Preamp selections 2 channel

[ematthews]

I'm right on track. Components sold.. Speakers kept. Quality amp on the way... Avr pre pro and Oppo being considered.

 

[Irvrobinson]

Wow. 6 + 17 months hiatus.

My longest break was probably one week.

I think I may hold the record in this regard. I joined in 2004 and a certain member made me feel unwelcome after a few posts, so I just went away, for five years.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Acu.... do you not use a BD player in your HT set up? I'm realy starting to swing towards changing to the complete AVR set up and incorporating my tv into the set up.. This way I can watch some of my BD video concerts from Steven Wilson etc.

I do not use a BD player or any player anymore. I stream lossless music to my Denon. I stream video files for HD TV shows and HD movies. All digital.

 

[PENG]

We refer to them DACs but they are much more USB Drivers, USB interfaces (some asynchronous, some not), the DACs, preamp, and volume control.
There seem to some synergies between driver, settings and playback software and some combinations sound better than others (to me ). For example, with Oppo, 44.1/16 (and others formats) sound best to me when with bit-depth is not altered by the playback software. There are also settings within the USB driver that can alter the sound. For the most part, these are subtle differences.



For the Op, he was waited his long, maybe he should hold out for the HA-1


- Rich

Agree, by the way the new Denon can be an affordable (relatively) option.
DENON CA | DA-300USB

 

[PENG]

I'm right on track. Components sold.. Speakers kept. Quality amp on the way... Avr pre pro and Oppo being considered.

Like ADTG, I rarely use my BDPs but I still need them for my BR live concerts. In addition to the BDP-105 or 105D, as Rich said you may want to wait for the HA-1 or try out the Denon.
DENON CA | DA-300USB

 

[RichB]

Like ADTG, I rarely use my BDPs but I still need them for my BR live concerts. In addition to the BDP-105 or 105D, as Rich said you may want to wait for the HA-1 or try out the Denon.
DENON CA | DA-300USB

I did a quick scan of the manual, there is scant information on how the volume control works when the analog outputs are connected to an amplifier (Power-on volume etc.). The volume knob is described as the headphone volume control. It must do both, but some documentation would be nice.
The manual is sketchy.

The hardware looks good and the price is right.

- Rich

 

[PENG]

My preamps mostly sound the same but there can be subtle differences. So subtle, that using an XLR switch between an analog Class-a preamp and the Marantz AV8801, I thought the switch was broken until I changed the volume on one. The Marantz is a bit brighter sounding, definitely subtle. There is no way, I could detect this without a switch, but I believe, over time a reasonable person could develop a preference. (No SBT yet, but I have level matched with pink noise, the OmniMic2, and my ears)

You know how I did mine, quick as using switch yet no switch. Not the best way for sure but suits my purpose.

We refer to them DACs but they are much more USB Drivers, USB interfaces (some asynchronous, some not), the DACs, preamp, and volume control.
There seem to some synergies between driver, settings and playback software and some combinations sound better than others (to me ). For example, with Oppo, 44.1/16 (and others formats) sound best to me when with bit-depth is not altered by the playback software. There are also settings within the USB driver that can alter the sound. For the most part, these are subtle differences.

I compared a couple of drivers, made sure eveything set right so nothing will alter the sound. Found no difference but decided to stick to the one recommended by CA.

For the Op, he was waited his long, maybe he should hold out for the HA-1

The simplest solution would be to sell his components and keep the speakers. Replace it with a BDP-105 and good amp. Simple, easy, and a huge increase in capability is provided by the 105's networks capability and apps.

He may not like the price, but the street price of the Denon I linked could be more affordable. By the way, I looked up the specs and measurements of his speakers. They shouldn't be that hard to drive, the phase angles are very gentle in the 6 ohm impedance range. If you consider them 6 ohms nominal you are on the safe side.

 

[RichB]

You know how I did mine, quick as using switch yet no switch. Not the best way for sure but suits my purpose.

Works for me

I compared a couple of drivers, made sure eveything set right so nothing will alter the sound. Found no difference but decided to stick to the one recommended by CA.

This is likely DAC dependent. Oppo recommends Kernel Streaming and WASAPI, primarily because ASIO just ends up at the some point anyway

He may not like the price, but the street price of the Denon I linked could be more affordable.

The street price is $500 in a quick search and it looks price controlled. I am sure ATDG can find a better price

By the way, I looked up the specs and measurements of his speakers. They shouldn't be that hard to drive, the phase angles are very gentle in the 6 ohm impedance range. If you consider them 6 ohms nominal you are on the safe side.

They're bookshelves but if they sound anything like they measure, they are good speakers. Ribbon tweeters can be unforgiving.

Op: what type of music to you listen to and at what volume levels?

- Rich

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I think I may hold the record in this regard. I joined in 2004 and a certain member made me feel unwelcome after a few posts, so I just went away, for five years.

Dang. I'm not very perceptive at all. Just now notice you joined AH Dec 2004.

Oh, yeah, I recall when I first joined and made my first few posts. I believe at least one person (can't remember who) called me a troll.

I later made some statement about now my DefTech BP7000SC sounded better than the B&W 800D after my initial audition and got vivisected by a few members.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Like ADTG, I rarely use my BDPs but I still need them for my BR live concerts. In addition to the BDP-105 or 105D, as Rich said you may want to wait for the HA-1 or try out the Denon.
DENON CA | DA-300USB

Ah, so you haven't gotten into ripping your BDs into MKV files (retain 100% PQ/SQ quality) and playback via XBMC on your HTPC, huh?

You don't need to rip every single BD. Just your favorite BDs.

Most movies and music aren't even worth repeating anyway.

When I think about it, it's really funny how the back of my Denon AVP looks now. 2 HDMI Inputs for my 2 HTPCs. 2 HDMI Outputs for my 2 Projectors. Redundancy.

So simple now.

 

[RichB]

I put them MKV's when trailers and extras are not required and save some space.
Also, no Cinavia non-sense.

- Rich

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I put them MKV's when trailers and extras are not required and save some space.
Also, no Cinavia non-sense.

- Rich

True. Yeah, I meant to say MKV (using the MakeMKV software), instead of ISO.

I used to use ISO, but now I use MKV.

Damn Monday morning. My mind is still asleep.

For DTS-HD MA (not Dolby TrueHD) I also use Handbrake software to compress the Video. My the BD file goes from about 25GB MKV to about 10GB MKV - to save space and all.

 

[ematthews]

Besides the Marantz 7701 is there any AVR PRE that can be had under 1000? Would using a AVR that has an amp already in it as a pre be as good? Wasn't sure?

 

[crossedover]

The x4000 and 3312 from denon. The Marantz is the best bang for the buck.....

 

[agarwalro]

With the Sierra 2 being fairly efficient and you running in 2.1 config, a pre-pro + amp would be waste of money. Get the X4000, it has all the bells and whistles you can hope for. Further, it has the SubEQ feature in case you decide to go 2.2 config. and scales up to 9.2, 3 zones.

 

[RichB]

You can get the Parasound discounted.

- Rich

 

[ematthews]

With the Sierra 2 being fairly efficient and you running in 2.1 config, a pre-pro + amp would be waste of money. Get the X4000, it has all the bells and whistles you can hope for. Further, it has the SubEQ feature in case you decide to go 2.2 config. and scales up to 9.2, 3 zones.

Well. I already have a really nice amp now. Only reason I asked.

 

[RichB]

Well. I already have a really nice amp now. Only reason I asked.

Pray tell.
Have you connected it to the Marantz PM8004 preamp outs?

- Rich

 

[ematthews]

Pray tell.
Have you connected it to the Marantz PM8004 preamp outs?

- Rich

Amp isn't here yet... But in any case I would have to use a splitter to run my sub and amp with the PM8004. It only has one pre out.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would personally go for an AVR as my first choice.

Having an extra amp inside of it doesn't make it any less of a processor.

I recommend a pre-pro if you feel the need for the "high-end" status.