Simon900 Posted February 4 Posted February 4 Hi Guys, I've got a Integra 60.7 which I don't think is very good for Stereo listening. I do about 50% Stereo and 50% Surround listening (gaming, Netflix, etc), and the Integra is a bit bland in the stereo listening. It was initially bought to go into a house, and we ended up getting a flat instead. So 3 zones, and 9.2 surround is a bit much as only one zone is being used and 5.1 for the surround. So I'm looking for a AV processor that that does good Stereo. My set-up is: Integra 60.7 ATI AT525 - 200watt/Ch 5 channel Class D with Hypex N-core Streaming Tidal via a MS Surface - Soon to be updated with a media PC to store Hi-res audio SACD player Emotive XDA-2 DAC Aurum Cantas Ribbons all round. V3F Mains, V4C Centre, Melody M-DS Di-pole rears JBL Pro-sub Acoustic panels on rear walls.
Hi-Fi Whipped Posted February 4 Posted February 4 Do you have a budget in mind? Arcam based Pre's from Arcam, AudioControl and JBL are popular for 2ch using Dirac Room Correction and DLBC. Prices start around $8k+ from memory. Marantz is also meant to be great $12k+ Your cheapest option might be fitting a 2ch Pre with HT Bypass in your system for 2ch listing, keep the 60.7 for HT duties. 3
Simon900 Posted February 4 Author Posted February 4 4 minutes ago, Hi-Fi Whipped said: Do you have a budget in mind? Arcam based Pre's from Arcam, AudioControl and JBL are popular for 2ch using Dirac Room Correction and DLBC. Prices start around $8k+ from memory. Marantz is also meant to be great $12k+ Your cheapest option might be fitting a 2ch Pre with HT Bypass in your system for 2ch listing, keep the 60.7 for HT duties. Probably around $2k. How does a HT by-pass connect? Would I run the DAC into the 2-channel Pre, then Interconnects into the Integra? I feel the Integra will do some of it's EQing and stifle it again. I do run the Integra in Direct mode, not in it's stereo mode. 1
Hi-Fi Whipped Posted February 4 Posted February 4 Our resident expert @Snoopy8 has a picture of this set-up which he may share. But the 2ch pre sits in between the 60.7 and the power amp. Your DAC would go straight into the 2ch Pre so the 60.7 unit is not engaged for 2ch listening. HT Bypass feature means that the 2ch pre volume control isn't activated when using the 60.7 so the ht calibration will always be true. Hope that makes sense. 2
Hi-Fi Whipped Posted February 4 Posted February 4 33 minutes ago, Simon900 said: Probably around $2k. How does a HT by-pass connect? Would I run the DAC into the 2-channel Pre, then Interconnects into the Integra? I feel the Integra will do some of it's EQing and stifle it again. I do run the Integra in Direct mode, not in it's stereo mode. Alternatively you could possibly pickup a secondhand Arcam Pre like the AV860 for around your budget. My Lexicon MC-10 uses the same platform and I enjoy music when using it and you get Dirac Live Room eq also which IME is a game changer. 1
Snoopy8 Posted February 4 Posted February 4 The setup could look like this (but will need to adjust for your setup). HT bypass is essentially fixed volume for L & R input from AVR. And can be simplified if not using subs for stereo. 31 minutes ago, Simon900 said: Probably around $2k. AV pre processors are at least $10K new, so very unlikely to even pick one up 2nd hand.... But possible for a stereo preamp. 2 1
betty boop Posted February 5 Posted February 5 Marantz is good as you go up chain … 2ch with ht bypass or a 2ch integrated for 2ch is easiest bet … run 2ch sources direct to 2ch pre or integrated and job done … leave integra as is 3
Simon900 Posted February 5 Author Posted February 5 4 hours ago, Snoopy8 said: The setup could look like this (but will need to adjust for your setup). HT bypass is essentially fixed volume for L & R input from AVR. And can be simplified if not using subs for stereo. AV pre processors are at least $10K new, so very unlikely to even pick one up 2nd hand.... But possible for a stereo preamp. That's awesome. Thanks for that. 1
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