[damonm]

Good morning,


sorry for the long rambling post.


I am looking for some help and suggestions as I transition from a HT surround set up to 2 channel. It was something i have been thinking about for a while and started the actual move this weekend.


My "former" system: Arcam AVR350/Denon 2930 universal/PS3 for BD/B&W N804 mains/Mirage Omnisat surrounds/B&W center (mid-range, don't remember the model #)/DefTech Supercube II sub


New system: McIntosh C220 tube pre/MacCormack DNA-1 Rev A Amp/B&W N804 mains.


I would say that i listen to 60-65% 2 channel audio and the remainder HT (whether movies or cable). I live in a 2BR apt in NYC so separate listenting rooms is not an option.


Now, in the former system, the AVR350 did not pull audio from HDMI so all bluray and DD/DTS signals were sent to the AVR350 via digital cable. Obviously this is no longer an option with the Mac pre.


The PS3's analog connection via the scart cable is pretty abysmal so I am looking for suggestions for good bluray players that will output a good 2 channel analog signal decoded from the various advanced formats and I'll sell the PS3 since i don't really play games.


Also, the Denon 2930 is starting to act a little picky in which cds it will play. It doesn't seem to have problems with SACDs or DVD-A's. Not sure what the issue is, but it has me thinking about options to basically acquire all new (or used) source units.


At this point, it does not seem that it is the time to jump into the universal BD/SACD/DVD-A/DVD/CD market. It seems that 2 or 3 devices is the way to go. Unfortunately, I'm a bit space constrained as the pre and amp both need some breathing room in my cabinet.


The most likely option would be to go with a BD/DVD player and a solid CD/SACD player (DVD-a is not essential, only have a few titles anyway). The used market has plenty of good value in the CD/SACD player, but what would you guys suggest as a good video source that will handle audio processing down to 2 channel analog well?


Second option may be to go with an external DAC. One thing i was curious about is how good bluray/dvd players are at downsampling surround and hi-res surround formats to LPCM 2.0? I could even consider keeping the PS3 and outputting 2 channel LPCM from BD to the DAC while i wait for the BD/universal player market to mature. I would then keep the Denon 2930 for SACD since it doesn't choke on any SACD's, just many redbook CDs. But this option is going to run square into my space constraints issue.


I am open to any suggestions, please let me know what you think. I am completely comfortable with audiogon and the used market.


thanks,


damon

 

[mbyrnes]

 This is a pretty good option for a player.


I am pretty sure you would need an external DAC to do what you want. I honestly do not know the best way to get the best sound out of a player going to analog inputs. Someone else will help.

 

[cacophony777]

Just get a Denon 1940ci for ~$90 online (brand new). It's got a nice DAC, pure direct mode, and handles everything except BD.

 

[damonm]



Quote:
Originally Posted by mbyrnes /forum/post/16894311

This is a pretty good option for a player.


I am pretty sure you would need an external DAC to do what you want. I honestly do not know the best way to get the best sound out of a player going to analog inputs. Someone else will help.

thanks for your reply. I had begun to look at the oppo player. I have started digging to try to find some answers about the quality of the analog section, but this is just so much information to dig through and unfortunately a lot of internet noise in the discussions. It may be worth a try however...even if it doesn't work out for my needs, i'm certain to be able to sell it at not much of a loss.

Quote:
Originally Posted by cacophony777 /forum/post/16895801


Just get a Denon 1940ci for ~$90 online (brand new). It's got a nice DAC, pure direct mode, and handles everything except BD.

wow, that's cheap. I will look into this player, thanks for the recommendation. certainly could be a good bridge option while i continue to use the PS3 for BD and get all this sorted out.


thanks,


-damon

 

[damonm]

so after some research and thinking...I'm leaning toward the oppo player as a universal player for now. I still have not found that much information on the 2 channel analog side, but i think it's a good starting point.


I have also looked at some higher end used CD players to add later. A strong candidate in this area is the Cambridge Audio 840C. Not only does it have stellar reviews as an upsampling cdp, it provides for 2 digital inputs so it can double as an external DAC for my cable box and connection to all the music i have stored on my computer. but that can wait a little while for sure.


i'd appreciate any further comments on this approach and any feedback on the 840c would be very much appreciated as well.


-damon

 

[blueboxer]

6ave has the Pioneer Elite BDP05FD on sale for $450, it's received fairly solid reviews across the board.