How to get better quality stereo sound with denon 4310 receiver - maybe stereo preamp with bypass?

[quadgirl]

Hello, all. I now have a handle on my new rega p-6 and want to see if there is a simple way (maybe stereo preamp with bypass, though I am just learning of this and will need guidance) to get better quality stereo sound from my albums and stereo sacds. Here is my setup:
Denon 4310 CI receiver
5.1 Axiom speakers
Oppo UDP 203
Jolida JD9 phono stage
Rega Planar 6 (new p-6)
Roku 3
Apple tv
Nakamichi LX-5 cassette deck
Tivo

Can consider different price ranges and want best bang for buck (as does everyone, I guess)

Questions if answer is stereo preamp with bypass - if that is correct terminology
1. How would I hook this up (which connections)?
2. Could I use one without hdmi and get an older, perhaps higher quality one than most current?
3. Would phono stage, cassette deck, oppo, etc. still go into the Denon? How about speaker hookups?
4. What would be most reliable brands?
5. Will it be fairly simple to go between, say, multichannel listening to stereo? Just remote control buttons (or moving buttons/knobs on front panels)? I do not mind manually changing, just want to know how complicated.

I will probably have more questions after hearing your input, but also include any other solutions. I want to consider all options. My ears are 56 years old, so I imagine they may not appreciate but so many steps up in improvement. Sad, but true! Thanks in advance!

 

[lovinthehd]

What's the problem with the audio now?

ps What are the large speakers? Are they not in use? Speaker placement generally does not look good.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I think Stereo Preamp with HT Bypass is pure gimmick. Just use the AVR by itself.

 

[Leemix]

You would need external amps to use a stereo preamp with HT bypass, or use an integrated amp with HT bypass.
Whether you will get anything out of it is difficult to say. It might not be any difference at all, could be worse or you could love it. Better quality(likeability) isnt neccessarily the same as more accuracy. It might just be different, possibly measure worse but be more fun/likeable. It will also cost quite a lot more.
Connection would be AVR to the HT bypass inputs and all 2ch sources to the 2ch pre or integrated. It will not be a benefit to HDMI devices like the appleTV because very few (if any) HT bypass 2ch stuff have HDMI connections.

Could be cheaper and more enlightening to try a bit of EQ if the AVR has that ability too find out what you like and dont like.

Speaker placement, distance from back wall and toe in matters quite a lot so also something that can be worth trying out and its free.


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[quadgirl]

What's the problem with the audio now?

ps What are the large speakers? Are they not in use? Speaker placement generally does not look good.

No problem with current system - just wondering if I could wring out anymore Sound in my 2 channel listening. The large speakers are Klipsch LaScalas That I use in a separate quadraphonic system powered by the Sansui 9001 and many of the components in the rack.

 

[quadgirl]

Th

I think Stereo Preamp with HT Bypass is pure gimmick. Just use the AVR by itself.

Thanks so much AcuDefTechGuy! That is truly what I was trying to get at. That helps.

 

[quadgirl]

You would need external amps to use a stereo preamp with HT bypass, or use an integrated amp with HT bypass.
Whether you will get anything out of it is difficult to say. It might not be any difference at all, could be worse or you could love it. Better quality(likeability) isnt neccessarily the same as more accuracy. It might just be different, possibly measure worse but be more fun/likeable. It will also cost quite a lot more.
Connection would be AVR to the HT bypass inputs and all 2ch sources to the 2ch pre or integrated. It will not be a benefit to HDMI devices like the appleTV because very few (if any) HT bypass 2ch stuff have HDMI connections.

Could be cheaper and more enlightening to try a bit of EQ if the AVR has that ability too find out what you like and dont like.

Speaker placement, distance from back wall and toe in matters quite a lot so also something that can be worth trying out and its free.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thanks Leemix! I have the speakers out 12 inches from the wall and the sound is really wonderful as is. Not ideal to have my LaScalas right next to them, but really does not seem to matter to my ears for some reason. I have a wide soundstage and vocals and instruments are clear and easy to place. And people are always amazed not just how good it sounds, but I can crank vinyl like Imagine Dragons and shake the windows on the across the street neighbors‘ house! Exaggerated a little, of course, but the sound is good to my ears. I don’t really have local places to hear high end equipment, so thought user opinions would help guide me. And being on a teacher‘s salary Means saving money is always a good thing. Thnaks!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Th

Thanks so much AcuDefTechGuy! That is truly what I was trying to get at. That helps.

Many of us have been there and done it - spent a lot of money over the years buying Separates and chasing that last 1% sound quality.

Definitely don't waste your money.

 

[lovinthehd]

No problem with current system - just wondering if I could wring out anymore Sound in my 2 channel listening. The large speakers are Klipsch LaScalas That I use in a separate quadraphonic system powered by the Sansui 9001 and many of the components in the rack.

What two speakers do you use for 2ch listening?

 

[quadgirl]

Many of us have been there and done it - spent a lot of money over the years buying Separates and chasing that last 1% sound quality.

Definitely don't waste your money.

I feel so much better! I even tried separate amps one time and could not hear a difference. Thanks for the perspective! I played a little with speaker placement yesterday and just truly appreciate what I have. Now I can buy more music! And maybe some hard drive space for Tivo.

 

[quadgirl]

What two speakers do you use for 2ch listening?

For two channel, I listen through pure direct mode on the denon through my axiom M80s. The synergy is nice. I use the 5.1 Axiom matching setup for multi-channel sacd’s and tv and movies. I can listen to 2mchannel albums on the sansui and Klipsch, but don‘t know how much life is left in that wonderful At20ss and it’s stylus, so reserve it for quad.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I feel so much better! I even tried separate amps one time and could not hear a difference. Thanks for the perspective! I played a little with speaker placement yesterday and just truly appreciate what I have. Now I can buy more music! And maybe some hard drive space for Tivo.

Yep. Most of the time it is about the setup in your Processor (AVR or AVP), speaker placement, or adding a sub (if you want more bass).

It’s usually not about the analog preamp, amp, DAC, CD player, or wires.

 

[PENG]

No problem with current system - just wondering if I could wring out anymore Sound in my 2 channel listening. The large speakers are Klipsch LaScalas That I use in a separate quadraphonic system powered by the Sansui 9001 and many of the components in the rack.

If you don't have problem with your 4310 now, then I am sure you will like the AVR-X4500H. It won't get you more output but more output that is not use is no use regardless what some people might might have tried to exaggerate..

Your Klipsch speakers can take a lot of power but they are also very sensitive so unless you sit 5 meters of more from them, any Denon 4000 series can do reference level for you and may still have some healthy headroom left on hand. I know better specs don't always result in audible difference but it can be a good feeling to know the newer Denon receivers have better DACs and preamp chips that offer much better specs than the 4310's.

 

[highfigh]

Hello, all. I now have a handle on my new rega p-6 and want to see if there is a simple way (maybe stereo preamp with bypass, though I am just learning of this and will need guidance) to get better quality stereo sound from my albums and stereo sacds. Here is my setup:
Denon 4310 CI receiver
5.1 Axiom speakers
Oppo UDP 203
Jolida JD9 phono stage
Rega Planar 6 (new p-6)
Roku 3
Apple tv
Nakamichi LX-5 cassette deck
Tivo

Can consider different price ranges and want best bang for buck (as does everyone, I guess)

Questions if answer is stereo preamp with bypass - if that is correct terminology
1. How would I hook this up (which connections)?
2. Could I use one without hdmi and get an older, perhaps higher quality one than most current?
3. Would phono stage, cassette deck, oppo, etc. still go into the Denon? How about speaker hookups?
4. What would be most reliable brands?
5. Will it be fairly simple to go between, say, multichannel listening to stereo? Just remote control buttons (or moving buttons/knobs on front panels)? I do not mind manually changing, just want to know how complicated.

I will probably have more questions after hearing your input, but also include any other solutions. I want to consider all options. My ears are 56 years old, so I imagine they may not appreciate but so many steps up in improvement. Sad, but true! Thanks in advance!View attachment 35687

It's not the AVR, it's the room and layout.

 

[Pogre]

I think working on better speaker positioning could do a whole lot more for your sound than a pre amp or separate amp.

 

[quadgirl]

If you don't have problem with your 4310 now, then I am sure you will like the AVR-X4500H. It won't get you more output but more output that is not use is no use regardless what some people might might have tried to exaggerate..

Your Klipsch speakers can take a lot of power but they are also very sensitive so unless you sit 5 meters of more from them, any Denon 4000 series can do reference level for you and may still have some healthy headroom left on hand. I know better specs don't always result in audible difference but it can be a good feeling to know the newer Denon receivers have better DACs and preamp chips that offer much better specs than the 4310's.

Thanks! And I do like Denon very much.

 

[quadgirl]

It's not the AVR, it's the room and layout.

Yes, you are right, but I have a good mix of aesthetics and wide variety of music options that sound fine, so that one will be left alone. It does have reflective and absorptive components, and probably works better than its measurements would dictate.

 

[highfigh]

Yes, you are right, but I have a good mix of aesthetics and wide variety of music options that sound fine, so that one will be left alone. It does have reflective and absorptive components, and probably works better than its measurements would dictate.

It also has things blocking the sound from the speakers on the right side, vs nothing on the left side, which makes a big difference.

 

[Mikado463]

Speaker placement generally does not look good.

to the Op, you asked for 'better quality stereo sound', with regard to the pic you provided lovin is 100% correct, your speaker placement is not good ! Improve it and all things 'stereo' will improve, imaging, soundstage, etc