willyroo Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 I’m expanding my current 2 channel music system to enable 5.1 channels inside, and 2 speakers outside. You advice on setup would be greatly appreciated, on the basis that this system will be music first, HT second. This applies to the sub too... Current system: Arcam Alpha Integrated Amp. Has the phono stage, sounds like real music. Also has a 2nd set of speaker posts which may be useful for sub integration for music. The Arcam is 40 wpc of real watts – so more like 60 or 70 Japanese “WRMS” I guess? Arcam Alpha 7 CD player Vandersteen 1B floorstanders – real music here, boys and girls...an honest 40Hz Boston Acoustics CR7 from storage which I’ll use for rear fill – to be wall mounted Boston Acoustics CR6 for the (enclosed) rear deck Sharp LC-45G1X + AVC (1,080i) Hitachi DV-7000 DVD-RAM-RW which looks surprisingly good on the Sharp through S-Video Just bought: Denon AVR 3300 – which can do 5.1 and 7.1, preouts, and 2nd zone (just purchased from a fellow AVF member) Vandersteen VCC1 centre Will buy: Quad LS sub – only one I’ve heard so far and it sounds like music – although might try and pick up a used REL over the next 6 months. No real rush on this, but happy to take suggestions. Gefen HT scaler – upscales all signals to 1,080p via DVI (the Sharp screen will accept 1,080p – but no other signal - if I remove the AVC) X-Box 360 II – once the HD-DVD is available. This will control our PC which has the HD-DTV etc etc. It seems to me the best way to run the system is to use the Denon for the LFE, rears and centre speakers, then pre-out to the Arcam for the fronts – work out where unity gain is 10, 12 o’clock? For music, leave the turntable (ah yes that’s the real music bit) and the CD connected to the Arcam amp. The CD has 2 sets of analogue outputs – send these to the Denon - so there’s zone 2 sorted. I have no intention of running any video control through the receiver. Your experiences, suggestions etc please. In particular, the experiences of those who have run separate amps yet still achieved a coherent 5.1 experience would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
betty boop Posted January 25, 2007 Share Posted January 25, 2007 you are correct in the setup. Best to calibrate for front level with the 2ch amps vol knob in normal 2ch listenign position. check the htfaq sticky - link in my signature has plenty of links and info to threads on the topic. If lookign for a 2ch amp upgrade down the track can always update yoru arcam 2ch integrated to a current arcam eg the a90 integrated which has a ht bypass making integration even easier as for ht use you jsut hit use an input that bypasses the vol control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willyroo Posted January 25, 2007 Author Share Posted January 25, 2007 you are correct in the setup. Best to calibrate for front level with the 2ch amps vol knob in normal 2ch listenign position.check the htfaq sticky - link in my signature has plenty of links and info to threads on the topic. If lookign for a 2ch amp upgrade down the track can always update yoru arcam 2ch integrated to a current arcam eg the a90 integrated which has a ht bypass making integration even easier as for ht use you jsut hit use an input that bypasses the vol control. Arcam A90 oooo aaaa Appreciate the rest of the comments. The Quad L Sub sounds sensational (just had a listen) but at around $2K too much... will keep listening. Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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