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Help ref Oppo 105 with Marantz AV7005 set up

Hi. Really new to audio and would like some simple advice. Currently I have the following set up

Oppo 105
Marantz AV 7005
Rotel RMB 1075
Monitor Audio RX6
monitor audio radius 225 center
Linn 5110 gor rear speakers

Current problem i have connected Marantz to the Oppo 105 using 5.1 rca cables and HDMI cable and although sounds great am not utilizing DAC in Oppo 105. Is the sound i am generating the same as I would have with an Oppo 103?

Problem I have is both Oppo and Marantz have balanced inputs only. I purchased cable and realized mistake I had made as no balanced inputs.

Question is (1) With my current set up can I utilize the DAC? If dont use balanced input what can i do? Can i go another route? Obviously want to get best sound possible.
Can i get my Marantz updated to include balanced inputs instead of having to sell my existing av receiver?
(2) Do i need to change my Marantz AV receiver? What do you recommend but it has to handle both movie and for music. However a used Marantz AV 8801 has balanced inputs but cost used over $2000. Would it not sound better with spending money on better speakers. If so any recommendations for a suitable AV receiver?

My room is 15 by 15, wood floors. Use system a lot for streaming, 60% music and 40% movies.

Thanks in advance
morty74
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
I guess it all depends on what you normally listen to and how you listen.

What - do you listen to a lot of surround music or just surround movies, or stereo music

How - do you use Pure Direct mode or do you engage Audyssey EQ?

If you engage any bass management or Audyssey, you are digitising the Oppo's analog output and then performing DSP on the signal, before using the Marantz's DAC anyway.

A. If you use the system for surround movies and stereo music primarily, here's what I'd recommend:

Stereo preamp with XLR inputs for stereo listening. Oppo's XLR stereo outputs are hooked directly to the stereo preamp. The Marantz's stereo pre out goes to the preamp's HT bypass input.

The AV8801 is a decent preamp but it won't IMHO outperform a reasonably good stereo preamp like my old Bel Canto Pre3.

For movies, use HDMI from the Oppo and engage Audyssey's room EQ.
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dbphd
1,628 posts
 
If you have connected both 5.1 RCA and HDMI outputs from the 105 to the 7005, both are active and either should be selectable by switching among the 7005 inputs. When you select the 5.1 RCA inputs, you are using the DACs in the 105; when you select the HDMI input, you are using the DACs of the 7005. There is no advantage to using balanced cables unless the 105 is a very long distance from the 7005. Consult the 105 manual about using the stereo outputs for the front LR channels of 5.1 so you take advantage of the superior DACs.

You should be able to compare the sound with the 105 DACs to that with the 7005 DACs just by switching among the 7005 inputs. Be aware that there is a bug in the speaker distance settings of the 105, so it's easiest to start by setting all the distances to 0. A fix is said to be on its way soon, and if you have the 105 connected to the internet as it should be and you set the menu to update firmware, you'll get a notice when new firmware is available.

Finally, if you don't have analog sources, you might consider using the 105 direct to your amps and selling the 7005. At least you should try bypassing the 7005. The 105 can provide speaker configuration, bass management, and fine volume control.

db
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
IME, there is definitely a reason to use the 105's balanced outputs even for short runs. At least in my system. The balanced outputs provide much higher gain and keep the gain level in the same ballpark as when playing other sources (vinyl, open reel tape in my case). Using the unbalanced (RCA) outputs requires setting the volume level on my Aesthetix Calypso linestage much higher. Yes, I could run the 105 directly to my power amps but the sonic improvement using the Calypso is not subtle. I have the Modwright version of the 105 but the same thing happened before I got it modded.
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dbphd
1,628 posts
 
According to Oppo there is no sonic difference between the single ended (RCA) and balanced (XLR) outputs except for the level of the XLR being 3 dB higher. If that 3 dB is important for the following equipment, there is no reason not to use XLR if connections are compatible. If Dopoque is using analog from the 105 to the line stage, then the line stage must be coloring the sound in a way he prefers; if he is using a digital connection, then he must prefer the analog processing of his line stage to that of the 105.

Morty74 might want to connect the output of his cable, satellite, or TV to the HDMI input on the rear of the 105 so that source can benefit from the superior DACs of the 105, and use the input selection button on the 105 remote.

db
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
Oh, yes, I much preferred colored sound to the bleached, threadbare "transparency" I get from going direct or via a passive linestage.
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