Amp with analog signal or receiver with digital signal?

[free2day33611]

I have a Denon 3805 in the main listening area (7.1 with Axiom M60’s fronts, VP150 center, QS8’s surround, and a SVS sub). I also have an old Kenwood (KRV-8010) receiver running three pairs of speakers in the bedroom, game room, and patio thru a Niles speaker selector. I run a Denon 3910 and a Sony 5 disc changer to both the Denon 3805 and to the Kenwood (analog only).

I spend a lot of time on the patio and want to upgrade that area (music only). I will be replacing the builder grade in-ceiling speakers (came with the house) with in-ceiling speakers in the $500/pr range.

Options for amp vs. receiver:

1. The Denon 3805 can run a Zone 2 (and 3). So I could get a separate two channel amp (Emotiva BPA-1 for $159 for example). The only problem is Zone 2 only passes an analog signal.

2. I could get a receiver (Pioneer VSX-516 for $160 for example) that would accept digital directly from the Denon 3910 and replace the Sony CDP-CE 375 (5 cd changer with only one digital out) with a 5 cd changer with at least two digital outputs.

Is it better to go analog with a superior receiver (Denon 3805) with better processing (DAC’s, etc.); or to go digital with a lower rated receiver? Or would I even be able to tell the difference?

 

[jcPanny]

Outdoor speakers

If you are spending that kind of money to upgrade the outdoor speakers consider driving them with at least 100 Watts per channel to take advantage of their capabilities. A Behringer A500 for $180 can deliver over 200 Watts into 4 ohms and should work well, but would also require an analog connection.

Also consider that the outdoor listening environment has a much higher noise floor than than an indoor HT application and that many speakers designed for outdoors come in a bookshelf type package vs. in-ceiling.

 

[free2day33611]

Good point about the power of the amp.

The patio is covered and has high ceilings so that the speaker would not be directly subjected to the elements, so I was thinking of not having to do "outdoor" speakers. I'm pretty sure the speakers currently in the ceiling on the patio are the same as in other parts of the house. The house is about 6 years old and they are still fine. Having said this, it is Florida and the humidity, etc. would be a factor. On the speaker forum I've seen in-ceiling discussions on "moisture resistant" for bathrooms, etc.

 

[jcPanny]

D/A conversion

Concerning the Analog vs. Digital, it is unlikely that a low end receiver (<$200) will have a significantly better D/A converter than the one in your CD changer. The speaker and amp up grade should make a bigger difference so I would stick with the analog source connections.

 

[free2day33611]

Good suggestion. That was the kind of input I was looking for. So I will go the amp route, and make sure I get a more powerful of an amp. The Behringer A500 at $180 looks pretty good. Thanks.