Recommended receiver for HT

DB,

      I just finished reading an Audio Beat review of the combination of your Ayre KX-5 Twenty preamp and VX-5 amp linked below:

www.theaudiobeat.com/equipment/ayre_kx5_twenty_vx5_twenty.htm

     It's such an extremely good review of your equipment's sound quality that, if you can verify you perceive even half of the positive comments of its sound quality described in this review, I believe you should and would likely be very hesitant in choosing to substitute the NAD M22 for your Ayre VX-5 amp.  The apparent positive and synergistic sound qualities attained through this combination of Ayre components seems unlikely to be matched by the combination of your Ayre KX-5 Twenty preamp with the NAD M22 class D amp. 
     I've never listened to a system with this combination of Ayre components and, of course, only your opinion on this matter is relevant anyway.  If you prefer utilizing the Ayre components and Ref 1s for both music and Ht due to sound quality advantages, however, I realize this eliminates the energy savings resulting from utilizing the very green class D NAD M22 amp for HT usage.
     Is consuming a bit more energy for the sake of improved sound quality on music and HT acceptable to you? Only you can determine whether being incessantly ridiculed and persecuted by your fellow SoCal residents for your perceived porcine-like consumption of energy, and your inevitable resulting ostracization along with all the typical egging and teepeeing of your house and property, is worth bearing for increased system performance.
     Please let me know if you want to eliminate the option of using your NAD M22 for powering your HT front mains.


Tim

Tim,

I use the Oppo 205 and M22 for watching TV, and the Ayre QX-5 digital hub, KX-5 preamp, and VX-5 amp for music.  I also have an Ayre DX-5 DSD disc player.  The source for music is mostly Roon to the QX-5 via ethernet.  I've decided to connect the Oppo balanced output to the Ayre preamp, unbalanced to the NAD M22 and C 268 amps, and disconnect the trigger from the Oppo to the M22 to make it easy to switch between the two setups for HT other than TV.  The  Oppo will connect to the Velodyne SMS-1s, so subs will be available HT.

Indeed the 5-Twenty series Ayre stuff has a special sound that makes music seem to just flow without electronic intervention.  Surprisingly the microRendu/Ayre Codex and A7e driving LS50s share a good deal of that Ayre magic 

I appreciate your help in guiding my thinking this through.  I've been involved with audio since the early '50s, but a poke always helps.

db

Correction:  The last sentence of the first paragraph should be the KX-5 will connect to the SMS-1s, not the Oppo.

Hello DB,

     No problem.  I can tell you know what you're doing, we all need a bit of assistance once in a while. 
     Lastly, I would just suggest you configure your system so that you can use your future 4-sub DBA system with either music or HT.  It really performs exceptionally well and, besides, you always have the option to turn it off if you'd prefer.
     I'll continue to monitor this thread and I hope you post occasionally to update your progress, request assistance if you have any snags or questions and describe your final impressions of how it all performs.  You can also send me a pm if you prefer.
     And please don't try to move those big subs on your own, just hire a local mover.


Best wishes,
    Tim

Tim,

By connecting the Ayre KX-5 to the Velodyne SMS-1 the subs will be available for either music or HT.  The NAD M22 will be used with a pair of LS50s for watching Cox TV.  Side and rear surround will be available for either music or HT with a pair of NAD C 268s driving 4 LS50s.

db