Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3
Stereo Pre/Pro with HDMI or Digital, or..?
#314501 07/13/10 04:19 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444
Likes: 16
M
connoisseur
OP Offline
connoisseur
M
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444
Likes: 16
My recent change of heart to add a TV to my great room is getting complicated. I’m looking for ideas in the event I haven’t thought of something. I have no intention to add surround speakers or a center. There is no where to place them in this room that wouldn’t look tacky. Just placing the TV in this room is complicated. Plus, I have a dedicated HT for movie watching. I currently have a two channel set up in this room and I like the simplicity of that. It’s nice not worrying about HDMI and the BS that brings. Now with the TV being added, HDMI video and digital audio enters the equation. I have a Rotel 1070 Pre and 1080 amp combo with an Outlaw ICBM for my sub, and I love this combination. It’s simple, looks good, and sounds good. But, the 1070 does not have any digital audio inputs. My cable box and BR player both have digital audio output. The cable box has analogue audio output too, but it sounds horrible. The BR player I was going to use does not have analogue audio. I know, all DAC’s should function similar, but the cable box manages to screw it up somehow and sounds horible. I also want to limit video input to the TV to one HDMI cable. I will have three sources; cable box, universal player, BR player. I may even add a Wii to the mix for drunken sword fighting….

For the video, I had planned to use a DVDO Edge. For the audio, I’m finding that piece a bit more complicated. I’ve looked at some outboard DAC’s, but none have HDMI input that I can find and I’m not terribly excited to add more complexity to this set up (pre/pro, Edge and DAC switching). So the obvious, and most simple solution would be to swap out the 1070 with an AVR that had HDMI, then I wouldn’t have to add the Edge or an external DAC. I don’t want to do that though… I’m fussy about esthetics in this room and would prefer to stick with a pre/pro that will match the 1080 in appearance. I have spent some time looking for a stereo pre with digital inputs, but I’m not having much luck finding one. There’s plenty of surround pre’s with HDMI, but that just seams wasteful to me. But, it may be my only option seeing how I don’t really want to use a receiver for aesthetic reasons.

Does anyone know of a stereo pre amp with digital input? If not, any other ideas I haven’t already thought of?

Re: Stereo Pre/Pro with HDMI or Digital, or..?
michael_d #314506 07/13/10 04:51 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 6,833
W
Wid Offline
axiomite
Offline
axiomite
W
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 6,833
I don't know if you will find a 2 channel pre that has what you want Mike. I would go with an AV receiver such as the Onkyo 707 refurbed. It's packed with features, ones you want and ones ya don't, and the price in minimal.


Rick


"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud

Re: Stereo Pre/Pro with HDMI or Digital, or..?
Wid #314512 07/13/10 05:12 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
T
axiomite
Offline
axiomite
T
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
I like the drunken sword fighting idea.

I'm helping! grin

Yeah, I think you're screwed. I think the industry and consumers perceive HDMI as inferring multi-channel content. It wouldn't make sense to produce a HDMI-capable 2-channel preamp - the market share is too small (you and... anybody?).

Quote:
most simple solution would be to swap out the 1070 with an AVR that had HDMI ... I don’t want to do that though


Mike, what I tell my kids is "there will be times in your life where what you 'want' is relevant. This is not one of those times".

I think Rick's got you covered on that Onkyo. Or you could get another Denon since you haven't set your 3810 on fire yet.


bibere usque ad hilaritatem
Re: Stereo Pre/Pro with HDMI or Digital, or..?
tomtuttle #314517 07/13/10 05:35 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458
"yet".

That there's funny.


::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
Re: Stereo Pre/Pro with HDMI or Digital, or..?
michael_d #314542 07/13/10 07:22 PM
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,466
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,466
Originally Posted By: michael_d
Does anyone know of a stereo pre amp with digital input? If not, any other ideas I haven’t already thought of?

You can build one:

One of the best DACs ever made; easily configured for stereo with S/PDIF input:
http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/digital/buffalo.aspx

Pre-amp board to be fed by the DAC:
http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/linestages/ivy.aspx

Volume control, if you don't want to be a 100% all the time:
http://www.twistedpearaudio.com/control/volumite.aspx

The boards are only assembled a few at a time, and sell out much quicker than he can build them.


Pioneer PDP-5020FD, Marantz SR6011
Axiom M5HP, VP160HP, QS8
Sony PS4, surround backs
-Chris
Re: Stereo Pre/Pro with HDMI or Digital, or..?
ClubNeon #314556 07/13/10 07:55 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,863
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,863
NAD M2 Direct Digital Amplifier

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this is in their masters series you didn't say any stated budget that i saw. ok um. on second though, its retail is like 6k$.... but it does seem to be the product your looking for!

btw... its amp seems to be pretty stout.....

2 X 250W Continuous Power at 8 and 4 Ohms

Re: Stereo Pre/Pro with HDMI or Digital, or..?
dakkon #314560 07/13/10 08:26 PM
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444
Likes: 16
M
connoisseur
OP Offline
connoisseur
M
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444
Likes: 16
Chris – What if I just send you my 1070 and you modify if for digital input? I don’t see myself making one anytime soon.

NAD master series…. I’ll have to look at that one. 6K is more than I was wanting to spend. $1500 is about my limit, which is what an Edge and Benchmark DAC would run (option #2). I’m not apposed to used either.

I would go with an AVR, but it has to look cool. Onkyo, Denon, HK are all out. It would have to Rotel or similar.

Tom – did I ever let you out of your room? Mark, he needs no encoragment. Thanks buddy…. smile

I hate HDMI. I really do...

Re: Stereo Pre/Pro with HDMI or Digital, or..?
michael_d #314561 07/13/10 08:34 PM
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,466
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,466
Get the Benchmark DAC1. smile


Pioneer PDP-5020FD, Marantz SR6011
Axiom M5HP, VP160HP, QS8
Sony PS4, surround backs
-Chris
Re: Stereo Pre/Pro with HDMI or Digital, or..?
ClubNeon #314599 07/14/10 02:45 AM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,863
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,863
Michael, yeah i was NOT expecting that thing to be 6k$$$$ i was thinking 1-2k$$ seems as though they REALLY like that unit eh?

Re: Stereo Pre/Pro with HDMI or Digital, or..?
michael_d #314601 07/14/10 03:01 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
Mike, I did spend some time pondering your question and came to a conclusion, but then your comment about Denon and Onkyo receivers rendered me helpless.


-----------------------------------

Enjoy the music, not the equipment.


Page 1 of 3 1 2 3

Moderated by  alan, Amie, Andrew, axiomadmin, Brent, Debbie, Ian, Jc 

Link Copied to Clipboard

Need Help Graphic

Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics24,940
Posts442,457
Members15,616
Most Online2,082
Jan 22nd, 2020
Top Posters
Ken.C 18,044
pmbuko 16,441
SirQuack 13,840
CV 12,077
MarkSJohnson 11,458
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 563 guests, and 1 robot.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newsletter Signup
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4