Artsfols
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- Mar 24, 2021
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It was going to be very simple. I had planned to move from my 2.1 system based around an Arcam A80 amplifier to a 3.1 system based on a Yamaha RX-V6A. Then I stopped reading the advertising, landed on this site (my son's advice) and my simple world came crashing down around me.
My general apprehension about making the move away from my older equipment was confirmed after reading here for a day or so. I would lose the sound quality that I've loved for 15 years in making this purchase.
It's probably fair to say that the AV technology is still evolving and hasn't reached a stage of full maturity. It does so much, but doesn't do it as well as the older 2.1 technology.
Let me sharpen my question a bit.
My 2.1 system consists of an Arcam A80, CD73 player, OPPO BDP-95 (for SACDs mainly), Totem Arro speakers, Totem Tribe sub with 500W amplifier as well as an Apple TV 4K box and LG OLED television and an ASUS SFF Windows computer.
Not the greatest system in the world, but one that's kept my aging ears happy for quite a long time now.
The general problem has been transitioning into the newer HDMI connected world from my very happy and stable analog audio environment. I'll be happy to describe how I interconnect all this equipment but I'll sidestep that for now.
What I'm asking for is a judgement call and commentary on which option is the most viable going forward. There are a number of goals involved - 1) obtain good sound from my Apple 4K box. For example, I subscribe to the fantastic Berlin Philharmonic concert series and although the sound is very good, it doesn't quite match, say, Bluray or SACD sound from my OPPO or even a quality CD on my CD73. - 2) add a centre channel (or better stereo mix) for movies - 3) improve the mix between the Totem Arro's and sub, which I don't properly cross over. (This doesn't greatly matter as there is so little low bass in most of my classical sources, but still ....)
Here are the very distinct alternatives I see:
Alternative 1. Replace the Arcam A80 with a Denon 3700 AV receiver.
Alternative 1A. Add a centre channel (finding a suitable one is a problem all in itself), OR
Alternative 1B. Use the incorporated Audyssey software to get better dialogue out of the existing speakers.
Alternative 2. Keep the Arcam A80 and use a miniDSP DDRC-24 with 'Dirac Live' to improve the sound from all sources, but especially the Apple 4K streaming content. This would be done ... if I understand the miniDSP correctly ... by inserting the box between the Tape In and Out connectors on the amplifier.
Alternative 3. Something else entirely.
Conceptually, I see alternative 1 as taking a step into the HDMI audio world, and alternative 2 as staying where I am (2.1 sound) with modifications.
I like alternative 1 in that it is 'plug and play', but there are fewer unknowns with alternative 2. This almost comes down to a 'gut level' decision I believe, and that's what I'm looking for rather than hard technical advice which I can obtain through personal research. Of course, anything along that line is welcomed.
If you've read and absorbed all this, thanks for staying with me. Open to all suggestions.
My general apprehension about making the move away from my older equipment was confirmed after reading here for a day or so. I would lose the sound quality that I've loved for 15 years in making this purchase.
It's probably fair to say that the AV technology is still evolving and hasn't reached a stage of full maturity. It does so much, but doesn't do it as well as the older 2.1 technology.
Let me sharpen my question a bit.
My 2.1 system consists of an Arcam A80, CD73 player, OPPO BDP-95 (for SACDs mainly), Totem Arro speakers, Totem Tribe sub with 500W amplifier as well as an Apple TV 4K box and LG OLED television and an ASUS SFF Windows computer.
Not the greatest system in the world, but one that's kept my aging ears happy for quite a long time now.
The general problem has been transitioning into the newer HDMI connected world from my very happy and stable analog audio environment. I'll be happy to describe how I interconnect all this equipment but I'll sidestep that for now.
What I'm asking for is a judgement call and commentary on which option is the most viable going forward. There are a number of goals involved - 1) obtain good sound from my Apple 4K box. For example, I subscribe to the fantastic Berlin Philharmonic concert series and although the sound is very good, it doesn't quite match, say, Bluray or SACD sound from my OPPO or even a quality CD on my CD73. - 2) add a centre channel (or better stereo mix) for movies - 3) improve the mix between the Totem Arro's and sub, which I don't properly cross over. (This doesn't greatly matter as there is so little low bass in most of my classical sources, but still ....)
Here are the very distinct alternatives I see:
Alternative 1. Replace the Arcam A80 with a Denon 3700 AV receiver.
Alternative 1A. Add a centre channel (finding a suitable one is a problem all in itself), OR
Alternative 1B. Use the incorporated Audyssey software to get better dialogue out of the existing speakers.
Alternative 2. Keep the Arcam A80 and use a miniDSP DDRC-24 with 'Dirac Live' to improve the sound from all sources, but especially the Apple 4K streaming content. This would be done ... if I understand the miniDSP correctly ... by inserting the box between the Tape In and Out connectors on the amplifier.
Alternative 3. Something else entirely.
Conceptually, I see alternative 1 as taking a step into the HDMI audio world, and alternative 2 as staying where I am (2.1 sound) with modifications.
I like alternative 1 in that it is 'plug and play', but there are fewer unknowns with alternative 2. This almost comes down to a 'gut level' decision I believe, and that's what I'm looking for rather than hard technical advice which I can obtain through personal research. Of course, anything along that line is welcomed.
If you've read and absorbed all this, thanks for staying with me. Open to all suggestions.
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