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Help with processor decision

I've been using a Denon 3808 receiver as my processor ever since I purchased a Parasound A52 last year to power my system (B W 804d LR, htm62 center, M-1 LR surround, with b w 600 sub). I purchased an Oppo-105 a while back for the better video processing, DAC and multichannel out (for SACDs). I'm about 70% music, 30% ht/TV. I have started listening to a lot of vinyl recently, so I do need a more musical processor (and I don't really have room on my rack for a two channel preamp). I run a lot of music (usb) and video (hdmi) from my Mac mini server through the Oppo as well. I'm torn between the following processors:
-Parasound p7 (would lose the hdmi switching, but could use the Oppo)
-Marantz 8801
-Yamaha A5000
I currently use Audessey XT room correction with my 3808. My room is 14 w x 18 l x 9-10 h sloping ceiling with the LR speakers on the short wall, and it is untreated with suspended hardwood floors. I am a little indifferent regarding room correction, but given my room I think it's been helpful for HT. Between my cable box and a possible xbox purchase, I may need more hdmi switching than the Oppo provides...
Any advice would be greatly appreciated since I plan to follow-through with a purchase THIS WEEK!
P.S. This will probably be the first of several upgrades in the near future (adding 2 surrounds to get 7.1, adding more powerful amps for my LR, upgrading center and sub).
bebopmecha5

Showing 6 responses by dbphd

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dbphd
1,632 posts
 
You might replace the Denon receiver in your rack with a two channel preamp connected to your amp. You'd connect stereo from your Oppo 105 to the preamp, surround directly to the amps, SW directly to the sub. Using an SPL meter and the internal noise generator of the 105 (or a test disc) mark the volume control of the preamp where the levels of stereo, surround, and sub match (after trimming the outputs of the 105 channels to be equal). When the Oppo is the source, it controls he volume, otherwise the preamp controls the volume. The amp can sit between the main speakers for short leads.

That's the setup I use with my Oppo 105, Parasound JC-2 analog preamp, and Proceed HPA amps. A Sony XA5400ES and JC-3 phono stage share the preamp with the Oppo. The Oppo does most of the functions of a processor as well as surround sound and video. The result is very high quality sound from each source with high quality video from the Blu-ray and DirecTV HD-DVR. I use Velodyne SMS-1s for acoustic room correction for the HGS-15 subs.

db
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dbphd
1,632 posts
 
Try the inexpensive Radio Shack SPL meter. It comes with simple instructions and is totally adequate for the job. I assume you use the excellent analog output of the Oppo 105, because that's what distinguishes it from a 103. Many posters on the Oppo 105 owners' thread at AVS would argue that a direct connection to the amps will be superior than through any of the processors you are considering. The analog processing of the 105 really is good, so even if you use a Marantz 8801 you might want to go around it for stereo.

db
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dbphd
1,632 posts
 
Bebop, you don't need to use XLR to use the Oppo DACs. Consult the manual about optimizing stereo. At the bottom of the Audio Processing menu set Stereo Signal to Front Left/Right. Use the LR stereo outputs, either XLR or SE, and take the surround outputs to an amp or your processor. I suggest you visit the Oppo 105 owners' thread at AVS. I doubt the 8801 DACs are superior, but you may prefer acoustic room correction, and that would suggest HDMI-2 from the Oppo to the 8801.

db
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dbphd
1,632 posts
 
Jdub,

Three? Analog from the Oppo direct to the amp and HDMI-2 from the Oppo to the 8801 would seem sufficient. I hope you don't take analog from the Oppo to the 8801 and digitize it again. Or do you take analog from the Oppo to an 8801 passthrough, and if so, what's the point given the 8801 can't process a signal if it doesn't digitize it? The Oppo has ample output level to drive the amp and has a fine volume control.

db
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dbphd
1,632 posts
 
Jdub39,

I obviously don't understand what you're try to achieve. I'm pretty confident you don't need to use XLR unless the Oppo is distant from the 8801 and that the 8801 should not digitize analog from the Oppo. According to Oppo, there is no sonic-quality reason for using their XLR rather than RCA (SE).

I can envision three links:
1. XLR from Oppo to amp (analog stereo)
2. 7.1 from Oppo to 8801 pass-through using front LR RCA (analog)
3. HDMI-2 from Oppo to 8801 (digital)

If you want the Oppo to do the processing, use link 1 or 2; if you want the 8801 to do the processing, use link 3. If you really think the 8801 analog processing is the equal of the Oppo, then the simple single cable link 3 is the obvious choice, and it provides acoustic room correction for everything.

db
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dbphd
1,632 posts
 
Jdub39,

Perhaps it's the writing style: "l also use the 7.1 analog rca inputs but only the fR/FL but very very seldom as I prefer the sound of the XLR connection (regardless of what Oppo says)And lastly I use hdmi for all multi/ch material movies & sacd. I still don't understand what your aim is, nor is it important that I do. Let's leave it at that. If you're happy with your setup, that's what counts.

db
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