Better 2-channel music


My system consists of the Marantz SR7007, a pair of Emotiva XPA-1 mono blocks, Emotiva XPA-3 for center and surround, Rythmik 15HP sub, Oppo 103, Focal 1000 Be II series front and center, Infinity IL10 surround and back. I listen music from CD and different digital sources and movies from bluray DVD and Netflix, Amazon... My complaint is the Marantz doesn't deliver the quality of 2-channel audio as I expected. My plan is to upgrade either to Emotiva XMC-1 or Marantz AV8802. All suggestions and advices will be greatly appreciated.
128x128philkoan

Showing 24 responses by philkoan

If I replace my current Marantz SR7007 by the AV8801, will the AV8801 deliver quality stereo? Should I put a DAC such as the Oppo HA-1 between the AV8801 and a pair Emotiva XPA-1s?
Thank you Loomisjohnson, Pkelly1504, Akg_ca, and Zd542. I've got the idea now. Will the Emotiva XSP-1 be a good choice?
If I connect Oppo 103D --> Oppo HA-1 --> 2-channel power amp --> front speakers, would the Oppo HA-1 considered as a good 2 channel preamp? I can then bypass the stereo signal from the Marantz AV8801 through the Oppo HA-1 so it doesn't affect the performance of the 2 channel music when the Marantz is off.
I don't have a chance to try some quality preamps, but I think direct connection from the Oppo 103D to a pair of Emotiva XPA-1 gives the purest sound I have ever heard. Thank you George and Loomisjohnson.
Elevick, Oppo 103 is good for movies, and I won't be thinking of the 105. This week, the local store will set up several CD players including Cambridge, Naim, Mac...for me to compare. I don't think I'll go that far. The Cambridge 851C fits my need because it has digital input source, good CD player, and 2 channel preamp.
Zd542,
I love music with pure sound, yet sound is complicate to me. That why I'm here to take advices and learn especially what high end equipment can improve the quality of sound. Different individuals have different ways of experiencing sound of music. you're right when saying we need to hear to know what we're looking for but not just read the specs of a certain piece of equipment. I think we need both. Learning the spec just like preparing homework, then go to a show room to do the first test, and if impossible, take the piece home and integrate into our own system to see if it fits our need.
I've realized that you and Bob have different views in experiencing the quality of sound, and the differences sometimes go from rich knowledge to subjective emotion that usually influences our judgments as well as reading other's point of view.
Again, I'm here to learn before investing more to improve my system. Therefor, all advices are greatly and truthfully appreciate.
Thank you.
Phil
Yesterday I was at an audio - HT store. The gentlemen tried to sell me the McIntosh TX121 for a pretty good price. His system consists of
CD Player ($3500, forgot the name) --> McIntosh TX121
--> Rotel-RB-1582 --> Focal 1038be.
He set the McIntosh to CD Direct.The sound was much better than mine at home. My question is if the McIntosh stereo circuitry has any thing to do with the signal coming out from the $3500 CD player. He didn't hook up and test the 7.1 surround sound so I didn't know if It's worth for extra cost in the case I decide to choose it instead of the Marantz either AV8801 or AV8802.
Thank you for your inputs. Phil
After I bought a pair of Focal Electra 1038be II then the Focal Electra 1000be center, I gradually added Emo XPA-2, Emo XPA-1s, and the Emo XPA-5 will be delivered today. I chose Emotiva amps because they are good enough but didn't break my bank. Now it's the time to give the Marantz SR7007 a new home (upstars). The Marantz AV8801 is definitely a steal for $1495 although I can get the Marantz AV8802 for $3200, more than twice the AV8801 with just a few atmos movies. Just as Bob recommended, just live with the AV8801 for three years, then move to 8802 or 8803.
My second option is add a good CD player such as Cambridge Audio 851 series and a good stereo preamp or run directly to the Emo XPA-1. What do you think?
Elevick, I have 2 offers from an audio-HT store: The Mac MX121 for $4800 or the Marantz AV8802 for $3200. I can also upgrage to the Marantz AV8801 and either Conrad Johnson ET3se (pair with my current Oppo 103) or Cambridge- Azur 851C (better CD player, not as good as Conrad Johnson preamp). I watch movies from bluray and Netflix and listen to music from all different sources.
I will buy the Cambridge 851C now. It's $1800 but I can keep it for a long time. Hold on the Marantz AV8801 or AV8802 now to try the 851 with my SR7007. Do you think Emotiva XMC-1 is worth the price increase? I can buy now for $2000 with summer sale and e-club. Mac amps are nice but cost 10 times. Emotiva XPA-1s and XPA-5 are only $2500. They deliver enough juice and pretty clean. What dpecific model of PS Audio Conditioner do you recommend? I don't think I can afford Nordost cables. :)
Elevick,
I can't agree more. I've been thinking of moving from a receiver to a pre/pro. In this case from SR7007 to AV8801, (not AV8802), and use the price difference to buy the Cambridge Azur 851C, CD player, DAC and stereo preamp. I don't have a sound proof movie theatre, and moving into Dolby Atmos involves replacing and adding 6-8 speakers with cutting hole and wiring in wall. My question to you is that how to connect the Oppo, Cambridge, Marantz, and power amps so I don't have to use some types of switch. T
Thank you elevick.
Zd542, I heard you, and thank you.
My question to you is that people talking about using decent stereo preamp and HT surround pre/pro bypass. How can it be done if I have the Oppo 103, Cambridge 851C CD player, DAC and stereo preamp and a set of Emotiva amps then speakers.
I really need help!
Runnin, I didn't have a chance to A/B between 103 and 105, but I believe the 105 is far superior to 103 especially the analog stereo. I bought the 103 right after a "test drive" at a local audio HT store, and that was a mistake! I hope that keeping the 103 for movies (mostly from Amazon, Netflix, and Vudu) and investing in the Cambridge Audio Azur 851C for CDs and internet streaming music is the right choice. What do you think?
I have neither a movie theatre nor a separate rom for 2 channel music. My family room is also open to all other rooms on the almost 2000 square feet first floor. And I think that is the trend of future set up for most families for convenience and space limitation.
I understand Emotiva has no way to compare with other legendary brand names such as Mac, Bryston... but those amps cost 5-10 times more. I have 2 XPA-1, XPA-5 and XPA3 about $3200. At least they are pretty clean driving my Focal Electra 1038be II and 1000be center. For surround, I still keep my 20 year old Infinity Interlude IL10. when I'm satisfied with the rest, I'll replace them by Focal Aria SR900 array.
My question: Is the Cambridge Azur 851C today and the Marantz AV8802 6 months from now the right move? I won't touch the Emotiva XMC-1 for too many unpredictable factors.
Thank you.
That's what I need to know before ordering the Cambridge Audio Azur 851C. Thank you Zd542.
Thank you Elevick. I take your advice and hold on the Marantz AV8801 or AV8802 but try the Cambridge 851C first. Crutchfield has 60 days to try.
Zd542 and/or Elevick. How would you compare the quality of movie sound between the Marantz AV8801 and Marantz SR7007 using 7 channel output to a 7 channel power amp? Would the difference be significant?
Elevick, so you said it's unnecessary to upgrade from SR7007 using only 7 channel outputs to AV8801, unless I move to AV8802 for Dolby Atmos. It was my mistake to choose 103 instead of 105, but the Cambridge 851C should be as good as or even better than 105 just the CD player part.
The Cambridge 851C doesn't have balanced or unbalanced inputs to accept 2 front channels from the Marantz Av8802. We can't do HT bypass.
I've just realized that besides a good CD player and a good DAC, a very good 2 channel preamp is the key and the heart of the system.
Zd542, Regardless what surround processor I'll upgrade in the future, is the Emotiva XSP-1 worth to try as a 2 channel preamp? I have til 7/15 to get the last chance of 20% off, or $800.
Zd542, my friend suggested Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2 for digital music sources. Your advice?
Emotiva Stealth DC-1 is the solution. I connect

Oppo 103 -------> Emo XPA1--> Focal 1038Be
Marantz SR7007 --> Emo DC-1 -->
Computer -------> Emo XPA1--> 1038Be

The sound is clean and detail.
Next step is to replace the SR7007 by the AV8802A and add 4 ceiling speakers.