Using Oppo 205 instead of per amp processor

Might add that the HT is in the basement, my Music is a separate system upstairs. Mac Mini/Audioquest USB/DacMagic plus/Quad 34 pre/Quad 405 amp/B&W CM6S2 book shelf speakers. With Oracle Alexandria turntable. I have recapped the QUAD 405 and added dual PSU. I enjoy the sound very much and really not looking to spend any more money here, other than possible room acoustic panels.

One of the other reasons for Oppo was it is Roon ready and I have a wired ethernet connection to it. So should I go Roon on my Mac Mini and thus can play my music easily on either system. My music library consists of newly rippled CD's (AIFF) and some high res files I obtained from other sources. Anyone have much experience with Roon?

roy1919,

     You have some very specific requirements that I would recommend a good local a/v installer would be best able to solve for you.  Sorry, I don't have better answers for your particular situation.  

Tim

Noble, I have been considering a setup similar to yours, but was concerned about the difference in the Oppo’s outputs on XLR vs RCA. Doesn’t that create a mismatch? My plan due to limited funds right now is to use the 205 as the pre. The old AVR I have has 7.1 audio inputs so I can use that as the ‘multichannel amp’ for H/T, and my existing Odyssey amp for the mains. My only sources are CD, streaming, and DirecTV. I’ve never used XLR, but my local dealer says the Odyssey would be ideal to use them, but I didn’t know how the balance would work with the RCA into the AVR.

thanks 

Hi english210,

I don’t have any issues using the XLR cables for the stereo/l+r mains and the unbalanced rca for the surround outputs. I doubt you will either.
By ear, I can tell the XLR seem to have a slightly higher gain than the rca so the XLR sounds slightly louder.but not dramatically louder.
Even if the XLR does sound significantly louder to you, the audio configuration section of the Set Up menu allows you to adjust the relative volume levels of both the stereo/l+r mains and all of the surround channels to match the output volumes either by ear or with the assistance of a sound level meter.
So, you can relax. You should have no issues with mismatches using the XLR outputs to your Odyssey amp and rca outputs to your AVR.

Tim. 

If I were to get a used 105D, would it work in this configuration --

HDMI from PC to Oppo for future 4K passthrough (I don't have a 4K projector yet) and 7.1 audio decoding
USB from PC to Oppo for higher resolution stereo audio (advantage?)
HDMI out to my Benq W1070 projector
XLR out to my Levinson 333 dual mono amp/B&W N801 speakers
RCA outs for side and rear speakers through a 4-channel amp I have lying around.  I have a pair of CDM2 Signatures and I could easily get another pair.
RCA out to an old sub I have "lying around." (might just make my awesome bass muddy but I'd like to try it)
Can I use it without a center channel speaker?  I'd hate to have to try to get a good enough amp/center channel speaker to match the quality of what I have, but I'm really interested in experimenting with surround.  I guess I could get a Nautilus HTM2 used for around $600 and ponder what to do about a good amplifier for it.

I just bought a PS Audio Stellar Gain Cell DAC and I like it, but now I'm wondering if I should have gotten a 7.1 system instead.  If the 2-channel implementation in this is really good, it has balanced outputs, and I gain the ability to play Bluray discs directly.  It seems like this might be a better choice.  I can still return the GCD if I decided this was better.

To be perfectly fair, I watch more TV than I listen to music.  And although 2-channel of this caliber is pretty awesome for watching television, I wonder what I am missing in side and rear speakers.

I'm afraid that it would just be one big coherence nightmare and sound terrible.  I've been looking for an inexpensive way to experiment and haven't found one.