help with reciever choice

[LeoB89]

Hi everyone. I am trying to decide what to do with my setup. I feel like my hometheatre setup is pretty solid but could use a few upgrades. I would like to get the advice of this forum.

Speakers:
Front: Paradigm Studio 100 v1
center: cc 350 (paradigm said i should upgrade this)
Surrounds: Studio 20 v1
Sub is ps 1200
Playing From sony ps3 slim
Using Denon 2312 (issues)
Tv: panasonic gt50
For Music i am not so impressed but I may be doing things incorrectly:
I want to use my system as a stereo setup as well. What is this best way to play music through my laptop? I will be downloading flac files and 320 mp3. The network connectivity is down and so is my usb port so i wouldnt mind getting a different reciever. When I connect my laptop with hdmi, is this using the denon dac or the laptops? tips or directing me to threads on this matter would be great.

Would upgrading to the 3312 or 4311 be enough? or Should I get an external amp in addition. If so I think i could only afford the 3312 (hopefully it will go on sale again). paradigm says these speakers could use at least 150 watts, and the more the better. I was reading these forums and many members seem to favor ATI amplifiers. Would just getting 2 channel amp for my mains be suffice or should i do the front 3? Or maybe there is no need for an amp. My room size is fairly large and it is open. usually i listen to movies around -20 to -15 if alone. if with other they ask me to turn it down to about -30.

Anyways what would you all change in my system?

Thanks,
Leo

 

[Budabear]

I'll only comment on the receiver. I am very used to higher end equipment on a budget of mid end. For that reason I have no problem purchasing pre-owned equipment.

I recently upgraded two a/v receivers to get hdmi in my systems. I got rid of a denon avr3805 and a B&K avr307. I replaced them with a denon avr4308ci and an avr4310ci. I purchased both these units used becuse I don't want anything less then what these models have to offer but prefer not to spend what it would cost to get the equivalent current models new. Both model have the full auddessy packages. There both in mint condition and I have no worries that they will last me well into my next upgrade which will be quite a while from now.

All of this was just to say go for a higher model then what you have in your sights. You will be much happier in the long run.

 

[Grador]

HDMI is a digital connection, so you're using the DAC in your receiver hooked up in this manner.

Adding an amplifier will only help you if you're running near the end of the receiver's capability. If you aren't listening loud an external amp will not help you (and it's somewhat difficult to go by volume settings).

Before I looked at upgrading anything I'd look at attempting to improve setup and if that fails try to determine the exact issue you're having that you'd like to improve. Unless your upgrades are targeted at fixing a known problem you can end up spending endless money and being no happier. Are you using audysssey? No matter the answer to that question, try doing the opposite. Also look at speaker placement, try angling them in towards you a little more or less. If you're a little more descriptive about what you don't like you can get some advice that's more targeted at your issues.

As for the center, it's true that the center is not the matching center for your system, but unless you've noticed it feeling out of place there is 0 reason to do anything about it. NEVER listen to other's advice to change something you are happy with.

 

[LeoB89]

Ok thanks guys. Ill look into researching ways to fix my home setup with better speaker placement. I did run the auddessy. Do you all believe that the denon 3312 and an external is better? Or Is it better to just get the 4311?

Should I call paradigm or just research here on speaker placement and room treatments?

And thanks Grador, I do notice that the center isnt as strong as it should be. But id rather fix the music portion of my issue first. Ill start off with trying to fix my set up, and maybe upgrade the reciever if this doesnt work.

Thanks
Leo

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

HDMI is a digital connection, so you're using the DAC in your receiver hooked up in this manner.

I don't think that's always the case. When I use WMP, the SQ seems bad, like the PC is doing some processing. I don't know. Maybe DAC, then Bass Management & ADC to PCM. It sounds bad. Don't know why.

But playing the same songs with a different media player gets me excellent SQ.

So it may be a good idea to try different media players.

Some players will allow us to set up different audio outputs. Some may not. I don't think WMP allows us to choose bitstream vs PCM.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I did run the auddessy. Do you all believe that the denon 3312 and an external is better? Or Is it better to just get the 4311?

Also compare Audyssey On vs Audyssey Off. Some people (like myself) do not like the sound of room correction EQ.

Thus, I turn off Audyssey & any EQ.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Should I call paradigm or just research here on speaker placement and room treatments?

I would not BLINDLY treat a room. Only treat a room if you have measurement equipments to measure your speakers & room. That way you know the actual effects of the room treatments on measurement.

Most rooms with carpets, rugs, drapes, curtains, books, sofas, etc, are just fine. You may need to experiment with speaker placements - like RELUCTANTLY moving your speakers far away from walls.

My speakers are like 3ft away from the front wall. Most people (wives) may have issues with that.

 

[LeoB89]

yeah my parents want those speakers as far back as possible Maybe I will try to have them a foot apart.

Which Media players worked out for you? For some reason VLC is not sounding good at all lately. During intense scenes in music or movies I get this broken up sound. Ill try foobar or some others.
On this same note. One time I brought up the studio 20s and borrowed my cousins rotel amp. I connected my fiio e7 dac and computer to it and it sounded great. Maybe because of the room, or becuase the dac. Or the denon is kind of busted since i bought it used. Very strange though

Ill try auddesy on and off. Also i was reading before that i should use the mic on a tripod and not in my hand. will this be a much better result?

And lastly @ADTG: I saw in a previous posts you reccommened another paradigm studio 100 user to get an amp that drops to 2.5 ohms. How do i know which amp can do this? Can my denon? or the higher models by denon?

Thanks
Leo

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

And lastly @ADTG: I saw in a previous posts you reccommened another paradigm studio 100 user to get an amp that drops to 2.5 ohms. How do i know which amp can do this? Can my denon? or the higher models by denon?

A $290 Crown XLS1000 amp can output 550wpc RMS into 2 ohms.
Amazon.com: Buying Choices: Crown XLS1000 Power Amplifier with integrated PureBand Crossover System and PeakX Limiters

I think the Denon 48xx or 5xxx AVR are stable down 2ohm, but probably not the 43xxx or below.

I know the Denon 80wpc integrated amp is stable down to 2ohm.

 

[Grador]

I don't think that's always the case. When I use WMP, the SQ seems bad, like the PC is doing some processing. I don't know. Maybe DAC, then Bass Management & ADC to PCM. It sounds bad. Don't know why.

WMP may be applying some processing, but it's still being put out as digital PCM over HDMI and using the receivers DAC. HDMI has no analog capability.

Which Media players worked out for you? For some reason VLC is not sounding good at all lately. During intense scenes in music or movies I get this broken up sound. Ill try foobar or some others.

If I remember this correctly VLC's volume slider will allow you to go above 100% which could be causing your problem there, foobar is a good choice.

 

[LeoB89]

Hi guys. I just got back from a long vacation in Fl so I tried turning the auddessy off and it did make it better. I'm going to try the setup again and try to use a stand or tripod and compare again. Also i noticed a huge difference when using my laptop (better) than a denon dock for an ipod. Even though i switched to a digital cable it still doesn't sound good to me. My laptop and Foobar plays much better. Huge inconvenience to bring it downstairs and battery life isn't so great.

I still want to go ahead and get the amp just so I "know" that it is being driven correctly and if I want a different or better sound I need different speakers.

I spoke with Crown and the technical service guy was really nice but he told me that I need either a AVR that has 4dbu output for it to work. Or I need to buy a separate unit (forgot name) that can be in the middle of my reciever and crown amp to do this output. Is the denon 3312 4dbu output and how do i find out?

Thanks
Leo

 

[PENG]

WMP may be applying some processing, but it's still being put out as digital PCM over HDMI and using the receivers DAC. HDMI has no analog capability.



If I remember this correctly VLC's volume slider will allow you to go above 100% which could be causing your problem there, foobar is a good choice.

If you output it in PCM the sound card of the laptop is still doing some processing/decoding. Try using bitstream from the laptop and see if the AVR can do a better job.

You mentioned in your other post about hand holding the mic, that is not good. You should read the instructions from the Audyssey website and run Audyssey again following the instructions to the letter.

How to MultEQ | Audyssey

I have listened to the Studio V2 driven by just a Yamaha RX-V2400 AVR, and there was no sign of them needing anything more powerful. However, if you room is quite large and you are used to listening to higher SPL then an external amp may make a difference, though for 2 channel music listening I think the 4311 should be adequate for the most part.

 

[Grador]

Hi guys. I just got back from a long vacation in Fl so I tried turning the auddessy off and it did make it better. I'm going to try the setup again and try to use a stand or tripod and compare again. Also i noticed a huge difference when using my laptop (better) than a denon dock for an ipod. Even though i switched to a digital cable it still doesn't sound good to me. My laptop and Foobar plays much better. Huge inconvenience to bring it downstairs and battery life isn't so great.

Can you find anything you might be doing differently between the ipod and laptop? Examples: having a different sound mode set for the different inputs on the receiver or equalization set on the ipod.