Recommended receiver for HT

Tim,

I prefer db.

The Audioengine 2+ worked out well for TV, so the system for music will remain Ayre preamp and amp to KEF Ref 1s, sourced by the Ayre digital hub or Ayre disc player.  This system will be supplemented by the Bryston SP-3 for distributing surround channels to a pair of Class D NAD amps that drive KEF LS50s side and rear speakers.  Output from the Ayre preamp goes to the master SMS-1 that's daisy-chained to a slave SMS-1.

I'm currently using Cox TV through the Oppo 205 to the Audioengine, but tomorrow I'll try Cox TV directly to the AE.  I plan to use the Oppo 205 in another setup.

db

Cox TV direct to the Audioengine 2+ failed because the AE remote didn't control volume, so the AE will be Zone 2 from the Bryston SP3, making it easy to switch from the main setup up to an energy efficient TV only setup.  

The SP3 has no role for stereo, which is strait Ayre, but for surround the source passes through the SP3 via HDMI and from the SP3 to a by-pass input of the Ayre preamp via balanced analog.  It took a lot of churning with help from folks on this thread, especially Tim. but I think I've achieved a system that does everything I want.

db

Hello DB,

     Excellent!  I'm glad we arrived at a system solution you like.
    I'm anxious to find out your impressions of your 4-sub DBA system on music and HT once you have all your subs back from repair and setup.

     If you need help with that portion, just send me a personal message or post on this thread, I'll continue to monitor this thread until I read of your impressions on your soon to exist custom DBA system.

Enjoy,
Tim

Cox TV via Zone 2 from the Bryston SP3 to the Audioengine 2+ is the solution I sought for energy efficient TV.  It uses the volume control of the SP3 but completely circumvents the rest of the HT setup.  Unexpected is the ability to play the Cox music channels directly to the AE 2+, and the discovery that its sound is pretty damn good for music.  It won't fool you into thinking you're listening to the Ayre 5/20 series digital hub, preamp, amp and KEF Ref 1s, but then its MSRP is about $200 vs about $4K for the Ayre/KEF stuff -- of course that's without the SP3 that had an MSRP about $10K.

Glad I bought the Ayre gear and SP3 used, so MSRP didn't apply. 

db

Hello DB,

     Excellent!  Not just success but finely refined success.  Good job.
     Now, to lock up your winning the 'Montecito Green Man of the Year Award' , you just need to share your energy efficient TV watching method with your town neighbors.  
     My wife and I will try to make it out there for the award ceremony.

Later,
 Tim