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Combining 2 channel audio and home theatre

Hi, i'm trying to find out ways to maximise audio quality from my system. So basically i'm running a 5.1 system connected to my Denon AVR. Even though i'm pretty satisfied with the overall movie experience, i'm still trying to find out if there's anything i could do to bring out the most out of my system within my budget to improve the quality of 2 channel music experience. All my sources are digital (TV, TIDAL via Nvidia Shield) and i have to do it in the same room.

My setup:
Triangle Borea BRO3 for my front left and right. ( 100W, 90db sensitivity )
Denon X3700
I've set it all up in my bedroom, pretty small space. (Roughly 2.5 m distance from the speakers.)


Alright, so here's a few things i'm considering .

1. Getting a separate Power Amp: Since these AVR's power ratings are not so reliable and i've read from several sources that it's good to separate the amplifying and pre processing to get a clean signal.If i do this i'll still have my Denon as a Preamp and i'm not sure if it'll have any impact for Music. If i do, how much of improvement will i get in terms of audio quality (Not loudness as my listening space is pretty small) and is it worth the extra expense?

2. Getting an Integrated Stereo AMP: Okay so this is a bit tricky for me. Since my music source is only TIDAL via NVidia Shield connected Straight to Denon, is there anyway to practically make both my AVR(For movies) and Stereo AMP(For Music) work together? I understand that i have to connect using the Preout from AVR to Stereo AMP, but it will basically make the Integrated Stereo AMP work like a regular Amplifier right? As in, the audio pre processing will still be done by my AVR since my music source is connected to the AVR. I wanna keep all my sources connected to the AVR and fully make use of the Stereo AMP(both it's preprocessing and amplifier) when listening to music, as well as switch to 5.1 while watching movies. is that possible? Even if it is possible, will it bring a big difference to the audio quality?

Among these 2 options, which is the best way to go? Or is there any other ways to get an even better result? My budget is around 700$ .


I have been trying to find this info everywhere to integrate hifi stereo with a 5.1 setup and all i could get is by connecting the audio source, ex Turn table, directly to the stereo amp and making the connection to AVR via Preout. I wanna keep my AVR as the main hub and listen to music via TIDAL. I'm pretty new to this and It'll be really helpful if you guys could help me out!

FYI, i don't wanna change any of the equipments i'm using as i just got them recently. I'm very satisfied with my Denon for movies and the sound signature i get from my Triangle BRO3's are really good too, it's just i wanna know if i'm missing out on anything to bring out the full potential of these speakers.

ananthvm11
ananthvm11 OP
2 posts
 
Thanks for the reply! 
Built in streamer as in like, the ones with spotify streaming from the phone? What are the available options out there? 

But even if i go that way, it'll be a wireless streaming and reduce the audio quality right? Anyway i. could play the master audio's from Tidal? 
ananthvm11 OP
2 posts
 
@audiotroy Okay i've found a few Integrated Amp's with built in streamer that supports tidal. Thanks for the suggestion! i'll definitely consider this. 

But how about my first step? if i just connect a 2 channel Power Amp to my AVR, will it have a noticeable good difference in the audio quality? Since, through this method, i’ll be giving a good quality dedicated power amp to power my L/R rather than the low grade ones from my AVR. Basically, through this method i’ll be turning my AVR into a pre amp. I'm just confused that if the pre amp function in Denon AVR is good enough and match that of an Integrated stereo amp? 

and one more question, adding an integrated amp or a Power amp brings major difference in the audio quality? that leads to my previous question, is the preamp function in an AVR as good as the ones from an Integrated stereo amp. 

Sorry for asking too much questions, I'm pretty new to this. 
luxmancl38
580 posts
 
Not sure of your budget but my dealer carries the Gato DIA-250 S integrated. Excellent DAC's w/digital inputs. 250wpc 8 ohms and 500 wpc into 4 ohms.. Has HT passthrough. $3500.
elliottbnewcombjr
5,333 posts
 
That is a very capable AVR, perhaps others are not looking it up

https://usa.denon.com/en-us/shop/receivers/avrx3700h#divSubscribe

As for a dedicated amp(s), separates being better, come on, in a dedicated listening system, in a bigger space, bigger home theater, yes, but that darn good AVR in your space is plenty good enough IMO.

Considering both 5.1 and 2 channel (I do a heck of a lot of this, every day, for many years, using my Sony AVR, blu-ray; cable; youTube; netflix; amazon prime; hulu; viki; music shows Voice/X Factor/Songland/ occasionally streaming Pandora while doing something else ... Sound of my small Home Theater is very important. Both 5.1 and 2 channel. I also have dedicated 2 channel system elsewhere, that's dedicated separates.

You need to improve the speakers, add center, rear surround, and self-powered sub.

Your speakers are efficient, however they dip down to 4 and occasionally 2 ohms, which can be difficult for some amps.

IF you have enough volume, and no obvious distortion, and no weirdness from the AVR, then the Denon is dealing with the 4/2 ohm load.

A. add a center channel speaker (definitely needed for 5.1, off for 2 channel).

Any surround coding records/separates designated sounds for the center channel output. Those sounds DO NOT exist in front l/r, thus a center channel speaker is imperative. I love this very compact Bose center, easy to locate just below the image

https://www.ebay.com/i/233696110070?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&am...

B. Add small rear surround speakers. In a small room, I have used small speakers on their backs, shooting up, using the space between the back of the sofa and wall behind like a horn. There's no real bass, small ones decent efficiency will do. Again, any surround mode, these frequencies/sounds DO NOT exist in the front, center, or sub channels.

C. add a self powered sub to your nice but small bass limited front l/r speakers. And hook the sub up so that it is still working in 2 channel mode which can be tricky.

Self-Powered Sub will accomplish 3 things:

1. take the low bass signals away from the amp, the self powered sub will amplify those frequencies (adjustable crossover needed somewhere, typically in the sub)

2. take the low bass requirement away from the front l/r speakers, so they don't distort trying to make low bass.

3. Their mids and highs will sound terrific when not in a self-made cloud of not so great low bass.

Surprisingly, MUCH Video sounds better in 2 channel mode, even though the cable box/AVR chooses to use a surround mode. Learn how to go from dolby 5.1 to 2 channel to compare, stay there or back to dolby 5.1

IF it was a bigger room, I would either change your main speakers, or add a stereo pair of front firing directional self powered subs, to preserve bass directionality, especially 2 channel.




imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,180 posts
 
if i just connect a 2 channel Power Amp to my AVR, will it have a noticeable good difference in the audio quality?
A high quality integrated amp with HT bypass or power amp definitely will be an improvement, but for the budget of $700, I doubt you can find one with noticeable good difference in the audio quality.

Your Triangle BRO3 is not that hard to drive, for two channel playback, the Denon AVR should be able to do the job well. My suggestion is spend your money on room treatment or add a 2nd subwoofer to improve bass response.
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