Advice: AVR vs Streamer & Amp

[Brian.M]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking to get some advice on what gear to purchase for my system. I have a 2.2 channel system that I use for Movies, TV, and Gaming.

I'm giving my AVR to a friend (Denon AVR-S950H) and looking to replace it with something new.

I'm unsure if I should just get a new AVR or something like a WiiM Ultra & an Amp (Nord Hypex NC252MP).

My question: What are the benefits of the AVR? I don't really understand the whole AVR down-sampling multichannel content to 2.1.

Since my use-case is Movies, TV, and Gaming - would an AVR be the better choice?

I was considering the Denon x3800h on sale ($1000) - but a friend told me since I only have 2 speakers I would be better of with the WiiM Ultra and a good amp.

My Equipment:
Speakers: Arendal 1723 THX Monitors
Subs: HSU VTF-15H MK2
AVR: Denon S950h

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

 

[TLS Guy]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking to get some advice on what gear to purchase for my system. I have a 2.2 channel system that I use for Movies, TV, and Gaming.

I'm giving my AVR to a friend (Denon AVR-S950H) and looking to replace it with something new.

I'm unsure if I should just get a new AVR or something like a WiiM Ultra & an Amp (Nord Hypex NC252MP).

My question: What are the benefits of the AVR? I don't really understand the whole AVR down-sampling multichannel content to 2.1.

Since my use-case is Movies, TV, and Gaming - would an AVR be the better choice?

I was considering the Denon x3800h on sale ($1000) - but a friend told me since I only have 2 speakers I would be better of with the WiiM Ultra and a good amp.

My Equipment:
Speakers: Arendal 1723 THX Monitors
Subs: HSU VTF-15H MK2
AVR: Denon S950h

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

It seems like an interesting unit. For your needs though it has one serious shortcoming. It only supports ARC and not eARC. ARC is often buggy and does not support a lossless connection. For that reason, I would not want it.

By the time you add the cost of a decent amp, you will be up to the cost of a receiver which is more versatile.

From the impedance curve your speakers are four ohm. Receivers tend not to like that if you push the volume hard. But they are nice speakers. Your optimal solution is an AVP and an external two channel power amp, or get a receiver with preouts to drive an external amp. I have a feeling those speakers would benefit from an amp that is very comfortable with four ohm loads.

Lastly, since you use your TV a lot, you might want to consider adding a center channel. Although having said that I have a 7.2.4 system and a 2.1 and 3.1 systems. On the 2.1 system I have to say that I don't really miss the center channel. On the 3.1 system there really is no significant difference if you use it 2.1 or 3.1. Dialog is fractionally more focused in in 3.1 but it is really splitting hairs. I suspect your speakers have good speech intelligibility in which case a center speaker will not bring much to the table. Far too many speakers have poor speech intelligibility and that also includes center channels.

I am astounded at how many speakers fall short of the mark, and have to wonder where their designers learned their craft.

 

[Brian.M]

It seems like an interesting unit. For your needs though it has one serious shortcoming. It only supports ARC and not eARC. ARC is often buggy and does not support a lossless connection. For that reason, I would not want it.

By the time you add the cost of a decent amp, you will be up to the cost of a receiver which is more versatile.

From the impedance curve your speakers are four ohm. Receivers tend not to like that if you push the volume hard. But they are nice speakers. Your optimal solution is an AVP and an external two channel power amp, or get a receiver with preouts to drive an external amp. I have a feeling those speakers would benefit from an amp that is very comfortable with four ohm loads.

Lastly, since you use your TV a lot, you might want to consider adding a center channel. Although having said that I have a 7.2.4 system and a 2.1 and 3.1 systems. On the 2.1 system I have to say that I don't really miss the center channel. On the 3.1 system there really is no significant difference if you use it 2.1 or 3.1. Dialog is fractionally more focused in in 3.1 but it is really splitting hairs. I suspect your speakers have good speech intelligibility in which case a center speaker will not bring much to the table. Far too many speakers have poor speech intelligibility and that also includes center channels.

I am astounded at how many speakers fall short of the mark, and have to wonder where their designers learned their craft.

Thanks for the reply! I didn't realize the Wiim Ultra only supports ARC. That's good to know.

If my budget is around $1000 - $1500, what gear would you recommend?

I'm also trying to understand the whole AVR down-sampling multichannel audio thing. I was told an AVR (like the Denon x3800h) is better for movies streaming off my Plex server.

The Movie files have DDP5.1, Atmos, and TrueHD 7.1, etc. Does the AVR handle these audio formats in a way that a streamer + amp cannot? Is that what down sampling multichannel audio is?

I've never understood how it works when the source data format is multi-channel but my speaker system is only 2.1

 

[Golfx]

Hi, you really do not need to understand downsampling to 2.2. An AVR will just do it for you.

You just do not hear sounds from the other channels because you do not have them anyway. The Denon setup program will take care of that for you.

Also, an AVR would work well, if in the future, you decide to add other channels/speakers (surrounds and center as TLS suggested). Especially, because you specify movies, tv and gaming—those all say AVR. Your friend is only looking at your two speakers not your future potential.

 

[TLS Guy]

Thanks for the reply! I didn't realize the Wiim Ultra only supports ARC. That's good to know.

If my budget is around $1000 - $1500, what gear would you recommend?

I'm also trying to understand the whole AVR down-sampling multichannel audio thing. I was told an AVR (like the Denon x3800h) is better for movies streaming off my Plex server.

The Movie files have DDP5.1, Atmos, and TrueHD 7.1, etc. Does the AVR handle these audio formats in a way that a streamer + amp cannot? Is that what down sampling multichannel audio is?

I've never understood how it works when the source data format is multi-channel but my speaker system is only 2.1

The streamer will not handle multichannel audio except to down mix it to two. if you plan on adding more channels then you need an AVR or AVP.

 

[Slave IV]

As others have stated in a way and I agree, the main feature of an AVR to me is the surround sound processing, which will help create a more immersive experience if you are willing to get more speakers to literally surround you. Movies, TV and games are the primary content that benefit most from this kind of setup. But more modes and speakers can also cause more complication and room for error so it’s up to what you really want. Well placed stereo speakers can potentially also give you an immersive experience but obviously won’t be the same as 5+ speakers all around you. I personally wouldn’t recommend a 3.x setup because I just don’t think it’s worth the trouble without going to at least 5.x and the center could become more of a headache if it doesn’t project dialogue as well as intended.
So simple answer, get an AVR if you plan to get more speakers and get something like an integrated amp or preamp and amp(s) and whatever it is, make sure it has the sub outs you need for your Hsu’s (I’m not familiar with what connections those have and you can probably work it out but it might be more ideal to optimize based on what options those have).