Anthem
STR Integrated Amplifier (No XLR, only RCA)
ARCAM SR250
(No XLR, only RCA)
Any of a number of DEQX devices (No HDMI) |
My system is pure audiophile stereo with a 9 foot screen for the best movie sound I ever heard. Well the 5 sub distributed bass array does help a bit.
Anyway, what I do is send the video straight from the source to the projector via HDMI, and the sound separately via RCA to my integrated amp. That's it. KISS.
You will not get anywhere near this with anything multichannel. Anything. No matter how much money you have to throw at it. Bring one home and compare side by side, you will see.
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If you're going to do straight two channel you'd be better off with a high quality two channel pre-amp. If it has at least two sets of outs you can run your mains off one set and the two subs off the other set. Connect video directly from your movie source(s) (disc player, Roku, etc.) to your tv or projector and use the analog audio outs to the pre-amp.
You won't have all the room correction stuff, but you probably won't miss it with only two channels, especially if you add a couple more subs. You'll be sending the 4K signal directly to your display device instead of routing it through something else.
If you insist on having a home theater device in the mix, get a preamp with home theater bypass so you don't have the home theater processor degrading sound when you're using the system for music. |
Like everyone else said, a 2-channel preamp will usually have the better sound. If you wanted a HT pre/pro, two items come to mind:
Bryston SP3 - no room correction or EQ however
Krell Foundation
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Some people have mentioned sending the sound separately to a preamp, or integrated amp, and simply connecting all video equipment straight to the tv. My next question would be, how do I send the signal from the tv to the preamp? It looks like my only two options would be RCA or Fiber Optical. Would that degrade the sound compared to using HMDI? |
You don't want to send the audio from the TV to the preamp. Connect the audio from your playback device(s) directly to your preamp. If your bluray player has analog (RCA) outputs, connect those to the preamp and send the video to the TV through an HDMI cable. Make sense? Not all bluray players will have analog outs, but most higher end ones will. My Oppo 4K player and my Roku both have RCA outs. |
jimmy225 is most likely asking because, like many other TV consumers, he is using a smart TV with Netflix/Spotify apps built in. Like big_greg stated, this is never the best way to stream audio to an HT processor or preamp. Much better to investigate streaming media players, such as Roku, AppleTV, Amazon Fire. Or move up to higher end streamers such as Zappiti, Zidoo, Dune.
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Volume control? I am setting up a similar 2.1 system. Thank you for this thread jimmy225!
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I do have a smart tv but I’m certainly not opposed to adding a streaming device. The setup I’m looking for would include a ps4, cable box, (Apple TV), so at least 3 HDMI connects, and a Turntable with a phono pre. Additionally two speakers and two subs. The closest thing I’ve found, that’s not a pre/pro is the Nad m12. The only problem with that is it doesn’t have balanced outs for the subs |
The Classe Sigma 2200i is a integrated amp with HDMI inputs and a subwoofer crossover. It has one subwoofer output, so you'd have to use a Y-splitter cable.
Otherwise, you're looking at a full HT pre/pro. The Bryston SP3 and Krell Foundation are only 7.1 processors (they don't have 13-15 channels). The Bryston has fully discrete Class A analog output stages, so it's much like a high end preamp.
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The closest thing I’ve found, that’s not a pre/pro is the Nad m12. The only problem with that is it doesn’t have balanced outs for the subs
What's driving the requirement that you can only use the balanced connections on your subs? Do you need to run a long cable? Have you considered wireless? I use wireless for two of my subs and it works great. |
I don't have to use balanced connections to my subs but I would like to. The Martin Logan 1100X subs have a balanced input so it would be kind of silly to use them with unbalanced cables or with their wireless option. Ultimately I want the best performance I can get out of my equipment |
The Martin Logan 1100X subs have a balanced input so it would be kind of silly to use them with unbalanced cables or with their wireless option.
Have you listened with your subs using an RCA or wireless connection? Unless you have really long runs, I doubt you'd hear a difference. |
I have not done a balanced and unbalance comparison with the subs yet however I do know that I will be moving in the next year and that could change the current layout of my system. To prevent buyers remorse I would at the very least like the option of having balanced connections. |
The Classe Sigma 2200i is a integrated amp with HDMI inputs and a subwoofer crossover. It has one subwoofer output, so you'd have to use a Y-splitter cable.
I bought one of these new. Waiting on delivery. They are being very heavily discounted if you google it. |
I’m a fan of using a quality stereo pre too and frequently advocate pairing a good stereo pre with a cheaper AVR to handle processing. But in your situation you’re looking for better quality processing and balanced outputs, so you’re gonna have to pay up on the processing side, and adding a good stereo pre on top of that would get very expensive. I think a good prepro is your best bet, and if you get the itch down the road you can try plugging in a good stereo preamp to see what improvements may be had.
As as far as prepros, along with the AVM60 there’s the Marantz 7705. If you want more neutral and detailed sound go with the Anthem and if you want warmer sound and are willing to sacrifice some detail choose the Marantz. IMO the processing advantage goes to the Anthem, but as you run 2.2 I’m not sure how much of a difference this will make. Best of luck.
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