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DAC, Integrated amp, connection questions - help!

2945 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by RayDunzl, Mar 26, 2015

Aja1

Discussion Starter · Mar 26, 2015

My set-up:
Marantz SR-6008 receiver
Emotiva XPA-300 amp (I may be off on the model# - it was their entry level 5 channel amp a few years ago)
Oppo BDP-105
Dynaudio Focus 110 Front R&L
In ceiling C, surrounds

Obviously I use the Emotiva instead of the Marantz for 5 channel power.

For two channel cd sound, the Oppo uses the Marantz's DAC for 2 channel output, since I have it connected via HDMI (I think?)

My local stereo shop has been preaching the benefits of adding a separate integrated amp to handle the front L &R speakers (one with a home theater pass through). So the integrated amp just acts like a power amp for 5-channel sources, but provides the DAC and output directly for 2-channel sources.

I am confident that I will be 100% happy relying on the Oppo's DAC, so it seems like I don't need the integrated amp. But how can I ensure that I am getting the Oppo's DAC and not the Marantz's? Part of my problem is that I have a hard time grasping HDMI, I'm used to the old way of separate connections for audio and video.

To summarize questions:
-Does an integrated amp provide anything more than better DAC than the Marantz?

-How do I ensure I'm getting the Oppo's DAC during 2 channel playback?

-Is there a way and would it be desirable to connect the Oppo directly to the Emotiva bypassing any interruption from the Marantz for just 2 channel playback. Are there risks?

This is a lot, but I would appreciate any input.

Thanks!
Ben

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FMW

· #2 · Mar 26, 2015

Aja1 said:
To summarize questions:
-Does an integrated amp provide anything more than better DAC than the Marantz?

Not unless it can decode files that the Marantz cannot decode.

-How do I ensure I'm getting the Oppo's DAC during 2 channel playback?

By connecting it to the Marantz using an analog connection.

-Is there a way and would it be desirable to connect the Oppo directly to the Emotiva bypassing any interruption from the Marantz for just 2 channel playback. Are there risks?

No advantage that I can imagine one way or the other. The Oppo can be a preamp and so can the Marantz. In your shoes I would imagine using the Marantz as the control center would be more convenient. Connect the Oppo via analog connections if you want it to do the digital decoding.

For the most part you should not take audio advice from a dealer. Their goal is to sell you something, not to educate you.

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Aja1

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 26, 2015

Thanks, FMW. So I guess it is then a Marantz set-up question. Since I need to have the HDMI connection for DVD's, I need to tell it to use the analog connections for the CD input. If only I knew how to do that!

Thanks again.

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Segaboy

· #4 · Mar 26, 2015

You can use the analog audio output and the HDMI on the Oppo BDP-105 at the same time.

Just use the analog RCA CD input on the Marantz from the analog audio output of the Oppo, and then keep your HDMI as you already are doing.

When you want to listen to CD, just flip the Marantz to the CD input. Voila!

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Aja1

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 26, 2015

Segaboy, I want to believe you! But is there a way to know that is the connection being used on the CD input? The system to assign inputs on this receiver is more complicated than this 41 year old old-school trained guy can figure out!

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RayDunzl

· #6 · Mar 26, 2015

Aja1 said:
Segaboy, I want to believe you! But is there a way to know that is the connection being used on the CD input? The system to assign inputs on this receiver is more complicated than this 41 year old old-school trained guy can figure out!

Unplug a channel from the Oppo while it is playing.

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