Advice

[Teza]

Right I'm looking for a bit of advice:

My system consists of the following: Marantz Av8003 HT pre processor, Rotel 1085 5 channel D class amp and a new set of Theophany Psallo Kardia speakers (no laughing please they sound great to me).

I have done away with cds and am sending audio (FLAC format) from my PC using Jriver software (very impressed with this) to my PS3 (via Ethernet) then HDMI out to the Marantz.

My question is, can I improve the sound by a: getting a better quality power amp. B: feeding the PC output into a DAC then into the Marantz, C: get a good integrated with HT pass through and use that for 2 channel music and it's amps for the fronts during movies (hope that makes sense) or d: something else I haven't though of?

I'm not loooking to spend mega bucks (under $5,000), all advice appreciated.

[Michael Wong]

Yes, the weak link is the Rotel Class D amp.

[Teza]

Yes, the weak link is the Rotel Class D amp.

Any suggestions re a new power amp? I like the sound of the Rotel but am not fixated on any maker so would be open to suggestions. I would prefer a 5 channel amp obviously for home theatre but I seem to be using my set up for 2 channel music more and more so it would be good if there was one that could meet both requirements.

[Ernie]

BelCanto and Perreaux both have integrateds to do what you want to achieve, and both have preamp/DACs that perform in the desired capacities. There's other brands too, but can't vouch for performance.

Options A. & B. are more desireable though. You could probably achieve A. and B. with your stated budget too. Option C. is probably another compromise.

If you can keep your Rotel amp then you could use it to drive the centre or rear speakers. I see a budget implosion...

[too_tall]

Get a good integrated amp with a good DAC chipset, and send the music via that. Make sure it has a HT bypass input to connect to your 8003, and possibly refine a little the music serving ( or get a squeezebox touch ). I am not sure that the PS3 via HDMI is the best way.

Perreaux's new Audiant preamp (c.$3K at a guess ) looks the bees knees - Async USB for computer audio, HT bypass, just need to get a power amp to go with it. Plenty of them around for $2K or less, specially on TM.

Alternately, sell the Rotel and get this beast (http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/home-audio/amplifiers-tuners/auction-437336013.htm)

[Michael Wong]

That eats his entire budget.

If you like the 1085, keep it.

Simplify the front end by getting rid of the PS3, feed the Marantz from a good DAC (Cambridge Audio, Benchmark etc.).

Adding a stereo integrated just complicates everything.

[too_tall]

selling the Rotel would recover a bit of dosh Michael. Probably more than enough for a Squeezebox Touch feeding digital into the 8003. That Perreaux is more than likely able to be had for $4K. That Perreaux would improve the entire system quite significantly over the Rotel I suspect ( don't get me wrong, I like Rotel gear more than most, but its a significantly different kettle of fish from the Perreaux )

I briefly had an 8003 here for a demo once, and it was sonically inferior to my older Rotel 1069 for music. Better than the Onkyo 5508 I ended up with ( for music at least ) though, but a lot more expensive. The Rotel was the only HT processor in the semi reasonable price range that I could listen to music on happily. The Onkyo is plain horrible for music, the Marantz could easily be bettered by a good integrated or similar.

[cloth_ears]

The spec sheet for the 8003 (http://electronics.productwiki.com/marantz-av8003/)shows that it has an ethernet media player.

Have you tried to use that feature to play your stored files instead of going via the PS3?

[Ernie]

The interface would be a disappointment.

[Teza]

The spec sheet for the 8003 (http://electronics.productwiki.com/marantz-av8003/)shows that it has an ethernet media player.

Have you tried to use that feature to play your stored files instead of going via the PS3?

For some bizzare reason It doesn't work with my PC (Ive tried different versions of windows etc. but still no luck). I would however like to keep using JRivers media player software as I am very impressed with it.

[Ernie]

I was about to say, DLNA is unpredictable at best. A DAC with USB connectivity should be a purchasing driver if you want to move up the ladder in terms of SQ.

[Teza]

I was about to say, DLNA is unpredictable at best. A DAC with USB connectivity should be a purchasing driver if you want to move up the ladder in terms of SQ.

I tried once more with the inbuilt player and what do you know it now works (I just remembered that I had recently done a fresh Win 7 install so there must have been an issue with my old build).

I think I'll go with the suggestion of a good DAC, now does anyone do an Ethernet DAC or am I better to go with USB?

I think I will upgrade the power amp later in the year as well but that can wait for now.

[pocoloco]

not to throw a spanner in the works but if your thinking of upgrading your amplifier you should check out Emotiva. They do use a direct sale aproach but their shipping is heavily discounted from the quotes I've recieved ($120 US for an AMP and DAC 3-5 day courier). They also have a 30day return policy ;).

Their new XPA-5 power amp has been getting pretty good feedback (http://www.stereophile.com/content/music-round-51). It's $900 US and delivers 200w@8ohm/300w@4ohm into all five channels.

http://emotiva.com/xpa5.shtm

from a cursory review of the feedback (http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/preamplifiers/689-emotiva-usp-1-stereo-preamplifier.html?start=1)on their USP-1 pre at $450 US it also seems to have been making a name for itself but more research should be done (it comes with an HT bypass)

http://emotiva.com/usp1.shtm


Just a consideration as that would leave you plenty to sort out a good DAC. You have the Rega Dac, Anedio D1, Audio-gd Reference 7.1, Lite DAC-83, W4S DAC-1/2, Benchmark DAC1 to name a few.

Some would require a product like the Audiophilleo2 to get the best out of them though. I leave you to your research! have fun :p.

[Willie]

Hi Teza,

If you are set on staying with the computer instead of a dedicated media player then you need two things to really improve your two channel music.

1. A really good USB DAC.

2. Good 2 channel amp with HT bypass (like the perreaux)

PS. some amps have DACs embeded

[Ernie]

There is the PS Audio Perfectwave DAC, which has ethernet connectivity, but the Network Bridge seems to be in hiatus. There may be others coming this year but if audio stack to PC distance is not great then a USB flavored model would work just fine. Save your wallet too.

HT bypass is a good feature to have too, whether it's in a preamp or integrated model.

[Teza]

I have had a good hour listening to the inbuilt DLNA player on the 8003 now that I have it working (pc-ethernet cable-8003) and am very unimpressed. The strange things is going via pc-ethernet cable-PS3-HDMI-8003 sounds so much better, I'm at a loss to explain why.

So after all the good advice you guys have given me I'm going to now do some extensive research on DACs, then when my bonus arrives go shopping (if I'm lucky I'll have enough for an new amp as well).

[Ernie]

I was waiting for that too...

[Teza]

I was waiting for that too...

I can only asume that the Marantz network software implimentation is pants. The music sounded flat, dull, lifeless and the bass was very boomy (is that even a real word :) ), whereas with the PS3 as the input the bass is very tight and the music has that toe tapping feel to it.

Overall though the 8003 & Rotel combo is great for movies and as set up now good for music but I think I can do better hence my original questions.

I am also very impressed with the Theophanys, they are really easy to drive and to my ears are a marked improvement on my Monitor audios, which themselves sound pretty good.