Help on Upgrading HT system -Amplifier or Power

[X man]

Hi,

I have MA Rx6 HT set up, Marantz SR 6005 AVR and Sony Blu Ray. I listen to a lot of music though use the set up for HT as well - Hence opted for a AVR initially in order to optimise budget. However I understand from all you guys that to get best in music an integrated Amp/ power amp / CD combo will give much better performance. I dont want to invest in another set of speakers for two channel.

Hence had several questions on how to go about it


Can I add an integrated Amp CDP combo ( say Marantz PM) to the existing AVR set up - without need to change speaker connections to AVR/ PM while using it for movies/ HT every time. (I mean I dont want to take speaker leads out for AVR and Plug into Amp and vice versa every time I listen to music). Is there a way of hooking on the Integrated Amp to existing AVR set up.

Or should I prefer a Power Amp route connecting my Pre outs from Marantz to Power Amp for two channel. In such a set up can I watch movies normally.

Will the performance improvement be material compared to existing set up and is it worth it given incremental cost required.

If I want to use a phased approach to upgrade (and manage my budget)- Will I get any improvement if I add a CD Player initially ( say CD 5004/CD 6004) to existing AVR set up in step 1 and subsequently add Amp/ Power Amp - or should I do the other way around? Will the performance improvement be material.

Would personally prefer a Integrated Amp/ CDP over Power Amp as I understand power Amps are very expensive.

And Lastly which Amp should I consider?


I understand these are a long set of questions but all suggestions/ inputs will be extremely helpful.

 

[elangoas]

Hi,

I have MA Rx6 HT set up, Marantz SR 6005 AVR and Sony Blu Ray. I listen to a lot of music though use the set up for HT as well - Hence opted for a AVR initially in order to optimise budget. However I understand from all you guys that to get best in music an integrated Amp/ power amp / CD combo will give much better performance. I dont want to invest in another set of speakers for two channel.

Hence had several questions on how to go about it


Can I add an integrated Amp CDP combo ( say Marantz PM) to the existing AVR set up - without need to change speaker connections to AVR/ PM while using it for movies/ HT every time. (I mean I dont want to take speaker leads out for AVR and Plug into Amp and vice versa every time I listen to music). Is there a way of hooking on the Integrated Amp to existing AVR set up.

Or should I prefer a Power Amp route connecting my Pre outs from Marantz to Power Amp for two channel. In such a set up can I watch movies normally.

Will the performance improvement be material compared to existing set up and is it worth it given incremental cost required.

If I want to use a phased approach to upgrade (and manage my budget)- Will I get any improvement if I add a CD Player initially ( say CD 5004/CD 6004) to existing AVR set up in step 1 and subsequently add Amp/ Power Amp - or should I do the other way around? Will the performance improvement be material.

Would personally prefer a Integrated Amp/ CDP over Power Amp as I understand power Amps are very expensive.

And Lastly which Amp should I consider?


I understand these are a long set of questions but all suggestions/ inputs will be extremely helpful.

I would suggest get an CD player + Power amplifier combo... This way u take the digital out of the CD player and feed it to Marantz receiver & power amp should do justice....This way you don't have to fiddle with the connections every time when you listen to music/movies on your receiver....

The reason CD player are extremely good @ reproducing what is on CD is because of the D/A converters (or) DAC used in the CD Player...As far as i have noticed Marantz CD player have 110 + dB... Hecne the clear reproduction of music.... Receivers typically hover around 100 - 105 dB.

 

[aashish351]

Two options:

1) Power Amp on the pre-outs from Marantz AVR. Definite Improvement, future ready as you can add a preamp as you graduate to different stereo and HT setups. You can also add a DAC with Preamp or a CDP with Preamp (like Audiolab 8200CDQ).

2) An Integrated Amp and a Speaker selector like Beresford 7220 which allows you to listen to the same speakers with different amps or different speakers with same amp. Some FMs have also built DIY speaker switches.

Personnally, I would go for the Power Amp now and later add components. However, please note that every component either adds or subtracts from the mix. The improvement in sound quality while using AVR as a preamp as compared to using a stereo preamp or even an Integrated with migh not be a lot. Hear both options in your setup if you can.

 

[X man]

Sorry for responding late!.. Thanks for the suggestions. Is Beresford 7220 available in India (How much do they cost). What are decent budget power amps and how much do they cost.

 

[utkarsh]

I'm also looking a Stereo Amp for my Marantz SR5005 for purely music listening and still searching for a cheap effective solution.

1) You can go for Stereo Amp not necessary a power amp which has HT bypass. Some of the integrated amps like Marantz PM7004,8004 have the capability to work with av receivers through a home theater bypass which allows them to power the two channel component when it is used in isolation (for 2 channel listening) and then work with the receiver in a multichannel home theater setup while still powering the L/R speakers(receiver takes over volume control).

2) Get a speaker switching box and an integrated amp and keep the two things separate but connected to the same speakers.

3) AVR pre-out to amp pre in method. where you have controll sound output from Amp and AVR.

some amps with HT Bypass
1. Peachtree Audio Nova Stereo integrated amplifier with built-in DAC
2. Denon - PM1510AE
3. Marantz PM 7004/8004
4. Parasound 2100 with added feature of a subwoofer out.
5. Cambridge Audio 740A
6. Emotiva Usp-1

 

[X man]

Are speaker switches available. Also SR6005 has pre out, but am wondering if there are issues adjusting Stereo Amp & AVR to get a balanced HT performance. ( I mean can I run Audyssey to set the 5.1).

 

[Viki]

You could also opt for an int amp which has a HT bypass input, also called zero gain input, and connect your receiver to it.

 

[utkarsh]

Are speaker switches available. Also SR6005 has pre out, but am wondering if there are issues adjusting Stereo Amp & AVR to get a balanced HT performance. ( I mean can I run Audyssey to set the 5.1).

This is the speaker switch Amazon.com: Monster Cable SS4 Multi-Speaker Selector: Electronics
You can select any Amp with HT Bypass then you will not face any Volume balance problem.

 

[utkarsh]

One more thing you can do till you get a Power amp is use Manual EQ instead of Audyssey while listening music.

 

[navin advani]

Having a budget of about Rs. 1.5L, I was discussing my upcoming HT/2ch. requirements with a friend. For this application my use is 70% movies (via set top box and DVD) and 30% audio. I would be in the market in a month or so.

I was leaning towards a Marantz AVR (SR7005) supplemented by a Marantz 5 ch. (MM7055) power amplifer. The idea was to use the AVR for the rear speakers and use the 5 ch. power amp to power the front speakers (biamped) and center.

Firstly, my friend told me that 2 Marantz AVRs he had malfunctioned so it would be better to look at other brands. What is the experience with Marantz owners on hifivision?

Secondly, my friend suggested the option of using a good 2 channel Integrated stereo amplifer and AVR so that my audio signal chain is as clean as possible. Option that come to mind was a NAD 375BEE and NAD T748 or the Harman HK990 and AVR365 are there any other options in this price range?

I see my friend's point of view.

For stereo use:
The front speakers would be powered by the Integrated Stereo amp. The stereo amp will keep the stereo signal clean when I am listening to audio. The tape out of the stereo amp can be connected to the AV amp if the AV amp needs to be used (the subwoofer would be triggered using the AV amp).

For AV use:
The center and rear speakers would be powered by the AV amp. The AV amp would do all the processing and the pre out of the Integrated Stereo amp could be connected to the power in of the stereo amp so that the front speaker.

Which of the 2 options do you guys recomend - AVR+power amp OR 2 ch. Integrated + AVR? and Why?

 

[shuv]

Sorry to dig up an old thread but I'm in the same boat. Single set of speakers has to be used with both the AVR and an Integrated.

What options do I have?

 

[Naturelover]

Came across this thread looking to have a single pair of fronts for hifi and HT. Expect you would have done your research by now.
Several integrated amps like Musical Fidelity M3i/M6i, Naim, Cambridge Audio 840/851 and some others have an HT bypass feature and thus only one pair of fronts is needed.
Another way of getting around is this.
Am still researching.