Setup question

@reubent ..The HK is an AVR 125. As far as I can tell, no pre outs for L&R channel. The NAD is integrated. The model is NAD 3225. The NAD has a built in phono pre-amp for sure. And thank you for taking the time to check this out.

@bradf ..Thank you for the help..I'll start experimenting :)

@mesch It's a Rotel..I fogot the model. The cartridge is an Ortofon Red.

@mesch ...meaning, switching between using the HK for 5.1 and the NAD for phono

@mesch No offense taken..that was pretty much the root of my question. On a technical basis, switching the towers between the NAD and the HK, would you use banana plugs and plug them into the system being used at the time, or use a switch? Some people were saying to avoid a switch.

@mesch Gotcha-i thought you were saying to avoid the AVR for phono..ultimately, the AVR is becoming a pain in my ass anyway.  My TV and xbox only have optical outs and the optical in on the AVR doesnt recognize the signal.  Ive played with all the settings and reset the receiver.. It only accepts the signal from the cable box.. So that coupled with the fact that its the weakest link in the setup has me thinking i should be looking into a new AV receicer in the 7.1 or atmos line. 

@reubent Thank you for the advice. I think I'm going to try that and see how it goes for a little while..It's not a big room anyway. A 7.1 or Atmos system would take up more room than the furniture so 2 channel might be the best way.

@mesch The reason using optical from the cable box is a big deal is that I run Plex more than I ever watch cable..and the cable box doesn't have apps, or specifically the Plex app. I'll play around with different configurations. Dialogue in movies gets muddled for my at times and I often have to turn up the volume on the TV to hear it. I bought my Dad a soundbar that he retired in about 3 days so that's available for use as well. It's an LG with a wireless sub, nothing special.

As far as the PCM output is concerned, I'm fairly new to optical but I thought I had tried all output settings from both Xbox and TV. But now that I know PCM is the specific setting to use, I'll try again.

It's a pretty small room. Something like 14 x 14. The house is a small bungalow so HUGE sound isn't required, but it would be nice to have more clarity as well as sort of "feel" the action in those types of movies.

@mesch yeah-i took the ht receiver out foe now and im running only phono and cd from the nad.  It sounds fantastic.  If i were to use the NAD exclusively, is there a good way to convert optical to rca? I feel like the $20 adapter on amazon is a bad call waiting to happen. 

@cerrot sorry..wasn't sure what you meant with your response. Which solution would you go with for HT/TV Audio to achieve that.

@mesch thank you again for the help..and everybody else as well. The cable box actually has optical and rca out so that's not an issue. I'm more concerned with either/both the optical out from the TV for the apps or the optical out from my Xbox for the same reason.

@mesch dual rca analog (its a uverse box if youre familiar)

@mesch i just ordered the dac a couple hours ago.. Cant wait to get it set up.. The speakers are Ok.. I found a local listing for psb stratus minis for 175..which is significantly less than any other pricing ive seen.  The same seller has stratus gold for 550..which is also a gokd price but would stretch my budget with the holidays here.  But after listening to my office setup (mcintosh ma5100, mcs turntable, ortofon red, psb image 5t) im certain i want psb again.. Its perfect presentation for my hearing 

@mesch  That's a great idea..I may have to start doing that as well to really learn what's out there. I'm blessed to have two extremely good vintage audio stores within 30 minutes of my house as well. It's made this whole mission significantly easier.

I originally only did 2 channel and I felt it lacked a bit in the bass..so I turned up the bass on the receiver and tried to get settings where I wanted them (for the record I favor brightness overall so go figure) but couldn't get what I wanted so I added a small powered sub. I don't have it turned up very much. In fact, I kept checking to make sure it was on because the level I had it at made it faint..but it added the exact amount of bass I was looking for on my records. I can just turn up the level when I watch a movie I suppose. But when I get the PSB's, I'll try two channel first..I can always have the sub plugged in and leave it off until I put on a movie.

Thanks @mesch ...the advice is very much appreciated. I'll update you once the psb's are hooked up but so far so good.

@cerrot Do you use center channel for music too?