Recommended receiver for HT

Hello dbphd,

     You're back, I missed you.  I'd like to know more about roughly how much time you spend listening to music as compared to watching/listening to HT (cable tv, blu-rays, music dvds, etc.).

     I believe I need to know the answers to a few questions before I can offer any useful advice.  If you don't mind, here they are:

1. Percentage of total time you spend watching/listening to HT?

2. Percentage of total time listening to music?

3.  Is there any way you'd be okay with using the KEF Ref.1s for music and HT?

4.  Would you rather have optimum bass performance on music or HT?

5.  Are you set on having two separate systems, one for music and one for HT?

6.  If you want two separate systems, does this mean you're okay with moving and switching out the Ref 1s with the LS50s as the front speakers whenever you want to switch which system you want to use,music to HT and vice versa?
 
Thanks,
   Tim

Since you're using the Oppo as a source, I'd recommend looking into getting that modded.  For something like $500 to $800 you can transform an already good player to a much higher level.  Someone like Ric Schultz at www.tweakaudio.com gets consistently glowing reviews for the results he gets from his Oppo mods, if he's still modding the 205.  But there are other good mods out there although I'd hurry because they're likely fading fast with the demise of Oppo.  For the relatively low cost outlay and considerable improvements to be had I think this is a no brainer.  Just a thought, and congrats on building a nice HT setup. 

Tim,

1 Probably about 5 hours a day for HT
2 About 3 hours a day for music
3. If there were a good way to switch amps I’d like to use the KEF Ref 1s for both music and HT, because re your item 6 the Refs 1s are given preference and the LS50s are in less than an ideal location
4 Optimum bass for HT; the adequacy of bass from the Ref 1s has surprised me
5 Vastly different energy efficiency: about 400 watts for music, 50 for HT excluding the projector
6 See 3 above

db

Hello dbphd,

     Okay, I think we've got your best configuration figured out for both ease of use and sound quality if you agree to go with these two setup modifications:

1.  Utilize your Ayre amp for both music and HT and remove the NAD amp.  Your Ayre VX-5 amp has XLR and RCA inputs. The Oppo205 has both outputs for the L+R stereo/ L+R front mains and your Ayre preamp has both outputs. Both can be connected and, since you're only going to send signals from one or the other at a time, the amp will just amplify whichever inputs are active-like an automatic switch. 

     You just need to decide whether you'd rather use the xlr connections on your preamp and amp for music and the rca connections on the Oppo 205 and amp for HT, or vice versa.  There's no switch to flip on the Ayre amp for selecting whether you're choosing to use the xlr or rca inputs, correct?

2.   Utilize the KEF Ref 1s for both music and HT and remove the LS50s from HT duty.  This certainly won't reduce the sound quality for HT and very well might improve it

     You just need to position the Ref 1s for optimum positioning at your listening seat for music performance and this positioning should still work well for HT listening, too.  
     I know you don't think you need the four subs for music playback with the Ref 1s.  But I think you'll be pleasantly surprised how exceptionally well a properly positioned and configured 4-sub DBA system reproduces bass in any given room and how well the bass seamlessly integrates with any pair of main speakers used.  
    The bass will not only sound more impactful and dynamic but more detailed and smoother, too.  You'll also notice the increased bass detail and seamless integration with your Ref 1s will provide an impressive depiction of the music venue on good recordings. 
     Isn't this what I was relating to you on my initial posts on this thread?  If it wasn't, it should have been and I think it'd really be a shame if you missed out on what I believe is near state of the art bass performance by not even giving the DBA concept a try.  You can thank me 
     Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks,
  Tim
  

Tim,

What you describe is pretty much my previous setup with Parasound JC 2 BP preamp, JC 1 monoblocks, and KEF Ref 107/2s. It would be even easier to implement than you suggest. Simply take the balanced LR output from the Oppo 205 to the Ayre preamp rather than to the NAD M22, and select it for HT. That would use the Ayre preamp, amp, and Ref 1s for front HT. RCA surrounds from the Oppo would go to the NAD C 268s driving LS50s for side and rear surrounds. The Oppo would manage the subs along with the SMS-1s for acoustic room correction. Although I’ve been happy with the sound for HT, I’ll try the Ayre/Ref 1 setup, because it’s so easy to do.

I have no aversion to using 4 subs. I just haven’t hauled the HGS-15s to LA yet. I’m 83 and the subs are too heavy for me to lift so I need to have them taken downstairs, put into the back of our MB wagon, then trek down PCH to LA.

The Ayre amp does have balanced/unbalanced input switches.

Switching between the Ayre and NAD amps to drive the Ref 1s is complicated, because both the Ayre and Ref 1s support pairs of lugs for biwiring whereas the NAD does not.

db