Post by grsimmon December 13, 2011 (1 of 23)
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Can folks here provide me some info and/or make some recommendations: how to get 5.1 SACD surround output to 5.1 speakers, but without going through a receiver? Or, is via a receiver not as bad sounding as I'm imagining? To put this in perspective, I have never used a receiver nor a pre/pro, just always a Benchmark dac/pre. Thanks in advance for your insights......
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Post by yakman December 13, 2011 (2 of 23)
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Without a receiver, you can consider getting an OPPO-93/95 or Yamaha BD-A1010 and connect to active speakers.
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Post by AmonRa December 14, 2011 (3 of 23)
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The problem with this analog out approach is the lack of 5 or 6 channel preamplifiers with analog inputs. Even if the player with MCH analog outputs is connected to active speakers one needs some way of controlling the playback level. There are hardly any MCH preamps with MCH analog inputs which are reasonably priced. It might be cheaper to get a professional MCH monitor controller than find a MCH preamp with analog inputs.
I use my Prism Orpheus AD/DA converter 8 channel mixer as a volume controller, which is not ideal what comes to convenience, but it is "free" as I happen to have one sitting around.
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I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by modern receivers (especially those that calibrate your speaker settings automatically) in general. As in all things though, there's always an exception that "stinks".
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Post by AmonRa December 14, 2011 (5 of 23)
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Polly Nomial said:
I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by modern receivers (especially those that calibrate your speaker settings automatically) in general. As in all things though, there's always an exception that "stinks".
FInding a simple analog MCH preamplifier, which should not cost all that much at all, is impossible. Finding a receiver with all kinds of effects and manipulation, video circuits etc, and 7x100W amplifiers is easy. Strange.
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Post by Jann December 14, 2011 (6 of 23)
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You can use a player, like the Oppo or Yamaha, that has (1) multichannel analog outputs, (2) internal bass/channel management and (3) volume control by connecting it directly to a multichannel power amp and subwoofer. There is no doubt in my mind that this works as I have done it.
That said, I would vote for using an analog preamp, prepro or AVR anyway. My first concern is that I do not trust the volume control in the player because it is usually an unsophisticated digital control which loses bits as it attenuates and, therefore, is only acceptable if you can live with minimal attenuation. Second, I do not trust myself to insure that the VC is at a tolerable setting every time it powers up. (I acknowledge this is a prejudice.)
It depends on your budget but used analog preamps can be found but that seems, to me, to be a biased effort to remain in the last century (unless you can get something like a McIntosh C45, Bel Canto Pre6 or AR MP1). Rather than paying a lot for a little, I would sooner buy a used prepro, like the Integra 9.8 or 9.9 (or the Onkyo equivalents).
Kal
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grsimmon said:
Can folks here provide me some info and/or make some recommendations: how to get 5.1 SACD surround output to 5.1 speakers, but without going through a receiver? Or, is via a receiver not as bad sounding as I'm imagining? To put this in perspective, I have never used a receiver nor a pre/pro, just always a Benchmark dac/pre. Thanks in advance for your insights......
I agree with Kal completely. I see no downsides to a digital prepro and quality separate amps. That is what I use (an Integra DC 80.2 via HDMI from a n Oppo BDP-93), and IMHO it sounds better than $400K stereos I have heard because it is Mch and it contains excellent "room EQ" (Audyssey XT/32 with a Pro calibration). I have been a high end audiophile for over 50 years, and I have heard a lot of systems and live concerts. What I have got now sonically is beyond my wildest dreams of even 5 years ago. Prior to that, my stereo used a Levinson line stage, $22K Krell monoblocks and a Theta Player + DAC. But, my systm now sounds way, way better than that through my same Martin Logan Prodigy main speakers. Most of my long term audio buddies have independently reached similar conclusions, and have evolved from high end stereo separates to digital controllers - Integras or Anthem D2V's - and Oppo players via HDMI.
But, it all depends on your budget. Usually, the main compromise in AVR's is the amps. But, if your speakers are not difficult loads and are not power hungry, some of the better AVR's can save you money over separates and still give you the advantages of a digital controller.
The leading candidate today at reaonable price among analog controllers is the Parasound P7, but I have not heard a compelling sonic reason to go the analog-connected route. It lacks considerable flexibility and features compared to a digital controller.
I have heard tailspn's excellent Meitner front ended system into a custom analog passive line stage. That was way more expensive as a front end than mine, and it was exceptional in many ways, but it did not convince me that I needed to make any changes in my own system.
An older Integra 9.8 prepro plus an Oppo 83 utterly blew away an Audio Research analog controller/Esoteric Mch player in recording reviewer and good friend Andy Quint's system. Audyssey EQ in that setup was a key reason, and that cannot be done optimally or as cost effectively in an analog connected system.
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Post by AmonRa December 14, 2011 (9 of 23)
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http://www.gracedesign.com/products/m906/m906.htm
Grace Design MCH monitor controller, costs around $5600. That site is worth looking at for the specs alone, it is unfair that professionals get so much connectivity (3 sets of speakers etc...) and adjustments (level calibration, 0.5 dB volume steps etc) at audiophile quality relatively cheap.
But then again, they sell these things to clever enough amateurs also.
Crane Song Avocet is similar, but needs a total of three main units for MCH, controlled from one remote. Price is in the same ballpark. http://www.cranesong.com/avocet.html
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Post by tailspn December 14, 2011 (10 of 23)
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If you're handy with a soldering iron, for well under $1,000 ($500 if your analog lines are single ended, not balanced) you could assemble, or have someone assemble for you, a five or six channel passive attenuator from Twisted Pear.
http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/control/jt.aspx
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