Morning DB,
I want to respond to some of your recent comments and concerns on this post to consolidate the issues I believe we need to resolve so that you have a solid, thorough and clear plan for your combo music and HT system configuration in your new room that works conveniently, sounds extremely good and you approve of. I'll respond to your recently posted comments below and please let me know of any additional concerns you may have:
1. "Tim,
It occurred to me that in addition to connecting the balanced output from the Oppo to the Ayre preamp I could connect the single-ended output to the NAD M22. But then the Oppo can no longer trigger the NAD, because I don't want audio from both the Ref 1s and LS50s. That's an inconvenience but it would save energy when just watching TV -- the reason behind two setups."
I believe you're stating you'd prefer to use the NAD M22 amp when just watching TV to save energy. I've been reading a bit of your Ayre KX-5 preamp manual and it's very flexible in its configurability. I believe we could figure out a method to do this, however, I believe this would still require using two sets of front main speakers, the Ref 1s for music driven by your Ayre amp and the LS50s for HT driven by your NAD M22 amp.
If this is acceptable to you, having both the Ref1s and LS50s permanently positioned near each other at the front of your room, then I suspect we could design a good configuration that provides good sound quality and convenience for both music and HT.
If having both sets of main speakers positioned at the front of your room is not acceptable to you, then we need to figure out how to conveniently and safely use two amps on a single set of speakers, substitute the NAD M22 for the Ayre amp or think of a very innovative alternative solution that is safe, convenient and provides good sound quality on both music and HT.
2. "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."
Yes, I think we both agree this fails to meet the goal of a convenient music and HT system configuration solution so we should probably just eliminate this as a viable solution, unless we can figure out a safe and convenient method to use two different amps on a single set of speakers.
3. "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."
I'm glad you have no aversion to using 4 subs for music and HT because I'm almost certain you'll consider their use very beneficial on both once properly positioned and configured.
I've been thinking about the best method of having them transported from your room to the repair facility and back again to your room. I currently consider hiring and coordinating with a local moving company to do this as your best option. It'll cost a bit more but they'll be able to remove them directly from your room and eventually directly back to your room while you're only required to supervise and sip on a glass of delicious iced tea, sun brewed and garnished with a fresh lemon wedge, as they do both. Your only exertion will be lifting your glass.
Later,
Tim
I want to respond to some of your recent comments and concerns on this post to consolidate the issues I believe we need to resolve so that you have a solid, thorough and clear plan for your combo music and HT system configuration in your new room that works conveniently, sounds extremely good and you approve of. I'll respond to your recently posted comments below and please let me know of any additional concerns you may have:
1. "Tim,
It occurred to me that in addition to connecting the balanced output from the Oppo to the Ayre preamp I could connect the single-ended output to the NAD M22. But then the Oppo can no longer trigger the NAD, because I don't want audio from both the Ref 1s and LS50s. That's an inconvenience but it would save energy when just watching TV -- the reason behind two setups."
I believe you're stating you'd prefer to use the NAD M22 amp when just watching TV to save energy. I've been reading a bit of your Ayre KX-5 preamp manual and it's very flexible in its configurability. I believe we could figure out a method to do this, however, I believe this would still require using two sets of front main speakers, the Ref 1s for music driven by your Ayre amp and the LS50s for HT driven by your NAD M22 amp.
If this is acceptable to you, having both the Ref1s and LS50s permanently positioned near each other at the front of your room, then I suspect we could design a good configuration that provides good sound quality and convenience for both music and HT.
If having both sets of main speakers positioned at the front of your room is not acceptable to you, then we need to figure out how to conveniently and safely use two amps on a single set of speakers, substitute the NAD M22 for the Ayre amp or think of a very innovative alternative solution that is safe, convenient and provides good sound quality on both music and HT.
2. "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."
Yes, I think we both agree this fails to meet the goal of a convenient music and HT system configuration solution so we should probably just eliminate this as a viable solution, unless we can figure out a safe and convenient method to use two different amps on a single set of speakers.
3. "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."
I'm glad you have no aversion to using 4 subs for music and HT because I'm almost certain you'll consider their use very beneficial on both once properly positioned and configured.
I've been thinking about the best method of having them transported from your room to the repair facility and back again to your room. I currently consider hiring and coordinating with a local moving company to do this as your best option. It'll cost a bit more but they'll be able to remove them directly from your room and eventually directly back to your room while you're only required to supervise and sip on a glass of delicious iced tea, sun brewed and garnished with a fresh lemon wedge, as they do both. Your only exertion will be lifting your glass.
Later,
Tim