Is there an electronic that does this?

P

patmat00

Audiophyte
Hi,
I'm trying to find a product that does the following:
  1. Stereo amplifier with subwoofer output
  2. Can stream Amazon HD/Ultra HD
  3. Has Bluetooth
  4. Can stream via ethernet from my NAS without a lot of gymnastics
  5. Can connect my old Oppo DVD/SACD/DVD-A player and play high resolution audio
  6. Doesn't break the bank (about $500)
  7. Alexa connectivity would be nice
Does anyone know if such thing exists? I've looked in Amazon, Crutchfield, Audio Advisor, and other websites without any luck, and I figured I'd ask here for a definite answer. Thanks for your help.
 
BMXTRIX

BMXTRIX

Audioholic Warlord
Don't be silly.

Not that what you are asking for is really ridiculous, but it is a misconception you have that such a product wouldn't be a complete disaster.

Major manufacturers: Denon/Marantz/Yamaha can do some of this. Sure. But, they fail. Rather hard. In other areas.

This is the point. A single manufacturer shouldn't be relied upon to do everything for YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS!!!!

Have no doubt. What you are asking for is SUPER specific. This is WHAT I WANT!!!! WHY CAN'T ANYONE GIVE IT TO ME?

The answer is: Because they are all somewhat complex things. You want multiple things, that are constantly changing, have significant costs associated with them, and each and every thing you want is individually addressed with different products which are purpose built to your needs.

Any surround receiver does great with stereo, so start with that. Many have Bluetooth. Some can stream, but their streaming is limited as that feature has a significant R&D cost and will be out of date in a few years. So, plan to buy a purpose device for streaming. That purpose device, like a Bluesound Node, will do a good job with streaming services as well as local audio playback. That's what it is for. The receiver can handle the audio amplification, along with some other functionality just fine.

Yes, you can get much of the way there with Denon/Marantz/Yamaha, but you really need to keep in mind that they are building for the masses, and need to do so realistically. A really good streaming device is still something everyone should own.
 
BoredSysAdmin

BoredSysAdmin

Audioholic Slumlord
Are there electronics DEVICES that do that? yes, not but not a single one.
Amazon Fire TV Cube will do points: 2,3,4 (with Jellyfin or plex), 6, and 7
for rest 1 and 5 you'd need another device like reciever.

Alternatively, you could just go with device like this one and get most of it:
But streaming and Alexa control options may be more limited than Fire Cube.
 
j_garcia

j_garcia

Audioholic Jedi
Sounds like a unicorn to me. You might be able to get most of it in a stereo unit, but not all of it, and less than with a full blown AVR. I agree completely with BMX, you are looking at a minimum of two devices and rightfully so. A device that tends to handle audio generally will not be good at streaming because it isn't the same market segment. Get a stereo receiver or multichannel AVR for the first part and a streaming device that has the rest and you're all set.
 
John Parks

John Parks

Audioholic Samurai
Here is one that does everything you asked except come in at your price point ($949 in lieu of $500)

I do not know of a cheaper all-in-one that ticks all of the boxes you drew for yourself.
 
T

Trebdp83

Audioholic Spartan
The Bluesound came to mind but has no HDMI input, just an output that supports eARC. So, no direct connection of a player using HDMI for hi-res multi channel audio.
 
P

patmat00

Audiophyte
No need to insult. This is a beginner and neophyte forum after all.
I know that what I'm asking for is a unicorn. I just wanted to know if such a thing exists or if I'm going to have to spend quite a bit more money. I asked the question in an Audioholics forum because it's people like you that have vast knowledge in this topic, and from whom I have gotten the best answers in the past.

On a tangent, if what I dream of doesn't exist, is the Bluesound product mentioned above something you'd recommend? I assume asking for a streaming device that can decode Amazon HD is not unreasonable.
Thanks in advance BMXTRIX and the other folks that pitched in!

Don't be silly.

Not that what you are asking for is really ridiculous, but it is a misconception you have that such a product wouldn't be a complete disaster.

Major manufacturers: Denon/Marantz/Yamaha can do some of this. Sure. But, they fail. Rather hard. In other areas.

This is the point. A single manufacturer shouldn't be relied upon to do everything for YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS!!!!

Have no doubt. What you are asking for is SUPER specific. This is WHAT I WANT!!!! WHY CAN'T ANYONE GIVE IT TO ME?

The answer is: Because they are all somewhat complex things. You want multiple things, that are constantly changing, have significant costs associated with them, and each and every thing you want is individually addressed with different products which are purpose built to your needs.

Any surround receiver does great with stereo, so start with that. Many have Bluetooth. Some can stream, but their streaming is limited as that feature has a significant R&D cost and will be out of date in a few years. So, plan to buy a purpose device for streaming. That purpose device, like a Bluesound Node, will do a good job with streaming services as well as local audio playback. That's what it is for. The receiver can handle the audio amplification, along with some other functionality just fine.

Yes, you can get much of the way there with Denon/Marantz/Yamaha, but you really need to keep in mind that they are building for the masses, and need to do so realistically. A really good streaming device is still something everyone should own.
 
TLS Guy

TLS Guy

Seriously, I have no life.
Hi,
I'm trying to find a product that does the following:
  1. Stereo amplifier with subwoofer output
  2. Can stream Amazon HD/Ultra HD
  3. Has Bluetooth
  4. Can stream via ethernet from my NAS without a lot of gymnastics
  5. Can connect my old Oppo DVD/SACD/DVD-A player and play high resolution audio
  6. Doesn't break the bank (about $500)
  7. Alexa connectivity would be nice
Does anyone know if such thing exists? I've looked in Amazon, Crutchfield, Audio Advisor, and other websites without any luck, and I figured I'd ask here for a definite answer. Thanks for your help.
No, there is no such device. Stereo only is no longer well catered for. So you need an AVR, or AVR or AVP with external amps. It will cost you more than $500 though.
 
John Parks

John Parks

Audioholic Samurai
No need to insult. This is a beginner and neophyte forum after all.
I know that what I'm asking for is a unicorn. I just wanted to know if such a thing exists or if I'm going to have to spend quite a bit more money. I asked the question in an Audioholics forum because it's people like you that have vast knowledge in this topic, and from whom I have gotten the best answers in the past.

On a tangent, if what I dream of doesn't exist, is the Bluesound product mentioned above something you'd recommend? I assume asking for a streaming device that can decode Amazon HD is not unreasonable.
Thanks in advance BMXTRIX and the other folks that pitched in!
Well, I have the Bluesound Node 2i (last generation) love it and could not recommend it more.

Here are some of the music services the Powernode supports (yes, Amazon HD is in there) https://support.bluos.net/hc/en-us/articles/360000199908-What-Music-Services-does-BluOS-Support-

Here is an informative and entertaining review:
 
BMXTRIX

BMXTRIX

Audioholic Warlord
No need to insult. This is a beginner and neophyte forum after all.
Not meant as an insult at all. Really. It's just the unicorn requests are common in almost all industries.
I want a car that can get 100mpg, goes 0-60 in 3 seconds, and costs under $20K! (yes we all do)
As I said, it is a nice list, but doesn't make financial sense for product manufacturers.

I know that what I'm asking for is a unicorn. I just wanted to know if such a thing exists or if I'm going to have to spend quite a bit more money. I asked the question in an Audioholics forum because it's people like you that have vast knowledge in this topic, and from whom I have gotten the best answers in the past.
We won't chase you out for questions, and since it is a unicorn, it not only doesn't exist, if it did exist, it would be really expensive. Mostly because maintaining the software on such a product is a huge endeavor.

On a tangent, if what I dream of doesn't exist, is the Bluesound product mentioned above something you'd recommend? I assume asking for a streaming device that can decode Amazon HD is not unreasonable.
Thanks in advance BMXTRIX and the other folks that pitched in!
Bluesound is a well respected manufacturer of good products. It may come closest at almost $1,000. It really has limited power output overall, but other than 5&6 on your list, it does a whole lot.

In my mind, for more flexibility, I would go with a proper AV receiver from Yamaha/Denon/Marantz, which will give you a good deal of what you are after, and if you want quality audio streaming, then I would add a Bluesound Node at a later date if necessary.

Realistically, you want to have really good speakers and a subwoofer at the heart of your system first, and that may be a great deal of any budget.

There are, literally, thousands of options here to achieve your goals, but the hardest part of it all is your budget, which just doesn't work. Mostly, as I stated, because the software required to make a really nice and usable system costs a fair bit to maintain for years and years. When people say they want it to be simple, it actually means that someone else has a very complex job to ensure it is maintained for years and years and years. Keep in mind, unlike your Oppo, which will play round discs forever, any streaming device will be obsolete at some point. Even if the amplifier is still perfectly good, the rest of it will be 'old tech' and useless. So, you buy a product like a Bluesound Node, knowing that at some point it will become eWaste.
 
highfigh

highfigh

Seriously, I have no life.
Hi,
I'm trying to find a product that does the following:
  1. Stereo amplifier with subwoofer output
  2. Can stream Amazon HD/Ultra HD
  3. Has Bluetooth
  4. Can stream via ethernet from my NAS without a lot of gymnastics
  5. Can connect my old Oppo DVD/SACD/DVD-A player and play high resolution audio
  6. Doesn't break the bank (about $500)
  7. Alexa connectivity would be nice
Does anyone know if such thing exists? I've looked in Amazon, Crutchfield, Audio Advisor, and other websites without any luck, and I figured I'd ask here for a definite answer. Thanks for your help.
If it can stream, you don't need Bluetooth and in fact, BT isn't good/great unless it's BT5.0. $500 says this isn't gonna happen- nobody makes anything for that price WITHOUT most of these features, so they certainly won't make something WITH them. The Denon DRA-800H receiver will do much of it, but not all and that's $699. I would pass on anything Alexa.
 
T

Trebdp83

Audioholic Spartan
Check Costco out for a Denon S760H, Onkyo TX-NR6050 or Yamaha TSR-700. They check most if not all of your boxes for around $500. I have the Onkyo TX-NR6050 and have an RX-V6A(TSR-700 twin) as well. Tried out the Denon S760H and rather liked it but the Onkyo edged it out for me. All have ethernet and wireless network music streaming capabilities, control apps and support for Amazon Music and Alexa.

These are multi channel AVRs and offer advanced video features as well. But, throw in gaming and the Yamaha is the least capable of the three. They all have very different setup menus and their own proprietary processes. “Pick your poison” as they say.
 
mtrycrafts

mtrycrafts

Seriously, I have no life.
If it can stream, you don't need Bluetooth and in fact, BT isn't good/great unless it's BT5.0. $500 says this isn't gonna happen- nobody makes anything for that price WITHOUT most of these features, so they certainly won't make something WITH them. The Denon DRA-800H receiver will do much of it, but not all and that's $699. I would pass on anything Alexa.
Wouldn't he need Bluetooth if he wants to use a headset in his house?
 
highfigh

highfigh

Seriously, I have no life.
Wouldn't he need Bluetooth if he wants to use a headset in his house?
Maybe- some headphones come with their own charger/RF transmitter and get their input from a REC Out.
 
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