Is it worth adding a DAC to Marantz SR 5009 ?

[larry2910]

I have 5 B&W M1 + ASW610 sub.

I want to buy a decent receiver + good audio wires + a DAC (maybe)

Here are my 2 questions :

1) Do I need n external DAC if I get the Marantz SR 5009 or the one integrated is good enough

2) Which audio wires are best suited to pair with my B&W M1 ?

 

[markw]

I doubt you'll need an external DAC with that receiver but see what your ears tell you. Make sure you can return it though.

As for wires, virtually any 12 -16 gauge speaker wire will perform as well as the boutique stuff but some people feel better when they spend lots of money for pretty wires. Try generic stuff first: Home Depot for unterminated wires or Blue Jeans Cable if you want ends on it

A lot of people have spent lot of money only to learn they really didn't have to to get the same sound.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I want to buy a decent receiver + good audio wires + a DAC (maybe)

Don't waste money on DAC or audio wires.

The DAC on a decent AVR will sound as good as any external DAC.

 

[ImcLoud]

I would start with the avr you choose, a roll of cable, and some banana plugs... Amazon.com: Soundsoul Quicklock 24k Gold Banana Connectors for Easy Self Crimping Terminations 6-pairs: Electronics Amazon.com: Karma Kable 50' Twisted 12 Gauge Speaker Wire: Electronics which will be over kill at that... this will sound the same Amazon.com : Pyramid RSW12100 12AWG 100-Foot Spool of High-Quality Speaker Zip Wire : Vehicle Speaker Wire : Electronics .......

Now if you are one to fall for placebo effect and believe that the more you pay for something the better it sounds then go crazy, spend all you can since by that logic it would mean you get the best sound you can afford...

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

...and some banana plugs...

Also keep in mind that the banana plugs are only for convenience; they don't enhance the sound. Bare wire will sound just as good.

I have banana plugs for all my speakers.

 

[ImcLoud]

Also keep in mind that the banana plugs are only for convenience; they don't enhance the sound. Bare wire will sound just as good.

I have banana plugs for all my speakers.

Banana's have a lot of potassium and that is good for you... the plugs make hooking everything up so much easier, less chance of having a stray wire bridge across your terminals and short out your amp too..

Although I seen an interesting technique a while back where the gentleman stripped the wire back about an inch and a half so he could fold it back and forth a couple times to make it thicker at the end, then he used a mold and melted solder onto each end so that the wire was covered with silver solder, he smoothed it with a torch and made a perfect end that fit rite into the center of the input plugs... I was impressed, he said he learned it in the military where he was in communications that was how they did it...

 

[larry2910]

Thank you all for your advices !

I am planning to use my iphone/ ipad primarily to listen to music with Airplay

Provided I purchase AVR Marantz SR 5009 and internal DAC is of good quality, what should be the set-up to enjoy best quality audio ?

Send signal from iphone to WIFI / Airplay or should I add something in between ?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Banana's have a lot of potassium and that is good for you... the plugs make hooking everything up so much easier, less chance of having a stray wire bridge across your terminals and short out your amp too..

Although I seen an interesting technique a while back where the gentleman stripped the wire back about an inch and a half so he could fold it back and forth a couple times to make it thicker at the end, then he used a mold and melted solder onto each end so that the wire was covered with silver solder, he smoothed it with a torch and made a perfect end that fit rite into the center of the input plugs... I was impressed, he said he learned it in the military where he was in communications that was how they did it...

Almost made me wish I went to the military.

 

[swspiers]

I'll just chime in with my 2 cents.

I love DACS. I've had a few, with my Marantz SR-7002. They are awesome, wonderful, and fun to collect and swap out, and then write about in forums.

I have yet to hear, experience, document, note, notice or otherwise encounter a difference between them. But they are fun!