5.1 audio stem monitoring from K2

I am trying to set up my Kona 2 system to monitor 5.1 stems that are not ac3 encoded out of FCP. We produce 90 second shorts that screen digitally in our IMAX theater using a DPI projector. Our sound mixer produces the mix in 5.1. When he delivers the mix to us, he delivers as 6 individual, unencoded .aiff stems. I then lay those into FCP.

I've already got a set of makie 824 studio monitors and a large subwoofer that was rescued from a previously demolished audiotorium. Using this system, I would love to monitor those stems in 5.1 out of fcp to see generally how they sound before the show goes out for encoding.

So, how do I get from the 3 aes xlrs out of the K2 (1+2, 3+4, 5+6) to 6 channel analog into my monitors, while also providing volume control? Esentially, what I am really looking for is a minimum 6 channel D/A with volume control that won't break the bank. Ideas?

Another alternative I thought about is using my IO's 8 channel analog out. The sync might be a little bit out if I am watching video through k2 and audio through io, but will it work? And can I control analog audio out volume of IO through either IO control panel or mac os volume control?

Any ideas much appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeff




Production Coordinator
New England Aquarium
Boston, MA