Need advice on media player and or dacs

Thanks so much!!

@sandrodg73 ,

- Receivers have terrible power amp sections

- Receivers combine the multiple power amp sections in the same chassis as the dac/preamp sections, etc (terrible idea).

The path to high fidelity in multichannel music is going with a no compromise separate preamp processor such as the Marantz AV10 (lot more expensive than your receiver) and separate power amps (Marantz amp 10). The poweramp should be separate. Ever wonder why this preamp processor+ power amp combo retails for 14k and the receiver is less than 2k? The above mentioned should give you a hint. HT is no big deal since the ear is not scrutinizing as it is with movies like it is for music. A receiver should be fine for movies.

You shouldn’t worry yourself with 2 channel DACs or streamers. If you use any of the Marantz’s features such as bass management, peq, etc, a purist DAC’s analog output will go through a ADC conversion inside your Marantz unit. Besides, your unit with all its features can beat the crap out of most of them in execution, if you can set it up right.

For now, you could use your receiver’s pre-outs to separate power amps and not use the receivers internal amps. You may be able to turn it into just a preamp processor by turning on a "preamp mode". Newer Denon models permit this...think your Marantz may as well since all these brands are "Sound United" these days. This would be the intermediary step to higher fidelity before you can get to true separates.

If at all possible do not combine a home theater and 2 channel system. It may seem cheaper, but it comprises so much. I would rather have a 2 channel system in a walk in closet, separate from a home theater. You can craft the sound… carefully place the equipment and generally do what you want.

There are very different sonic objectives between a home theatre and 2 channel system.

Fortunately over the last thirty years I have developed a home theater with my partner separate from my 2 channel. Now, they are both at exceptional levels of performance. We are old now, and if I had not done this separation, I would not be able listen to my 2 channel system for three hours a day at any volume I wish. So many advantages.

You shouldn’t worry yourself with 2 channel DACs or streamers. If you use any of the Marantz’s features such as bass management, peq, etc, a purist DAC’s analog output will go through a ADC conversion inside your Marantz unit. Besides, your unit with all its features can beat the crap out of most of them in execution, if you can set it up right.

@deep_333 Horse hockey! And +1 @ghdprentice This is a statement from someone who has no concept of a high-performance, 2-channel audio system and even less of a concept of the importance of a preamp in that chain. Nor does he have any idea of the importance of a good DAC and that it should NEVER be processed through an AVR or even an AVP. As evidence, I’ve never seen one high-end manufacturer use an audio/video processor or AVR in any audio showroom exhibit at any audio show EVER. Why do you think that is???

Thanks peeps. What pre amp would pair well with my paradigm founder 100f's and my anthem mca325 without breaking the bank. 2-3k range....?

And do i understand it correctly that a stereo preamp can have a bypass to isolate from my speakers from the avr, but when im watching movies i can switch my L/R channels back to my avr?