Yup, its a pre. I`m using a Myryad 5150 with it and currently experimenting bi-amping my fronts along with my naim 150x.
Considering going back to Stereo for movies
- Thread starter kristoffer
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colasblue
pfm Member
My experiemce is that 5.1 is better in movies.
The cost effective way to do it is with a mediacentre PC with decent onboard audio or a good soundcard (note this a desktop not a lappy).
The same PC can be your primary digital audio source/nas server
when my old cambrigde v500 processor died the pc took over and the processor wasn't really missed.
2 channel sound via the tv's toslink cable and the benchmark dac by comparison is very mediocre.
PC is the way to go with dvd/blu ray IMHO. It adapts to standards improvement without the need to purchase megabucks new equipment. Just update the software and aceept the old hardware maybe isn't giving you quite the "full" benefit of 7.2 channels of 192/24 digital audio.
The only drawback is that if you have sky movies there isn't any way to hook it up to the PC (so I don't)
The cost effective way to do it is with a mediacentre PC with decent onboard audio or a good soundcard (note this a desktop not a lappy).
The same PC can be your primary digital audio source/nas server
when my old cambrigde v500 processor died the pc took over and the processor wasn't really missed.
2 channel sound via the tv's toslink cable and the benchmark dac by comparison is very mediocre.
PC is the way to go with dvd/blu ray IMHO. It adapts to standards improvement without the need to purchase megabucks new equipment. Just update the software and aceept the old hardware maybe isn't giving you quite the "full" benefit of 7.2 channels of 192/24 digital audio.
The only drawback is that if you have sky movies there isn't any way to hook it up to the PC (so I don't)
If you have a hybrid stereo/surround system, the only way stereo could sound "better" (as in clearer, more immersive, etc) with movies is either due to a massively imbalanced system (great stereo system with some Richer clearance specials tacked on for surround), or an incorrectly set up system (wrong decoding etc).
I've a legacy (ie cheap now but expensive five years ago) AV setup added to my hifi (denon 3800BD -> mch analog out -> Lexicon MC1 -> nap 175 -> B&W CM1/C) and the difference between stereo and this is like iPod speakers and a decent hifi. Having a projector (and therefore wider stage) could be a factor though - with a regular TV the sound immersion might be out of proportion).
I've a legacy (ie cheap now but expensive five years ago) AV setup added to my hifi (denon 3800BD -> mch analog out -> Lexicon MC1 -> nap 175 -> B&W CM1/C) and the difference between stereo and this is like iPod speakers and a decent hifi. Having a projector (and therefore wider stage) could be a factor though - with a regular TV the sound immersion might be out of proportion).
Warren Day
pfm Member
I like the immersive effect of surround - I've had experiences where Prologic surround off a rental video was more engaging than stereo dts of LaserDisc.
I've always built my surround system on my hifi, so processor LR out into stereo (pre) amp. I've also always been without a centre channel, though after hearing an early Naim 4.0 system with DBLs as L&R I know this isn't necessarily a drawback.
One key thing is setup. I recall going to a huge consumer electronics show in the early 90s and Dr. Tony Grimani of THX saying speakers aren't placed in a room, they are coupled to the room. In my experience surround placement can be just as important as stereo speaker placement (toeing in etc.).
I've always built my surround system on my hifi, so processor LR out into stereo (pre) amp. I've also always been without a centre channel, though after hearing an early Naim 4.0 system with DBLs as L&R I know this isn't necessarily a drawback.
One key thing is setup. I recall going to a huge consumer electronics show in the early 90s and Dr. Tony Grimani of THX saying speakers aren't placed in a room, they are coupled to the room. In my experience surround placement can be just as important as stereo speaker placement (toeing in etc.).
bennyboyph
pfm Member
PM me if you want to know how...