How to best integrate new amp into setup

[ljbrandt]

Budget audio enthusiast here looking for some advice. I hope this is the right forum.

My current setup: PC-USB--->Stoner UD120 dac--->Indeed TA2020 T-amp--->MB Quart Vera speakers

Everything sounds very nice in this setup at reasonable levels, but I found myself longing for more power to improve dynamics and quality at more "spirited" listening levels. I tried a few smaller sized class A/B amps, such as the parasound Zamp, but I just wasn't happy with the sound compared with the Indeed T-amp; plus, I concluded, that I would probably need more than 45w/ch to be happy with my Vera bookshelves.

I also have a Martin Logan sub I'd like to integrate into the system

I found a pretty good deal on a used Yamaha RX-Z9 receiver in good condition and decided to pull the trigger. This is a HUGE departure in amplification, coming from my T-amp, but I read some great things about the Z9.

Here's my question - how do I (best) integrate this beast into my PC setup?

Do I use the Stoner UD120 dac to feed a signal the analog inputs of the Z9 and use the receiver in an amp only configuration (pure direct mode Yamaha calls it)? I don't think I could use bass management this way on the Z9 if I wanted to add the sub.

or

Does the Z9 actually have a better DAC section than the UD120? Should I instead send a toslink signal directly to the receiver from the PC? If I did this, I'm wondering if I'd be limiting myself to a 24/96 digital streamfrom the PC's soundcard, even though the Z9's BB1792's can decode 24/192. However, I'm positive I could use bass management this way and integrate my sub.

Lastly, there is a "i.Link" port on the back of the Yamaha which is essentially a firewire input. It is supposed to be used with i.Link compatible devices, such as blu-ray and SACD players...but I'm curious, even without a driver, if it would recognize a connection from a PC (and vice versa). If possible, this would seem like the best solution..but I'm curious to hear the experts' thoughts!

Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

The Z9’s bass management will work with analog or digital inputs.

Can’t speak for the Stoner, but Yamaha’s A/D converters have always been top notch, especially with their upper-tier models. In fact they were a pioneer in digital audio and introduced the first digital pro-audio equalizer back in 1987 that was lauded for its pristine sonics – and with 16-bit converters no less. My feelings may be baseless, but I have more confidence in the quality of the converters in a $4000 flagship receiver from Yamaha vs. a $50 device.

Hard to say about iLink, the manual indicates that the Z9 will only work with “registered” components. You’ll just have to try it and see.

By the way, the Z9 is a hot-running unit, so make sure it has plenty of ventilation.

Regards,

Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

In addition to what Wayne said - I honestly don't think you can hear the difference from lossless 44/16 to 24/96. The additional bits are only used for higher dynamic range, but most music recordings don't even use fully what 16bit offers so it's really depends.
And for 24/192 - I guarantee you it wont be any difference from 24/96.
I also recomend to Simplify your connectivity. PC->toslink-> yamaha avr-> speaker/sub

 

[ljbrandt]

Thanks for the advice guys. Sounds like the DAC section in the Z9 may rival the Stoner DAC. I'm wondering if I could improve things by adding something like this between the PC and receiver though...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Commpleted-192K-24BIT-XMOS-USB-to-Fiber-Coaxial-Output-I2S-Asynchronous-wlx-/161276847643?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item258cd9661b

 

[ljbrandt]

The Z9’s bass management will work with analog or digital inputs.

Can’t speak for the Stoner, but Yamaha’s A/D converters have always been top notch, especially with their upper-tier models. In fact they were a pioneer in digital audio and introduced the first digital pro-audio equalizer back in 1987 that was lauded for its pristine sonics – and with 16-bit converters no less. My feelings may be baseless, but I have more confidence in the quality of the converters in a $4000 flagship receiver from Yamaha vs. a $50 device.

Hard to say about iLink, the manual indicates that the Z9 will only work with “registered” components. You’ll just have to try it and see.

By the way, the Z9 is a hot-running unit, so make sure it has plenty of ventilation.

Regards,

Wayne A. Pflughaupt

Any chance you would know if bass management is disabled in "pure direct" mode? I would assume so, but some forum digging found that some say yes and others say no.