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Advice on upgrade of a 2.1 audio setup

I have a system that I’m using both for HT and 2.1 audio. Currently I use a low end receiver (yama HTR-5860). I would like to upgrade my 2.1 path. I don’t care about audio quality for HT/5.1 and I will continue to use the receiver for this.

My speakers are Onix Ref 1 monitors and ACI Force XL subwoofer. I want to stay with these for now. My source is a stock Squeezebox3 streaming FLAC files.

I listen to all kinds of music, but primarily alternative rock, jazz, punk, rock. I like female vocals (e.g. Stina Nordenstam, Patti Smith, Nico, Feist). I listen at moderate volumes but in a large, open room.

I know that I’m missing a lot with my receiver, but in particular I’m looking for two improvements: less fatiguing, easier to listen sound and more clarity, especially for “larger” compositions.

The budget is about $1000 for used equipment. I’m considering are 2 ch amp (SS only - I will use it for HT as well), preamp and a DAC. I know about SB3 mods but I don’t want to go this route.

Which component should I upgrade? Whole budget on amp and continue to use receiver as pre-pro? Divide budget between power amp and preamp and use analog out from SB3? Divide budget between amp, preamp and DAC? I have been reading about tube preamp with a SS amp and I’m very interested in this idea. Is this advisable at this budget? If not, what budget would be required to get the benefits?

Some amps I’m considering: Mccormack DNA 0.5 or 1, Odyssey Stratos, CI D-100, Bel Canto, Parasound, Ps audio HCA-2. I don’t know about preamps yet (I think I need HT bypass and second output to feed my Force XL) or DACs.

Thanks,
Adam
sapek
elevick
2,636 posts
 
Sorry to be slow. If you are sticking with 2.1, it's really hard to call that theater. In my opinion, you really need an equal quality center channel speaker with a matching amp to your L&R speakers to get any quality listening. You will never get a good balance across the soundstage and will be adding extra electronics to the signal path.
I would push you to scrap the receiver and just go with a nice pre/pro and amp. With a good pre/pro you can add amps and speakers as you go. Something like and Anthem or Sunfire will have great DACs, nice bass control and will rival most 2 channel rigs while producing great theater results.
sapek OP
10 posts
 
Elevick, I appreciate your advice. I'm going to try a dedicated 2ch preamp (it is already on its way), but I can see that I might eventually get to a setup with a good pre/pro instead. My HT is 4.1 (phantom center) so I don't worry about center integration. However I'm wondering about bass management/subwoofer; it is definitely easier with a pre/pro. The reason I've been resisting investing in a good pre/pro is that HT technology is such a moving target (new HD DTS/Dolby formats, HDMI, etc.). It is easier to swallow the frequent updates at the lower end (i.e. a receiver) than a pre/pro that is good enough to also serve as a quality 2ch.
elevick
2,636 posts
 
Just from experience, my Sherbourn and Anthem pre/pro/tuners simply blow away my Classe pre. For 2 channel, my modded Music Hall is still my main piece with many SET amps...
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