next noob question - HDMI>AVR or USB>DAC>AVR?

[Hatfield101]

Still thinking of getting an AVR but one with pre outs for 2.0 to listen to music (will add amps later).

Alot of mu music is 320kbps Mp3s and the rest is FLAC. I plan on ripping the rest of my CDs as FLAC and would like to go from a computer or NAS to the AVR for listening. I am willing to purchase a laptop to serve as the interface with the digital audio and the AVR and was wondering for sonic purposes which would sound better?

1) Laptop to AVR via HDMI

2) Laptop to USB DAC to AVR.

I know - er think this may depend on the equipment purchased. I am thinking about a marantz AVR (sub $800 dollar range - think 1500 1600 or 5000 series) and was thinking about the schitt Modi Dac (Schiit Audio, Headphone amps and DACs made in USA.)

The Lap top will do some double duty as for work but will have minimal software on it, 4GB ram, SSD HD and either a WiFi NAS storage or USB Hard drive attached.

So laptop to marantz AVR via HDMI
OR
Laptop to Modi DAC via USB to Marantz AVR?

i would conisder denon BUT they dont make many affordable AVRs with pre-outs and i may need extra power to drive the towers i own (JBL L7s)

Thanks for any comments or answers fellas!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

hdmi to avr without a doubt - better in every sense

 

[ReUpRo]

I don't see any benefit added by an external DAC in your setup. Use the money for better speakers (perhaps down the line).

If you don't mind refurb, Accessories4Less as great prices and is an authorized seller for all AVRs they advertise. If not, contact AVS Forum for great prices on new AVRs.

 

[TLS Guy]

You don't need a DAC.

 

[Hatfield101]

Holy Crap - ty all for so may quick and unanimous responses. One additional question from ReUpRos post though.

Use the money for better speakers (perhaps down the line).

I am always worried about whether my speakers are good enough to warrant me throwing money elsewhere in the Audio and Home Theater world. In your opinion, what would you compare the L7s to currently and approximately how what price point would i be looking at before the average ear noticed an improvement in sound. I care not for aesthetics only sound - good music makes me close my eyes

 

[Hatfield101]

TLS Guy your studio is simply amazing. I had to wipe drool off of my desk after looking at those pictures. You are a magician when it comes to hiding all those wires!

 

[DannyA]

I wouldn't use an external USB drive not because it won't work but because it is a pain in the arse to keep moving things back and forth from it. Also, some AVRs are going to a have a size limit on the USB drive. My AVR (Yamaha RX-V3800) is several years old and has a 32GB limit and can only be formatted FAT32 and doesn't read FLAC. I'm pretty sure a decent, newer AVR will get beyond that limitation though. I ended up with 3 USB thumb drives. Big pain. You are going to need more capacity for lossless WAV or FLAC then you would for mp3. If you have an extensive music collection, NAS is probably the way to go. I just started researching NAS options so I don't have a recommendation yet. I'm sure we can get some great recommendations on this site. My wish list would actually be a semi compact, nice looking NAS with Wi-Fi and ethernet that has it's own interface on my TV. The interface on my AVR is slow and clunky.

Pioneer PDP-5020FD
Yamaha RX-V3800
Samsung BD-F5700 Blu-ray Player
Sony - PS3
Definitive Technology BP7006 Mains
Definitive Technology CS-8060 HD Center
Definitive Technology Pro Monitor 1000 Surround
Power Sound Audio XS 15 Subwoofer

 

[DannyA]

TLS Guy your studio is simply amazing. I had to wipe drool off of my desk after looking at those pictures. You are a magician when it comes to hiding all those wires!

I hear ya Hatfield101. Beautiful layout. Some of the system and room layouts that the members on this have are truly incredible. I have a long way to go.

Pioneer PDP-5020FD
Yamaha RX-V3800
Samsung BD-F5700 Blu-ray Player
Sony - PS3
Definitive Technology BP7006 Mains
Definitive Technology CS-8060 HD Center
Definitive Technology Pro Monitor 1000 Surround
Power Sound Audio XS 15 Subwoofer

 

[Hatfield101]

Thanks for the response Danny A!
From what I have read, AVR interfaces of musical servers are very cumbersome. Instead I thought of using something like JRiver or Foobar on the laptop to send the files to the avr. Both programs have Andoid Apps so i can sit my lazy but in the chair and easily scroll though my files rather than using the (what seems to be) clunky avr interface to do so.

So the USB Hard drive that i mentioned would be connected to the laptop rather than directly to the AVR.

Good luck to you and your system! I have read so much about jitter and speaker quality that i have become paranoid and paralyzed when it comes to jumping in and starting! The really sad thing is that the more i read the worse it gets!!

Cheers!

 

[DannyA]

Good luck to you and your system! I have read so much about jitter and speaker quality that i have become paranoid and paralyzed when it comes to jumping in and starting! The really sad thing is that the more i read the worse it gets!!

Cheers!

Relax and don't worry. You are in good hands here on this site. Take your time and read some of the posts and reviews. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Be patient and you will reap the rewards! Good luck and let us know how things go!

Pioneer PDP-5020FD
Yamaha RX-V3800
Samsung BD-F5700 Blu-ray Player
Sony - PS3
Definitive Technology BP7006 Mains
Definitive Technology CS-8060 HD Center
Definitive Technology Pro Monitor 1000 Surround
Power Sound Audio XS 15 Subwoofer

 

[ReUpRo]

Re: next noob question - HDMI>AVR or USB>DAC>AVR?

I am always worried about whether my speakers are good enough to warrant me throwing money elsewhere in the Audio and Home Theater world. In your opinion, what would you compare the L7s to currently and approximately how what price point would i be looking at before the average ear noticed an improvement in sound. I care not for aesthetics only sound - good music makes me close my eyes

Based on this review, https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&ei=VfXOUs-5DMrHqgGx9oDYAw&url=http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/attachment.php?attachmentid=49385&d=1295024092&cd=13&ved=0CFkQFjAM&usg=AFQjCNG_YHlPkT9fMXcwR3qpda_weseRUQ

I'm going to say that the L7 are very good speakers and tough to beat unless you get into something like Philharmonic 3 or Ascend Sierra Towers or Salk Song Tower.

 

[Hatfield101]

Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!

I can finally not think about speakers for awhile and make the decision that they are good enough to go ahead and start working on the input side of things.

I cant believe i haven't seen that article as much as I have google-fied the L7s.

You sir have saved beats off my ticker. Many many thanks.