any avr unit sounds like crap for 2 channel audio. There are some very good integrated amps out there too, some integrated amps have built in dacs/phono preamps/streaming services built in. If you want to save money, get an integrated amp. If you want the best sound for each component, go with separates. No built in dac in an integrated amp will sound anywhere close to a separate dac, not even from the same vendor. Same goes for phono preamp, the preamp itself, and the amp. An integrated amp is a compromise of components. I have owned many integrated amps for the last 20+ years and always go back to separates for the best sound. It will cost more money so you have to determine if its worth it.
$7000 preamp vs $700 receiver - Is the difference THAT significant?
Current setup:
Marantz SR5005 (AV Receiver) + Peachtree Amp 500 + BluSound Node 2i + GoldenEar Trition 2+ = Current Setup
I'd like... no, want... no, desire... to add "Blue Meters" to my setup. McIntosh haunts me. For dozens of years.
My quandary:
Acquire a McIntosh C52/53, maybe C2600/2700... vs something like a Marantz AV7705 (or AV7706 appears it was just released). Yes I know I'm comparing brie cheese and cheddar. I'm more concerned with the notion that I can get "as good" sound out of that Marantz preamp, as I can from those McIntosh units... (ignore the multi-channel notions for the moment)
Is my sonic happiness "that much better served" by a McIntosh $7K unit vs a Marantz $2-3K unit? How much difference can I expect?
Marantz SR5005 (AV Receiver) + Peachtree Amp 500 + BluSound Node 2i + GoldenEar Trition 2+ = Current Setup
I'd like... no, want... no, desire... to add "Blue Meters" to my setup. McIntosh haunts me. For dozens of years.
My quandary:
Acquire a McIntosh C52/53, maybe C2600/2700... vs something like a Marantz AV7705 (or AV7706 appears it was just released). Yes I know I'm comparing brie cheese and cheddar. I'm more concerned with the notion that I can get "as good" sound out of that Marantz preamp, as I can from those McIntosh units... (ignore the multi-channel notions for the moment)
Is my sonic happiness "that much better served" by a McIntosh $7K unit vs a Marantz $2-3K unit? How much difference can I expect?
- ...
- 55 posts total
p05129136 posts10-23-2020 10:14pm"any avr unit sounds like crap for 2 channel audio.". Not all. My Classe SSP-800 has an analog pass through which does not apply its DAC to the 2 channel analog signal. So the signal remains unprocessed straight through to my Jeff Rowland amps. |
scottscottsdale16 posts10-23-2020 10:29pm"I
have the same question. I currently stream Tidal from Apple TV into an
AVR via HDMI using pre-out into PS Audio S300. I understand that the
DAC in the AVR let’s the side down. But wouldn’t using the DAC in the
Bluesound eliminate that trouble. " Does your AVR have a good DAC? Better than the Bluesound? If so, does your DAC accept SPDIF connection into a digital input? I ask because I used to use the same hook up as you. TIDAL through a Chromecast in HDMI port. But now I use my Android w/ UAPP and an OTG cable to a USB to SPDIF converter(Nobsound) and use a Straight Wire 75 ohm digital cable to connect it to my digital SPDIF input. My Classe's DAC supports 24/192 and I can get the first MQA unfolding(don't want/need the second unfolding) because I bought a Bit Perfect add on app through UAPP. A VERY inexpensive way to get TIDAL MQA. . |
- 55 posts total