2. home-theater
  3. 189358-189576

Emphasis on stereo but need a complete solution.

So I started trying to fix my stereo output from apple music and have ended up realizing I need to replace the middle of my system.  I only have two real sources of audio video, Firestick and a streaming music service.  

For tv/movies, I don’t care all that much.  Mostly watch baseball, nice if movie sound is decent. Only source is Firestick 4K

For stereo, I do care.  I want the Totems driven as well as possible.  Source Tidal, Qubuz, Apple???

I have a 30 year old NAD 2 channel 2100 amp- I could use for the Totems but willing to replace.

Also have Yamaha – RX-V375 Receiver which I could use for the surrounds.  I don't want it in the signal path to the mains (Totems)

So I care most about the DAC, Preamp, and 2 of the 5.1 channels of the amp(s)

Would rather have the amp(s) separate from the digital stuff.

I used to know audio but stopped paying much attention years ago and somewhat confused by the digital side.  I am a programmer but just don’t keep up with audio formats much.

Cost is definitely a factor.  Used stuff is ok with me and usually more cost effective.  Would like to stay under 3k-ish.

I think I’m breaking the problem down correctly but chime in if not.  Mainly just want to figure out how to break out the components.

What do I put in the middle where it says  ***(What goes here???  

 

Existing system:

Video source:FireStick 4k  ->  

TV:  4K HDMI Input ->  Sony 85" Class X90CL Series 4K  -> 4k HDMI output ->

***(What goes here???   Decode HDMI, Streams Tidal, preamp, amp) ->

Mains: Totem Winds for left/ right mains  - 80-250 watt, 4 ohms, 87 dB sensitivity, 24-21 khz +-3db

Surrounds: Energy center, rears  -No specs, decent, not very important to me

Active Sub (maybe removed if the Winds can handle the lows for movies, don’t need sub for music)

moverton99
deep_333
1,285 posts
 

@moverton99 , the one higher up from the RX-A2A....i.e., the RX-A4A is what you may need with preouts for all channels. It is on accessories4less for $799, full price is usually around 1400.

 

 

Fidelity levels will improve depending on how hifi of a power amplifier you will connect to those preouts, especially the front stage (front left, center, front right).

Here’s a decent power amp candidate with 120 W/channel class AB, all channels driven, which should make your speakers behave...

 

Other things you could consider doing for your Yamaha receiver/processor...

- Read the manual cover to cover

- Turn off bluetooth and wifi. Don’t bother with the antenna.

- Hardwire/Connect with a ethernet cable, use a IFI ethernet filter before plugging in the ethernet cable.

- Use a Audioquest power conditioner such as the Audioquest Powerquest 505 or 707. Plug your processor, amp, router, etc into it on designated outlets.

- If you are a cable believer, use Audioquest power cables, speaker cables and ethernet cables (even the fairly affordable base models should be fine).

 

moverton99 OP
30 posts
 

@soix I did mess up it and bought the 120, they had both open box and somehow swapped without noticing.  I just changed it with the vendor to the 190.  Another 700$ but still good deal.  Thanks for the heads up.  Good catch.  

moverton99 OP
30 posts
 

 

@deep_333 I don't need more than what the A2A can provide for the center and surrounds.  They are relatively tiny and I don't have any plans on something larger there.  I'm only moving the front left/right to the Hagel.

soix
9,425 posts
 

Whew!  Yeah there’s quite a difference between the 120 and 190 both on the amp and digital side so very glad you could switch, and yes that's still a very good price for an open-box 190.  Looking forward to your thoughts. 

moverton99 OP
30 posts
 

So, I have this now:

  • Totem Wind left right
  • Energy Center and Surround
  • Yamaha RX-A@A receiver
  • Hegel H190 from yamaha preouts for mains

Music uses just the Hegel and Totems with airplay as a source for now. Will be adding Tidal or Qubuz at some point.

It took 6 hours for me to rewire, setup receiver, amp, etc. Lots of little menu’s and frustrations but mostly done.

It sounds terrific although my room has a lot of reflective glass and stone.

Some frustrations:

  • Yamaha only allows the sub cutoff down to 40hz. The totem can handle down to 24hz. I don’t use the sub for music anyway (Yamaha is out of the picture for music) so not terrible. Just wonder why Yamaha would assume no one has speakers than handle less than 40hz.
  • I think I am not getting the full low frequency to the Totems when playing music. I need to investigate that.
  • Hegel has an auto-shutdown, but does not turn on automatically. No trigger input either. So I just leave it on with display off.
  • Yamaha has a calibration mike but the cord is not long enough to reach the room with the speakers so I can’t use it, I have not fully setup the surround levels and distances yet. Sounds fine for tv/movies so far but should be adjusted.
  • I'm surprised the Hegel doesn't have a sub low level output.  Not sure I need it with the Totems but seems odd.

 

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