Connecting equipment to a power amp question

[moves]

Currently, I have a mcintosh power amp connected to a Pioneer AVR through the pre outs.

Since the unbalanced outputs on the Mcintosh are being used for the AVR, can I connect the AZUR 851N to the balanced outputs on the mcintosh and have it still work and just keep the pioneer powered off? Two components would be lugged into the Mcintosh this way... I am not sure if that is wise.

Or do I have to physically disconnect the PIO from the Mcintosh and then connect the 851N to the Mcintosh amp every time I want to use the AZUR 851N?

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

Just connect the Azur to your Pioneer with analog or digital connections like you would any other component. There’s no audible advantage to connecting via balanced directly to the Mac.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[TLS Guy]

Currently, I have a mcintosh power amp connected to a Pioneer AVR through the pre outs.

Since the unbalanced outputs on the Mcintosh are being used for the AVR, can I connect the AZUR 851N to the balanced outputs on the mcintosh and have it still work and just keep the pioneer powered off? Two components would be lugged into the Mcintosh this way... I am not sure if that is wise.

Or do I have to physically disconnect the PIO from the Mcintosh and then connect the 851N to the Mcintosh amp every time I want to use the AZUR 851N?

That is hard to say, as it depends how the balanced and unbalanced stages are connected. If the balanced and unbalanced circuits are separate and mixed at the second stage, then the inputs will be buffered.

If in the other hand the balanced and unbalanced use the same circuit, then I think you will have problems as the balanced line will no longer be fully balanced as it will be partially loaded by the output of the PIO I suspect. Unfortunately there are a number of ways MAC could have these inputs configured.

I doubt there is a circuit available for view and so the best bet is to give MAC a call.

 

[moves]

Just connect the Azur to your Pioneer with analog or digital connections like you would any other component. There’s no audible advantage to connecting via balanced directly to the Mac.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

The Azur is also a preamp... I would have to bypass the preamp in the PIO in order to do this wouldn't I?

Is it not possible to connect it the way I described above?

 

[moves]

That is hard to say, as it depends how the balanced and unbalanced stages are connected. If the balanced and unbalanced circuits are separate and mixed at the second stage, then the inputs will be buffered.

If in the other hand the balanced and unbalanced use the same circuit, then I think you will have problems as the balanced line will no longer be fully balanced as it will be partially loaded by the output of the PIO I suspect. Unfortunately there are a number of ways MAC could have these inputs configured.

I doubt there is a circuit available for view and so the best bet is to give MAC a call.

I talked to MC and they told me not to connect the RCA and the XLR at the same time. I guess there is no way to use the 851N DAC then..... I would have to plug it into the PIONEER AVR and then shut off the pre amp on the 851N....

 

[moves]

I am reading more about the AZUR and it says that the "digital outputs are pass through and are not upsampled or processed" What would these digital outputs be used for?

To connect the AZUR to the PIONEER, would I use these digital outputs or the RCA connections to the back of the PIO?

 

[TLS Guy]

I am reading more about the AZUR and it says that the "digital outputs are pass through and are not upsampled or processed" What would these digital outputs be used for?

To connect the AZUR to the PIONEER, would I use these digital outputs or the RCA connections to the back of the PIO?

Use the Digital outputs to the Pio. I thought that would be the answer from MAC, as that is the cheapest and simplest arrangement.

 

[moves]

Use the Digital outputs to the Pio. I thought that would be the answer from MAC, as that is the cheapest and simplest arrangement.

But Cambridge says that the digital outputs goes through pass through and does not do the up sampling.... so if I did this, all the AZUR would do is be a glorified music streamer that has 20k radio stations. Maybe the CXN would be a better option for me as I wouldn't be using the DAC from the cambridge... or would I? I think the signal would use the DAC in the PIO and not the cambridge?

 

[TLS Guy]

But Cambridge says that the digital outputs goes through pass through and does not do the up sampling.... so if I did this, all the AZUR would do is be a glorified music streamer that has 20k radio stations. Maybe the CXN would be a better option for me as I wouldn't be using the DAC from the cambridge... or would I? I think the signal would use the DAC in the PIO and not the cambridge?

If it is like an other device I have used, the AZUR will send PCM to the AVR, which is fine, and then the PIO will do what ever it has to do. If you use analog to the PIO, it will do a digital conversion and back to analog anyway, unless you are using pure direct and forgo bass management. Even then I think there is a conversion for the volume control.

For what you are doing all you need and the best bet is a streamer. These fancy devices like you bought really add nothing if you are using a receiver or pre/pro.

Even if you have a high end analog set up, I doubt you will hear the difference. I can't. The thing that really matters is the original stream form the broadcaster. They are all over the map, and usually awful with a splendid few excellent.

I can get the BBC stream from England. I watched and listened to Mahler No.3 last night from this years Proms.

Quite honestly I think it was by far the finest audio I have ever heard. The BBC have the best of the best in terms of engineering. The off stage Flugel horn solos in the third movement reverberating round the Royal Albert hall were just unbelievable.

The conductor was Bernard Haitink, who is nearly 90! He turned in a the best performance of Mahler's great celebration of nature. The whole think just beyond belief and just like being on the hall. So streaming can be superb, but from a lot of sources it isn't.

That stream on Download is 640 kbs, AAC plus MPEG DASH. Wonderful!

 

[moves]

I was just on touch with Cambridge and they suggested that I hook up the 851N to the Pioneer VIA RCA.... They told me the DAC and up sampling will still happen with the 851N and not the Pioneer.

 

[TLS Guy]

I was just on touch with Cambridge and they suggested that I hook up the 851N to the Pioneer VIA RCA.... They told me the DAC and up sampling will still happen with the 851N and not the Pioneer.

They would tell you that wouldn't they?

Up sampling is a waste of time and totally bogus. You absolutely can not improve a stream after it is released. The best quality ALWAYS comes playing that stream with the least handling, and especially conversions.

Their advice to you is plain wrong. However if they give you the correct advice they won't sell many units.

This high end up sampling stream nonsense was started by Linn.

They had their day of reckoning at the hands of the BBC not long ago. Despite costing thousands those players could not be updated. When the BBC went AAC + and MPEG 4 DASH, those players could not longer play any BBC programs. You should have heard the howls from Ivor T of Linn and their customers. The BBC held firm and basically told them to take their 2000 GB players to the recycling center!

Unfortunately you have been sold the "Proverbial Bridge in Brooklyn".

 

[moves]

They would tell you that wouldn't they?

Up sampling is a waste of time and totally bogus. You absolutely can not improve a stream after it is released. The best quality ALWAYS comes playing that stream with the least handling, and especially conversions.

Their advice to you is plain wrong. However if they give you the correct advice they won't sell many units.

This high end up sampling stream nonsense was started by Linn.

They had their day of reckoning at the hands of the BBC not long ago. Despite costing thousands those players could not be updated. When the BBC went AAC + and MPEG 4 DASH, those players could not longer play any BBC programs. You should have heard the howls from Ivor T of Linn and their customers. The BBC held firm and basically told them to take their 2000 GB players to the recycling center!

Unfortunately you have been sold the "Proverbial Bridge in Brooklyn".

Hm! Interesting! What do you recommend for free streaming? This unit comes with 20k radio stations.

 

[TLS Guy]

Hm! Interesting! What do you recommend for free streaming? This unit comes with 20k radio stations.

Well you already have this unit, so it will stream as well but no better then anything else in terms of SQ.

If you want to sell it, there are lots of ways to stream. In my studio I use my DAW and my HTPC. Elsewhere I Chrome cast.

I could probably fill up this forum with options now.

The real issue is I do not know how future proof the unit is. If it can not be upgraded to the newer and better codecs, I would sell it before it becomes a boat anchor, like these type of units have in the UK.

 

[moves]

Well you already have this unit, so it will stream as well but no better then anything else in terms of SQ.

If you want to sell it, there are lots of ways to stream. In my studio I use my DAW and my HTPC. Elsewhere I Chrome cast.

I could probably fill up this forum with options now.

The real issue is I do not know how future proof the unit is. If it can not be upgraded to the newer and better codecs, I would sell it before it becomes a boat anchor, like these type of units have in the UK.

no no I don't have it yet. I am looking at options.

 

[TLS Guy]

no no I don't have it yet. I am looking at options.

Good thing you don't have it.

I think your choice of what you need is dictated by what you want to listen to and how.

I really doubt you will listen to 20 K radio stations!

Since this is an AV system do you just want to stream audio or video as well.

VLC media player has a lot of built in stations and it is easy to add them.

If you are doing a lot of streaming in your listening room then you should at least consider a dedicated computer.

I have a digital audio workstation connected to an RME Fireface DAC. This also allows me to record in WaveLab.

For AV I have an HTPC and I can catch anything.

The thing to remember is that you can stream from your phone, tablet or laptop with Chrome Cast. This is effective and cheap.

 

[moves]

Honestly, I like to list anything that sounds good through my speakers. Classical to (some) country, to hip hop to classic rock to modern rock to top 40 to jazz to blues hahahaha

How? I guess through my computer?

Initially I was thinking only audio but video would be cool as well. I looked at chrome cast and is this something that has access to a bunch of free video content at good quality? Or do you have to buy additional subscriptions to whatever you want to watch? Same with audio.... you pay the 45 bucks and you have access to endless audio?

The reason why I like the cambridge is because of the ease of access..... I don't know anything about HTPC or anything else you mentioned but I'll look it up. I am sure I'll have questions lol

 

[moves]

Okay so what is the benefit of having an HTPC? This isn't the same thing as Hyper Text Protocol is it?

 

[lovinthehd]

Home Theater Personal Computer, digital management of audio/video needs.

 

[moves]

Do you have to build your own or can you just buy one? What do they do?

 

[lovinthehd]

Do you have to build your own or can you just buy one? What do they do?

You can build one or buy one but no one really needs one either, just some find it more useful in their setup. I don't have one, flirted with the idea but not worth it for me.