Going (mostly) wireless - so confused

[loungebob]

So, here's the thing. My 7.1 speaker set-up has to go. It's annoying to me and I dont want those cables and speakers anymore.

This will come in:

Raumfeld's Sounddeck

or

Naim's Mu-so

and/or

some decent active wireless stereo speakers (Denon, Raumfeld....) (sorry, cant post links)


Now that I got rid of all the othere stuff, I was looking at my Sony AV Receiver and thinking, do I still need THIS?
And I'm pretty sure, I dont, in this config. I still would like something to hook up my PS4 and Xbox and maybe other external devices but not that Sony monstrosity.

Since I dont need the 7.1 connectors on the back of the Sony AV Receiver/Amp anymore and basically only need lots of HDMI in and out and some optical outs, I was thinking, I need an AV receiver with just that.

But after hours of googling, I seem to be unable to find an AV Reciver/Amp that was none of those speaker connectors but just HDMI ports and Optical ports.

Am I looking for something that doesnt exist? Am I getting this all wrong and dont need an AV Receiver/Amp anymore? Do I need an HDMI Switch(er) instead?

I know the Sounddecks in the two above links have their own amplifier but I still wanted a separate Amp to connect my other devices to. The games on the PS4 just sounded a tad nicer when the sound went through my Sony Receiver and its DSP did its magic.

So, what now? No Receiver/Amp at all? A HDMI Switcher or everything just connected to the TVs HDMI ports and using the optical out on it to connect to a Receiver/Amp that has tons of speaker connectors on the back I dont need or want? Or something I havent thought of yet?

Any input appreciated.

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

But after hours of googling, I seem to be unable to find an AV Reciver/Amp that was none of those speaker connectors but just HDMI ports and Optical ports.

Am I looking for something that doesnt exist?

Yes it exists. It’s called an A/V pre-amp. Lots of companies make them.

However, getting one won’t do you any good. The fundamental problem is that A/V receivers and active soundbars are two methods for achieving audio for video programming that are mutually incompatible.

If you want to ditch the Sony you’ll need a soundbar with as many HDMI inputs as you have components.

If you want to keep your big main-channel L/R speakers, you’ll have to keep the Sony. An option might be to get a passive soundbar, which connects to a standard A/V receiver like free-standing speakers would. However, this automatically gets you a couple of new problems: Five-channel passive sound bars are rare (Definitive Technologies Mythos SSA-50 is one). And if you use your big L/R speakers that means you won’t be utilizing the L/R channels of the soundbar, despite having paid for them.

Your call.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

So, here's the thing. LIKE OMG (pronounced out loud) and I'M NOT EVEN.
Your idea of Wireless magical music and pixie dust has to go.
Guess what, Wireless - doesn't mean there are no wires - it still have to be plugged into the wall...

You need to find good custom A/V installer, who can do job of installing speakers without visible wires or visible speaker (in-wall etc..)

Here are few solid examples:
https://rbhsound.com/installers.php

Good luck

 

[loungebob]

Thanks Wayne, I'll keep that in mind.

BoredSysAdmin, wont let go. Ever! This is where it has to be headed. Everything else is so 1970.

Btw, most people in the world rent, they dont own. Over here, about 80% rent. We dont invest in our rented places, meaning we dont hire someone to lay down cable. If I should buy and build a house, I'll reconsider it. Also, most rendted places here have wall and floor sockets a plenty. And like mine, also Gigabit Ethernet attached to it. Powering the wireless speakers should be easy that way. Until wirelss electricity is ready. ;-)

 

[markw]

Thanks Wayne, I'll keep that in mind.

BoredSysAdmin, wont let go. Ever! This is where it has to be headed. Everything else is so 1970.

Btw, most people in the world rent, they dont own. Over here, about 80% rent. We dont invest in our rented places, meaning we dont hire someone to lay down cable. If I should buy and build a house, I'll reconsider it. Also, most rendted places here have wall and floor sockets a plenty. And like mine, also Gigabit Ethernet attached to it. Powering the wireless speakers should be easy that way. Until wirelss electricity is ready. ;-)

Keep in mind that we have absolutely no ides where YOUR "over here" is. As such, our answers are based on OUR "over here".

 

[highfigh]

Thanks Wayne, I'll keep that in mind.

BoredSysAdmin, wont let go. Ever! This is where it has to be headed. Everything else is so 1970.

Btw, most people in the world rent, they dont own. Over here, about 80% rent. We dont invest in our rented places, meaning we dont hire someone to lay down cable. If I should buy and build a house, I'll reconsider it. Also, most rendted places here have wall and floor sockets a plenty. And like mine, also Gigabit Ethernet attached to it. Powering the wireless speakers should be easy that way. Until wirelss electricity is ready. ;-)

Marketing departments have made wireless look like the perfect way to connect everything but it's far from trouble-free. Some systems work well, as long as you don't have other equipment that can cause conflicts.

A far as "Everything else is so 1970.", I don't know what you're on, but I don't think it's legal, here.

Wires work, as long as they're the correct type and are terminated & routed properly.

If you want surround, the audio signal needs to be decoded and an HDMI switch can't do that, I can't think of a stand-alone decoder and I seriously doubt one is on the way.

Look into Sonos, HEOS from Denon and Yamaha's MusiCast.

 

[loungebob]

Thanks mates. I found a Aten HDMi Switch with Dolby TrueHD and optical in/outs....all good.

 

[tyhjaarpa]

I would take a look on Sonos systems if you want wireless setup.