Over the last few years, the way the family and I use various A/V components in our entertainment room has changed significantly. My current setup for 2.2 and 5.2 listening isn't providing what I'm looking for any longer and so I'm on an adventure to do some upgrading - sound familiar?
It used to be we had many external a/v sources (satellite box, DVR, XBox/PS, CD/Blue-ray, etc), but we no longer use these. With the exception of an external DAC, everything now resides in the TV as apps (AppleTV, Disney+, YouTubeTV, Amazon Prime, Amazon Music, NAS media player, BT & Airplay streaming, etc). We actually don't need any video functionality in a processor except perhaps OSD of settings.
Rather than analyzing my way into specific boxes, I'd rather take advantage of this great community of like minded enthusiasts for some suggestions.
Relevant existing gear:
- 4k smart tv with hdmi 2.1
- Marantz 11.2 Pre-Pro with balanced outputs
- Topping DAC for critial listening
- Emotiva 5 channel amp with balanced inputs
- 5.2 speakers
Currently the TV outputs audio and controls the processor volume through HDMI 2.1/eARC, so only a single TV remote is used for everything. This has greatly simplified and improved the usability of the system.
Problems to be solved:
1) Bass management / Room Correction. There is Audyssey xt32 in the Marantz, but no detailed control over it. I think I can do better and am sold on Dirac.
2) Improve sound quality. While I don't claim to be able to hear it, I believe the Marantz processor isn't as competitive in the sound quality as more modern options.
Looking for a solution that has
* HDMI 2.1 / eARC for audio input & volume control
* Modern surround sound decoder (at least 5ch)
* Great measuring DAC's
* Balanced outputs
* Dirac Live
A few possible solutions
1) upgrade to a new processor that has Dirac. (no use for most input switching and video functionality) - all high $$$
2) upgrade to a new AVR with Dirac and just use pre-outs. (no use for input switching, video functionality or amps) - Perhaps Onkyo TX-RZ50
3) keep existing pre-pro and add Minidsp DDRC-88A for Dirac functionality. (concern over double A/D conversion and dated hardware)
Please weigh in if you've been down this road before.....
It used to be we had many external a/v sources (satellite box, DVR, XBox/PS, CD/Blue-ray, etc), but we no longer use these. With the exception of an external DAC, everything now resides in the TV as apps (AppleTV, Disney+, YouTubeTV, Amazon Prime, Amazon Music, NAS media player, BT & Airplay streaming, etc). We actually don't need any video functionality in a processor except perhaps OSD of settings.
Rather than analyzing my way into specific boxes, I'd rather take advantage of this great community of like minded enthusiasts for some suggestions.
Relevant existing gear:
- 4k smart tv with hdmi 2.1
- Marantz 11.2 Pre-Pro with balanced outputs
- Topping DAC for critial listening
- Emotiva 5 channel amp with balanced inputs
- 5.2 speakers
Currently the TV outputs audio and controls the processor volume through HDMI 2.1/eARC, so only a single TV remote is used for everything. This has greatly simplified and improved the usability of the system.
Problems to be solved:
1) Bass management / Room Correction. There is Audyssey xt32 in the Marantz, but no detailed control over it. I think I can do better and am sold on Dirac.
2) Improve sound quality. While I don't claim to be able to hear it, I believe the Marantz processor isn't as competitive in the sound quality as more modern options.
Looking for a solution that has
* HDMI 2.1 / eARC for audio input & volume control
* Modern surround sound decoder (at least 5ch)
* Great measuring DAC's
* Balanced outputs
* Dirac Live
A few possible solutions
1) upgrade to a new processor that has Dirac. (no use for most input switching and video functionality) - all high $$$
2) upgrade to a new AVR with Dirac and just use pre-outs. (no use for input switching, video functionality or amps) - Perhaps Onkyo TX-RZ50
3) keep existing pre-pro and add Minidsp DDRC-88A for Dirac functionality. (concern over double A/D conversion and dated hardware)
Please weigh in if you've been down this road before.....