Rori Posted November 13, 2020 Posted November 13, 2020 (edited) Has anyone dropped their high end DAC for a high end HT processor with awesome 2 channel capabilities and happier for it? Not only for the simplification of the system, but the wallet will most likely be better off too. What's everyone's thoughts? If you did, what was your DAC and what is your new HT processor? Cheers! Edited November 13, 2020 by Rori
acg Posted November 13, 2020 Posted November 13, 2020 My Anthem AVM60 gets nowhere near my dedicated dac in terms of 2 channel quality playback...but is well better than the Denon AVR downstairs. Few dedicated dacs get close to my dac though... 1
Rori Posted November 13, 2020 Author Posted November 13, 2020 What DAC do you have? I was thinking the higher end of HT processors such as Emotiva RMC-1 or even higher again like the Trinnov or the likes.
JohnL Posted November 13, 2020 Posted November 13, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, Rori said: Has anyone dropped their high end DAC for a high end HT processor with awesome 2 channel capabilities and happier for it? Not only for the simplification of the system, but the wallet will most likely be better off too. What's everyone's thoughts? If you did, what was your DAC and what is your new HT processor? Cheers! WRT Emotiva RMC 1.............read this https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/emotiva-rmc-1-av-processor-review.11673/ My $1K Topping D90 measurements destroy it. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-d90-balanced-usb-dac-review.10519/ How that translates into SQ is up to the listener though but based on the above the odds are that a dedicated 2 channel DAC is better bang for buck than a high end Pre/Pro. Regardless of price point the Pre/Pro is forced to compromise for all it's M/C features like DSP, Bass Management, Room EQ ......etc....etc.... The dedicated 2 channel DAC just does that job only........... I reckon you could spend LESS than the Emotiva RMC 1 on 2 components (especially used) and get a better result.........apart from system "simplicity" Edited November 13, 2020 by JohnL 1
Guest DrSK Posted November 13, 2020 Posted November 13, 2020 (edited) 3 hours ago, Rori said: Has anyone dropped their high end DAC for a high end HT processor with awesome 2 channel capabilities and happier for it? Not only for the simplification of the system, but the wallet will most likely be better off too. What's everyone's thoughts? If you did, what was your DAC and what is your new HT processor? Cheers! No. But recommend using a HQ stereo DAC for movie fronts with matching amplification, ditching the centre channel, and using the HT processing for the other channels. Send the stereo DAC down mixed multi channel to 2.0. At some point I may play with bringing a centre channel in at low level to fill a bit more for off axis seating. But not until I've played more with treatments to reduce image ghosting. If you've already spent good dollars on good stereo, use it for movies. The money required to match the centre channel can be high and I haven't really found a need. People have been blown away by my centre speaker quality and are completely blindsided when they realise its not plugged in. Edited November 13, 2020 by DrSK
Rori Posted November 13, 2020 Author Posted November 13, 2020 1 hour ago, JohnL said: WRT Emotiva RMC 1.............read this https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/emotiva-rmc-1-av-processor-review.11673/ My $1K Topping D90 measurements destroy it. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/topping-d90-balanced-usb-dac-review.10519/ How that translates into SQ is up to the listener though but based on the above the odds are that a dedicated 2 channel DAC is better bang for buck than a high end Pre/Pro. Regardless of price point the Pre/Pro is forced to compromise for all it's M/C features like DSP, Bass Management, Room EQ ......etc....etc.... The dedicated 2 channel DAC just does that job only........... I reckon you could spend LESS than the Emotiva RMC 1 on 2 components (especially used) and get a better result.........apart from system "simplicity" Wow Cheers for that link, mind blowing! Looks like I won't be getting an RMC-1. I wonder how the Trinnov would go with the same tests...
Rori Posted November 13, 2020 Author Posted November 13, 2020 11 minutes ago, DrSK said: No. But recommend using a HQ stereo DAC for movie fronts with matching amplification, ditching the centre channel, and using the HT processing for the other channels. Send the stereo DAC down mixed multi channel to 2.0. At some point I may play with bringing a centre channel in at low level to fill a bit more for off axis seating. But not until I've played more with treatments to reduce image ghosting. If you've already spent good dollars on good stereo, use it for movies. The money required to match the centre channel can be high and I haven't really found a need. People have been blown away by my centre speaker quality and are completely blindsided when they realise its not plugged in. That's an interesting idea, I'll look into it and possibly get onto you through PM if that's ok? I've got a rippa 2 channel system I also use for HT with matching surrounds and centre, was thinking possibly to get rid of my pre and DAC and have a higher end processor do the duty of both movies and 2 channel music. Wouldn't mind ditching the centre channel and getting some rack space back!
BugPowderDust Posted November 13, 2020 Posted November 13, 2020 Going from a top end av processor (Anthem d2v) to a HT bypass config, I’d say if you’re serious about 2 channel listening, separate them both. I’m so much happier after separating duties and getting a better level of control of each scenario. A super high end AV Pre will date and descend in value with great velocity. Your two channel rig is much less likely to do the same. 2
Rori Posted November 13, 2020 Author Posted November 13, 2020 1 hour ago, BugPowderDust said: Going from a top end av processor (Anthem d2v) to a HT bypass config, I’d say if you’re serious about 2 channel listening, separate them both. I’m so much happier after separating duties and getting a better level of control of each scenario. A super high end AV Pre will date and descend in value with great velocity. Your two channel rig is much less likely to do the same. Good points mate.
Guest Posted November 16, 2020 Posted November 16, 2020 (edited) On 13/11/2020 at 3:57 PM, Rori said: Has anyone dropped their high end DAC for a high end HT processor with awesome 2 channel capabilities and happier for it? Not only for the simplification of the system, but the wallet will most likely be better off too. What's everyone's thoughts? If you did, what was your DAC and what is your new HT processor? Cheers! If you compare a HT system side by side with a stereo setup using the same amps and speakers, there is no contest for someone who is serious about 2 channel music. A HT processor is a jack of many trades focusing on multi channel processing, and 2 channel is a subset. And not sure you will save money by going to a HT processor. A $2K DAC (not sure what you mean by high end?) plus a $3K stereo preamp makes for a decent setup and will beat a $5K HT processor for 2 channel sound quality. Some $2K DACs can work as a preamp, thus making the 2 channel setup even cheaper than the HT processor. Yes, there are people who are happy to use their HT processor for music, but these people are unlikely to be interested in a high end DAC in the first place. If there was space constraints (e.g. moving to a smaller home), a 2 channel music person with a high end DAC is more likely to give up their HT setup and use the stereo setup for movies. Edited November 16, 2020 by Snoopy8 Typo
MattyW Posted November 16, 2020 Posted November 16, 2020 5 hours ago, Snoopy8 said: If there was space constraints (e.g. moving to a smaller home), a 2 channel music person with a high end DAC is more likely to give up their HT setup and use the stereo setup for movies. Nah, just use a computer equipment rack (the sort with mesh sides). Put everything in that, and use a speaker switch to share the two main speakers between the dedicated DAC and stereo amp. My experience has been that no AVR I've ever heard comes close to a half decent dedicated 2 channel setup for music. 8 rack units for 2 channel and 5 for home theater does it for me.... Use my Denon DN-500BD Mk2 for CD's as well as DVD's. This system is exclusively digital otherwise a larger rack would be required. The ability to share a pair of speakers between two separate systems means that no compromises need to be made. That said my main system upstairs is purely 2 channel and if I absolutely had to choose one over the other then I choose a high quality 2 channel setup.
genkifd Posted November 16, 2020 Posted November 16, 2020 i listen to a lot music with my current HT system - to me sounds pretty good to me. consists of Primare SP33 (processor) and a 7 channel Elektra amp. i dont think would be a match to a dedicated 2 channel setup though. in saying so about a year ago im surprised how good my HT sounds compared to some dedicated systems 1
Steever Posted November 21, 2020 Posted November 21, 2020 (edited) Yes. I went from this Theta DSPre II (still the best DAC I’ve ever heard) to this Lexicon MC-12 (not quite as good but, no regrets). Incredible for home theatre. to this Cyrus AV Master 8 (a drop downwards for audio but I knew I’d be adding a better DAC/pre with HTBP shortly anyway. I now use a DAC XP+ with the AVM8 (two top right boxes below) for best of both worlds. Edited November 21, 2020 by Winno
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