Newbie question about home theater set up

[bikemig]

I'm switching my music streaming to Wiim devices. I have a 2.1 home theater with a pair of Ascend Acoustic CBM 170 speakers and a sub.

CBM-170SE SINGLE SPEAKER - Ascend Acoustics

I also have a Yamaha R N602 Stereo receiver: R-N602 - Overview - Hi-Fi Components - Home Audio - Products - Yamaha USA

I'm planning on buying a Wiim streamer to connect via optical to the Yamaha receiver. I know it's a streaming stereo receiver, but it doesn't do Airplay 2 and I'd like to be able to control everything via the Wiim app.

To connect the TV, it is as simple as using the digital out to the receiver and picking the right output from the TV, right? Am I missing something obvious before I spend money on a Wiim streamer (the hockey puck one only costs $89).

I really like the little Wiim amp with HDM arc port which would be an alternative way to set this up. But it only does 60 watts into 8 ohm and the Yamaha is a bit more capable I think (but I could be wrong as I'm sort of a newbie at this). The HDMI arc port is nice.

The third alternative would be the Onkyo TX 8470. The price isn't bad refurbished. It's not a Wiim unit but it does work with Airplay 2 and it has an HDMI arc as well.

 

[TLS Guy]

I'm switching my music streaming to Wiim devices. I have a 2.1 home theater with a pair of Ascend Acoustic CBM 170 speakers and a sub.

CBM-170SE SINGLE SPEAKER - Ascend Acoustics

I also have a Yamaha R N602 Stereo receiver: R-N602 - Overview - Hi-Fi Components - Home Audio - Products - Yamaha USA

I'm planning on buying a Wiim streamer to connect via optical to the Yamaha receiver. I know it's a streaming stereo receiver, but it doesn't do Airplay 2 and I'd like to be able to control everything via the Wiim app.

To connect the TV, it is as simple as using the digital out to the receiver and picking the right output from the TV, right? Am I missing something obvious before I spend money on a Wiim streamer (the hockey puck one only costs $89).

I really like the little Wiim amp with HDM arc port which would be an alternative way to set this up. But it only does 60 watts into 8 ohm and the Yamaha is a bit more capable I think (but I could be wrong as I'm sort of a newbie at this). The HDMI arc port is nice.

The third alternative would be the Onkyo TX 8470. The price isn't bad refurbished. It's not a Wiim unit but it does work with Airplay 2 and it has an HDMI arc as well.

Your best option is to get an AV receiver. Avoid a refurb though. That is rolling the dice. These units don't repair well. If you are lucky you get an open box unit, if not expect trouble and probably sooner rather than later.

If you use the Wiim I think your results will be inferior and awkward. That amp only has an eARC which will be limiting.

Now you are getting into AV, you should be considering a full blown receiver. The problem is that once you start watching video material you will run into the LFE channel which could be damaging to those small bookshelf speakers.

The Onkyo is an interesting unit, but as usual they have stopped short of designing it properly.

We do really need a good 2 channel receiver appropriate for AV. As far as I know such an item does not exist. So that leaves people with larger units than required and outputs they will never use.

If you get the Onkyo, which is the best option you mention, then if you are careful with the volume watching video content with impressive explosions, it will likely be fine. We have member who lives near me, and bought a pair of the speakers you have and he bought the speakers cheap as they were blown and has replaced the woofers.

This is a difficult choice and you need to be honest with yourself, as to how you will actually use the system. Inappropriate selections can be the most expensive of all.