months now, I can safely say it delivered some of the best sound I have experienced in my listening room. The sound was refined, dynamic, and balanced. For anyone with a legacy AVR, the Evolve II-4K is a no-brainer.”— Jeff Dunnam, Audiophile Consumer “I was stunned that the Evolve II-4K … sounded so good. How good? I liked it better than sending the audio via HDMI through the Marantz and its DACs. It seemed just noticeably cleaner and more open.”— Kalman Rubinson, Stereophile Magazine “Wow … I am impressed! This is an amazing DAC with an uncanny ability to present individual instruments and voices within a magnificent soundstage. It’s exceptionally clear, natural-sounding and utterly convincing.”— Bill Vandermarel, former CEO of Paradigm / Anthem �� See all 5-star experiences in the full User Testimonials PDF.   Technical Specifications Inputs: • 1 × HDMI v2.0b with v2.2 HDCP (uncompressed AV data) • 1 × USB Mini-B (Service / EDID programming) Outputs: • 1 × HDMI v2.0b (uncompressed AV passthrough) • 8 × RCA analog (fixed high-line level, 5.1 / 7.1channels) • 1 × Toslink optical (stereo PCM / Dolby Digital / DTS — not Hi-Res) Audio Support: • Uncompressed LPCM up to 24-bit / 192kHz • Dolby TrueHD • DTS-HD Master Audio • DSD (via HDMI on SACD) • THD N = 0.0001% • 115 dB S/N ratio Video Support: • Up to 4K2K 3840×2160 @ 24/25/30Hz, 3840×2160 @ 50/60Hz (YUV444) • 4096×2160 @ 24/25/30/50/60Hz • HDR10 / HDR10 / Dolby Vision passthrough Power Supply: 5V / 2.6A external PSU Dimensions: 8.4″ (213mm) W × 4.6″ (116mm) D × 1.2″ (30mm) H Weight: 1.5 lbs (658g) Warranty: 1 Year The Bottom Line The Essence Evolve II-4K carries forward a tradition that began with Dolby AC-3 and DTS decoders in the 90s — only now with true Hi-Res multi-channel audio and 4K HDR video. For just $349, it revives your favorite AVR, PrePro, or integrated amp, unlocking today’s lossless surround soundtracks and video standards without forcing you to give up the gear you love. Don’t replace your system. Evolve it. �� Order today — Free Shipping in the USA (Hawaii & Alaska excluded). EDID Commander Software / Virtual Com Port Driver We offer a software program called EDID Commander that allows for a higher degree of customization of video and audio features than the default settings pre-loaded into the Evolve II-4K.  You’ll need a Win 10 computer and a USB cable to use it and first you have to install the Virtual Com Port Driver.  Follow the instructions on page 6 of the owner’s manual for installation and you’ll be able to optimize the Evolve II-4K for your TV and audio system. The Evolve II-4K firmware is up to date with v2.16 for use with 4K TVs, sources, and projectors. Big Rooms Need Big Power The Evolve II-4K extracts pristine audio from today’s 4K UHD sources. Pair it with ATI’s AT1827 (MSRP $3795.00) for 7 channels of balanced, 200 Watts FTC Power Rule Rated per channel.  Note: 7.1 Channel soundtracks are only available on Blu-ray Disc, AV streaming delivers 5.1 channels due to bandwidth limitations.  Click the picture to learn more.