2.1 audio

[xreaperx22]

i have a question,im going to be setting up a 2.0 or 2.1 system in my basement and wondering do i even need an avr? i mean couldnt i just get a good preamp and then a great amp and run it that way? only thing that will be hooked up to it is a media pc for music only with lots of flac files.
Also i plan on really splurging on this setup so sky is the limit,i plan on getting some really high end stuff just to see if its better than my other sytems in the house.

 

[lovinthehd]

The advantage the avr may has over 2ch gear generally for 2.1 is the inclusion of bass management for the sub, much 2ch gear doesn't come with any. OTOH some subs can accommodate the lack of bass management in the preamp/amp with it's own. You could also insert something like a minidsp with 2ch gear that allows for a processing/tape loop. Depends which way you want to go as well as your budget....avrs often are very competitive to 2ch basic integrated amps/receivers let alone separates. If you go 2.0 then it's a moot point, you have just the 2 speakers to worry about....

 

[TheWarrior]

Many subs offer a lot of programming capability that can supersede bass management. I used an Emotiva XDA-1 when I first started piecing my system back together for a 2.2 system using dual SVS PC12+. I was perfectly content and it wasn't for another 12-18 month before I even worried about surround sound - even though I already had 5 speakers!

 

[slipperybidness]

If your sources are digital, then you will also need a DAC somewhere in the chain. Either built into the source so you have analog output, a separate DAC, or a DAC internal to an AVR or integrated amp.

 

[KEW]

I have to say I would be inclined to go with us AVR used as a preprocessor are a modern preprocessor if you're going to use a sub.
To me, since you say sky's the limit, I assume you are looking to get the sound as good as possible, and that inferrs using miniDSP or some system like Dirac or Audyssey xt32 to be able to tune the subs optimally for your room. Of course, using any of these systems (which require conversion to digital and back) is going to put a delay in your subwoofer relative to your mains.
Consequently you need a pre pro that can adjust the timing of the signals to put them all in sync and that is a feature that almost any AVR has and traditional stereo gear does not.
It may be that this delay is not long enough to make a difference, but unless you're really sacrificing something I would be inclined to go ahead and make sure things are in sync!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

If budget is a non-issue, then you may need a sub at all. a pair of true full range speakers is what OP needs.
If this is music only system and budget is not a problem then a sub is not needed.
I would recommend an integrated amp for this. Some include DAC. Maybe Yamaha and Philharmonic audio, Salk or RBH speakers.
More specifically, I've yet to hear speakers which I loved more than Salk's SoundScape 8 at any price point

 

[KEW]

Also might consider a pair of JBL M2's

 

[xreaperx22]

yeah i was thinking of a true full range speaker setup and just cut out the sub,i was thinking those philharmonic 3's that are pretty huge but look great tho,i am not familiar with salk speakers ill have to look them up.so i will need a dac since the output from the pc is digital? hmm maybe an avr would make this a little easier i mean i dont want 5 devices just to power a pair of speakers lol

 

[lovinthehd]

Somewhat depends what you call a full range speaker, and at what spl you want to play and whether you value the ability to place subs separately I suppose. I call full range at least 20hz-20khz, the general range of human hearing, but others might be happy with 30 or 40 hz f3s. I like them to dig a little deeper so generally prefer to use subs to make that easier/more economical and large boxes (I diy my subs) are fine with me. The Phil 3 does look pretty sweet....it is essentially a sub/box with a mid/tweeter top and very well priced (as in bargain) as are all the Philharmonic products. Dennis Murphy is the guy behind Philharmonic and he also works with Jim Salk for crossovers/speaker designs. I don't think you can go wrong with either of those guys' products.

 

[everettT]

I'm waiting on these
http://www.salksound.com/model.php?model=Song3+Encore
Should be able to do 20hz in room. The thing with Salk or custom Philharmonics, you need to count on a couple of months lead time. Its worth wait for the furniture grade finish.

 

[snakeeyes]

I like having at least one sub. Then you can place the sub in the best spot of the room.

 

[xreaperx22]

those salks look amazing! but that price is def premium,but doable i have an initial budget of 10k so i could def see these working,plus i like the traditional look of them over the strange box on the phil 3's,now i was looking over my media pc's sound specs and learned it has ess sabre dac onboard,along with wima caps and gold plated jacks, a dnr of 121db,seems pretty good,ive not heard of ess sabre but i have heard of others.also something called a txc oscillator lol whatever that is.

 

[lovinthehd]

those salks look amazing! but that price is def premium,but doable i have an initial budget of 10k so i could def see these working,plus i like the traditional look of them over the strange box on the phil 3's,now i was looking over my media pc's sound specs and learned it has ess sabre dac onboard,along with wima caps and gold plated jacks, a dnr of 121db,seems pretty good,ive not heard of ess sabre but i have heard of others.also something called a txc oscillator lol whatever that is.

ESS Sabre chips are well respected DAC chips. Used in hifi gear, Oppo for example.

 

[xreaperx22]

cool strange it would be on my pc motherboard lol

 

[lovinthehd]

Technology marches on....

 

[KEW]

cool strange it would be on my pc motherboard lol

Use your existing system to evaluate noise levels.
It is not unusual for there to be noise from interference inside a computer case no matter how good the DAC specs are. If yours happens to be well shielded/quiet inside, bully for you, but many PC manufacturers don't get too worried about noise inside the box and figure the box keeps it from messing with anything outside the box. Aside from audio, I think all other signals are digital (less susceptible to noise) inside the box, so many builders don't make an effort to address interference.

 

[sterling shoote]

OP,
I'd go with multi-channel separates today even if my only interest was stereo. It just makes it so easy to integrate a passive sub. Plus, you will usually have digital inputs galore. In other words, you'll never hear your equipment say, " I can't do that". I also like Kurt's idea about the JBL M2's. The home version, without external amplification, is the JBL 4367 at about $15,000 a pair. Please invite me over, we'll party.

 

[xreaperx22]

lol 15k a pair is outside my 10k limit but i bet at that price they should sound pretty remarkable,and the audio part of the pc is all shielded,it has seperate "lanes" for left and right signals and uses Independent Analog Power for low noise.and all the components are shielded,i have to say im impressed by this board.before i read up on this board i was going to buy an audiophile sound card from ht omega or something like that but it seems i wont need it after all.

 

[sterling shoote]

lol 15k a pair is outside my 10k limit but i bet at that price they should sound pretty remarkable,and the audio part of the pc is all shielded,it has seperate "lanes" for left and right signals and uses Independent Analog Power for low noise.and all the components are shielded,i have to say im impressed by this board.before i read up on this board i was going to buy an audiophile sound card from ht omega or something like that but it seems i wont need it after all.

I have three means to listen to music in iTunes Library from laptop to home theatre mains: Airport Express at 16/44.1, Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi HD at 24/96, and usb DAC at 24/192 via OPPO UDP-205. Running analog out from computer to pre/pro did not work out, sound quality was just not there. Interestingly enough, my perception is that my usb DAC is getting me the best sound from my iTunes Library, which contains all sorts of files, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, and wav. Recent playback of DOO WOP genre music purchases in AAC from the iTunes Store, using usb DAC connection, reveal more detail than playback from either Airplay, or X-Fi HD. Thing is, this detail does not make the music more enjoyable, it just reveals poor mastering of the material.

 

[xreaperx22]

yeah i wont be using the analog out anyways ill either use the coax digital out or the optical out.