18 replies to this topic

[alistairm]

I've been trying to crack the nut that is my TV set up and an throwing it open for suggestions.

I want a decent pre/pro or receiver (with pre-out) that'll do the lot... I only need 2 channels but suspect I'll have to go to a multi-channel unit to get what I want.

Any suggestions on something around the $2K mark... cheaper is fine too, as is secondhand.

Al

[alistairm]

PS - it looks like the prices for the big brand name receivers, like the Yamaha RX-A3010 have come down significantly.

I'm essentially looking for something to do the DAC work on the inferior sources, that sounds decent on it's own for flexibility, but has good pre-out to go to a high end power amp.

Al

[Shmonk]

There is an Arcam ht pre on eBay for $800 buy it now. It's a US model, comes with a step down transformer but I thought these had a switch to change voltage. Might be worth looking into. Leaves plenty left for the power amp.

http://www.ebay.com....9#ht_1283wt_922

[alistairm]

Will be powering everything with a Tom Evans Linear A at this stage!

[bhobba]

Hi Alistair

I think exactly what you want is the new NAD M51 DAC. It accepts HDMI in and has an output specifically for TV ie you run the HDMI in and plug the output into your TV.

http://nadelectronic...ect-Digital-DAC

The M51 offers two HDMI inputs and one output with video pass through. This opens up the possibility of using the M51 Direct Digital DAC as the heart of a "Video 2.0" system using the mandatory two-channel linear PCM soundtrack from Blu-ray or DVD to make a compelling two-channel high definition theatre presentation. Many symphony orchestras and some specialty music labels are also released in HD recordings on Blu-ray or DVD. The M51 is fully 3D video compatible but there is no surround sound decoding or video processing.

There are a couple of nice threads about it here on Stereonet - check them out. Its interested me enough to get one myself.

Thanks
Bill

Edited by bhobba, 29 March 2012 - 08:29 AM.

[alistairm]

Bill - if I could buy one in Sydney today I would... not sure where to get one though!

[alistairm]

NAD may not have enough HDMI inputs, now that I look more closely.

[bhobba]

NAD may not have enough HDMI inputs, now that I look more closely.

Bummer - wish you the best of luck in your search. And yea they are in short supply right now.

Thanks
Bill

[automated]

Emotiva XMC-1 ?
http://shop.emotiva....s/products/xmc1

[alistairm]

I love the Emotiva amps. I'd take a pair of XPA-1 monoblocks over most things 4x the price, including some gear regularly lauded in these parts.

But I've found their pre/pros involve too much troubleshooting and their straight pre somewhat veiled.

[automated]

I love the Emotiva amps. I'd take a pair of XPA-1 monoblocks over most things 4x the price, including some gear regularly lauded in these parts.

But I've found their pre/pros involve too much troubleshooting and their straight pre somewhat veiled.

You'd probably have to wait a while for the XMC-1 anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if its not out until later on in the year.

I have the USP-1 (and XPA-2) and find it incredibly transparent, what gear did you test it with?

[RockandorRoll]

looking for exactly the same thing. The NAD falls short by 1 HDMI input and its not black

using a Denon 4308 at the moment which seems to do an adequate job

[:) al]

think mentioned jdh's onkyo pre/pro, whcih would do all you want and well within price. but perhaps thats irelevant here as my comment went ignored in the wtb thread of yours.

plenty of avrs/receivers in the 2k mark. take your pick. all the brands have one that will do 2ch pre out. in processors youd be looking at second hand or the marantz av7005.

[A J]

Hi Alistair

I think exactly what you want is the new NAD M51 DAC. It accepts HDMI in and has an output specifically for TV ie you run the HDMI in and plug the output into your TV.

http://nadelectronic...ect-Digital-DAC

The M51 offers two HDMI inputs and one output with video pass through. This opens up the possibility of using the M51 Direct Digital DAC as the heart of a "Video 2.0" system using the mandatory two-channel linear PCM soundtrack from Blu-ray or DVD to make a compelling two-channel high definition theatre presentation. Many symphony orchestras and some specialty music labels are also released in HD recordings on Blu-ray or DVD. The M51 is fully 3D video compatible but there is no surround sound decoding or video processing.

There are a couple of nice threads about it here on Stereonet - check them out. Its interested me enough to get one myself.

Thanks
Bill

NAD may not have enough HDMI inputs, now that I look more closely.

I've got the NAD in a simlar setup, don't discount due to lack of HDMI, I run 3 A/V sources, HTPC, Apple TV and Oppo BDP83SE. I feed the Apple TV HDMI direct to the TV, getting the audio feed from the optical out. The other two are direct HDMI via NAD, it works, sounds amazing, and is easy. That Tom Evans amp looks very nice.

Edited by ajst2duk, 29 March 2012 - 04:54 PM.

[alistairm]

You'd probably have to wait a while for the XMC-1 anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if its not out until later on in the year.

I have the USP-1 (and XPA-2) and find it incredibly transparent, what gear did you test it with?

Something 10x the price, so not a fair comparison. But I think their power amps punch miles above their cost.

[Jventer]

Check out Len Wallis Second hand section, see amplification and miscellaneous. There are 2 x Rotel and an Edge processor. Don't know how good they are, just know about the site.

[alistairm]

Any thoughts on a NAD T775?

Edited by alistairm, 30 March 2012 - 08:14 AM.

[alistairm]

I ended up with a NAD T775HD, which is VERY underspecced but, to my ear and on the pretty crappy speakers in the demo set up, was less piquey and better sounding than the Yamaha offerings at a similar price point. This is unsurprising, because the Yamaha does so much more - multi-zone, upscaling HDMI sources, networkable - every bell & whistle under the sun basically.

[vmhf]

NAD gear is all about musicality without all the bells and whistles.

Let us know how it goes with the Tom Evans Linear.

Pics?