lovejoy76
02-13-08, 10:15 PM
I've decided its time to upgrade my audio experience in my living room. My goals:
1. Two channel stereo is the most important for me -- I want to put together an "entry level" audiophile system.
2. I'd like to reuse the fronts in my two channel setup as the fronts for a 5.1 setup, and get an "average" 5.1 system setup.
3. Spend < $4k.
What I currently have:
1. Sonic-T Amp.
2. Squeezebox streaming mostly lossless .WMA off my PC.
3. BIC America speakers - unmodded.
4. A harman/kardon AVR 325 sitting in the garage, unused.
What I'd like to do:
1. Move my existing two-channel setup upstairs -- it's good enough for occasional listening.
2. Upgrade my two channel setup. I spent the weekend demoing some high end gear, and I can't believe how much of Wilco's "Please Be Patient With Me" I've been missing. I'm ready to take the plunge, and here is what I am thinking:
- Amp: Onkyo A9555 or Rotel 1072/1092, or something similar.
- Speakers: Chorus 826V/807V, or Vienna Acoustic Mozarts
- Squeezebox
3. 5.1 setup. Use my existing HK AVR 325 as a 5.1 receiver. Buy a blu ray player, pick up the Chorus CC 800V center and perhaps some cheaper rears and in the long run, a subwoofer.
Questions:
1. I keep reading about HT Bypass -- is there a way I can wire the whole system together so that I don't have to switch my speakers around when I want to switch between 5.1 and stereo? Does the Onkyo A9555 have bypass ability?
2. Is it worth getting separates? I've read a bit about them but don't know if they are going to give me any additional "bang for the buck" at the price point I'd like to stay within. Are separates required to do the HT bypass?
3. What about a DAC for between the squeezebox and stereo AMP? The HK AVR325 has a DAC built in -- is that a reasonable DAC?
Does this make sense? Any help here would be greatly appreciated.
1. Two channel stereo is the most important for me -- I want to put together an "entry level" audiophile system.
2. I'd like to reuse the fronts in my two channel setup as the fronts for a 5.1 setup, and get an "average" 5.1 system setup.
3. Spend < $4k.
What I currently have:
1. Sonic-T Amp.
2. Squeezebox streaming mostly lossless .WMA off my PC.
3. BIC America speakers - unmodded.
4. A harman/kardon AVR 325 sitting in the garage, unused.
What I'd like to do:
1. Move my existing two-channel setup upstairs -- it's good enough for occasional listening.
2. Upgrade my two channel setup. I spent the weekend demoing some high end gear, and I can't believe how much of Wilco's "Please Be Patient With Me" I've been missing. I'm ready to take the plunge, and here is what I am thinking:
- Amp: Onkyo A9555 or Rotel 1072/1092, or something similar.
- Speakers: Chorus 826V/807V, or Vienna Acoustic Mozarts
- Squeezebox
3. 5.1 setup. Use my existing HK AVR 325 as a 5.1 receiver. Buy a blu ray player, pick up the Chorus CC 800V center and perhaps some cheaper rears and in the long run, a subwoofer.
Questions:
1. I keep reading about HT Bypass -- is there a way I can wire the whole system together so that I don't have to switch my speakers around when I want to switch between 5.1 and stereo? Does the Onkyo A9555 have bypass ability?
2. Is it worth getting separates? I've read a bit about them but don't know if they are going to give me any additional "bang for the buck" at the price point I'd like to stay within. Are separates required to do the HT bypass?
3. What about a DAC for between the squeezebox and stereo AMP? The HK AVR325 has a DAC built in -- is that a reasonable DAC?
Does this make sense? Any help here would be greatly appreciated.