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.

 

[bikemig]

I don't think I was being clear. I own the Yamaha stereo receiver, the R N602, and I have a Wiim mini I could use with that stereo receiver to play music through the house. To connect the TV, it is as simple as as using the digital out to the stereo receiver? I also have a blu ray player I don't use often but I could connect that to the HDMI on the TV, right? It's not as neat as an AV receiver but I just wanted an idea whether this could work.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yes, you can use the digital out to your receiver as it has its own dac. Not sure why you want to connect the bluray player to the tv, tho.

nm Just looked at the Rn602, thought it was a unit with its own hdmi input (which I think more modern Yamahas in that line have)

 

[bikemig]

Yes, you can use the digital out to your receiver as it has its own dac. Not sure why you want to connect the bluray player to the tv, tho.

nm Just looked at the Rn602, thought it was a unit with its own hdmi input (which I think more modern Yamahas in that line have)

Mine is older so no HDMI input.

 

[lovinthehd]

Mine is older so no HDMI input.

Yeah why I added the note. For 2ch either the digital coax/optical inputs should be fine too

 

[lovinthehd]

Mine is older so no HDMI input.

LOL I still count this sort of gear as my newer stuff rather than original stuff

 

[Antares]

LOL I still count this sort of gear as my newer stuff rather than original stuff

To me original stuff are RCA plugs.

 

[lovinthehd]

To me original stuff are RCA plugs.

Yeah was thinking more older analog only stuff vs digital. I love the versatility of digital, tho. Rarely use my only analog source (tt) these days.

 

[Antares]

Yeah was thinking more older analog only stuff vs digital. I love the versatility of digital, tho. Rarely use my only analog source (tt) these days.

Still, there are things digital can never replace.

 

[lovinthehd]

Still, there are things digital can never replace.

Such as?

 

[Antares]

Well, celluloid for one. When theatres used printed celluloid as means of movie transport the image was way better. Even photography was way better with it.

 

[lovinthehd]

Well, celluloid for one. When theatres used printed celluloid as means of movie transport the image was way better. Even photography was way better with it.

That's a bit beyond the audio aspect, eh?

 

[Antares]

Indeed it is.

 

[Trebdp83]

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.

What services are you planning to stream? What is it you do not like about Yamaha’s MusicCast app for streaming music and controlling the receiver?

If the Wiim is connected to the receiver using an optical cable, what need is there for Airplay 2 except to stream music from an iOS device to multiple Wiim devices at once using Airplay 2?

The TV will work fine connected to the optical port of the Yamaha R-N602. But, the receiver only accepts PCM signals. The TV must be set to output PCM over optical.

If you are happy with the Yamaha and a two channel setup with sub, I do not see the need for you to update to a refurbished multichannel unit.

 

[bikemig]

What services are you planning to stream? What is it you do not like about Yamaha’s MusicCast app for streaming music and controlling the receiver?

If the Wiim is connected to the receiver using an optical cable, what need is there for Airplay 2 except to stream music from an iOS device to multiple Wiim devices at once using Airplay 2?

The TV will work fine connected to the optical port of the Yamaha R-N602. But, the receiver only accepts PCM signals. The TV must be set to output PCM over optical.

If you are happy with the Yamaha and a two channel setup with sub, I do not see the need for you to update to a refurbished multichannel unit.

I've been seriously underwhelmed by Yamaha music cast. Part of the problem is hardware. Two of my units died and Wiim is a heck of a lot cheaper and more versatile. Plus my Yamaha units lack airplay 2 so they do not play nicely with my iPad (I'm stuck with bluetooth which is OK but I'd rather be able to use airplay).

 

[Trebdp83]

If using Airplay 2 from an iPad, you could also look into used AirPort Express Gen 2 units connected to your receivers. They were updated to support Airplay 2 and have analog/optical ports. They need to be connected using a mini/TOSLink cable.