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Post by Boomzilla on May 22, 2018 3:17:24 GMT -5
OK - I surrender.
I've been dragged (kicking and screaming) to the conclusion that I do need a preamp or processor as the hub of my system. The primary tipping point was the factoid that I want to get away from the Oppo's "Sabre-DAC-glare."
And if I'm no longer going to use the Oppo as a processor, I also need to replace the other functions it (sometimes) provides including remote volume control, DLNA streaming over Ethernet, and bass management. If Ethernet streaming isn't possible, then I can work around it by getting the server computer onto the living room equipment rack.
With a processor, the Oppo would be completely out of the system except when playing discs.
My options, as they exist at this moment, range from the $700 Emotiva M700 up to the $5,500 Arcam FMJ AV860. Emo's RMC-1 is not yet released, and their XMC-1 is back ordered.
The best call (since the Oppo is working again for now - knock on wood) may be patience. I still have an Emotiva 40% discount card laying around, and when the RMC-1 is released, it may become a feasible purchase with the card.
But ultimately, the processor (or preamp) is going to become the central hub of the system, will be kept for a LONG time (relative to other equipment) and purchasing a better-than-average one may be justified.
Features that I'd like to have (but that aren't absolutely mandatory)
Balanced circuitry Stereo bass channels High quality, durable construction Good warranty with competent repair facilities if needed Silver faceplate rather than black motion-activated remote-control backlighting Ability to control wireless surround speakers Digital parametric equalizers instead of sound effects (no "stadium" need apply) Bypass mode for pure audio Don't care about extra zones Don't care about wireless or Bluetooth Good resale value (you marry your power amps, but you only date your processor)
Recommendations, please?
NuForce AVP-18?
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Post by Soup on May 22, 2018 5:22:08 GMT -5
Just pick up a new and/or used Anthem AVM 60 A/V Processor and your problems will melt away
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Post by Boomzilla on May 22, 2018 5:57:08 GMT -5
Just pick up a new and/or used Anthem AVM 60 A/V Processor and your problems will melt away Like my bank balance...
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on May 22, 2018 6:52:47 GMT -5
Looks for a used XMC-1.
Mark
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on May 22, 2018 9:09:04 GMT -5
I am currently using an Anthem AVM 60, which replaced a Marantz 8801. I could not be happier.
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Post by Bonzo on May 22, 2018 11:40:56 GMT -5
Don't forget when Marantz changed from the 8801 to the 8802 they stepped up their game, way up. So don't count it or the new 8805 out. The AVM-60, XMC-1 and 8802 are all rated very highly in terms of SQ. None of them are perfect, and all have their high points and low points. Pick which ever works best for you in terms of ergonomics, features, and budget.
Since you aren't super into surround sound, I don't think you need to worry about the tech getting old on you too quickly. I'm still using my old Denon from 2005 and it does everything important to me but Atmos. The problem is your lack of willingness to live with any component for very long. That's your issue, not processor tech.
You need a new house with 2 rooms, one for watching TV with fixed wiring inside the walls, and one for 2 channel, with exposed wires to change around stuff.
Just my 2 cents, which I know you won't follow anyway.😉
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Post by Bonzo on May 22, 2018 11:45:23 GMT -5
Once you have a processor, you can use the 205 for movies, and buy a used 105 for music. That way you can go back to the sound you know you liked and quit putting up with and bitching about the 205. And that's why lots of connection options is a good thing.
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Post by Bonzo on May 22, 2018 11:52:08 GMT -5
And like I said, you went out and bought an Arcam. Nice!
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on May 22, 2018 12:28:18 GMT -5
Once you have a processor, you can use the 205 for movies, and buy a used 105 for music. That way you can go back to the sound you know you liked and quit putting up with and bitching about the 205. And that's why lots of connection options is a good thing. I have a used 105 for sale... Mark
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bootman
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Typing useless posts on internet forums....
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Post by bootman on May 22, 2018 12:37:24 GMT -5
...And if I'm no longer going to use the Oppo as a processor, I also need to replace the other functions it (sometimes) provides including remote volume control, DLNA streaming over Ethernet, and bass management. If Ethernet streaming isn't possible, then I can work around it by getting the server computer onto the living room equipment rack. A preamp should perform volume control, signal switching and if running more than 2ch, base management. (I also include any room correction) It is the job of a source to do everything else given the state of change that source formats go through over time. I consider DLNA streaming just another source no different than playing a disk. As far as a NuForce AVP-18? "Cough UMC-200 cough"
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Post by Soup on May 22, 2018 12:44:59 GMT -5
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Post by Bonzo on May 22, 2018 12:46:06 GMT -5
Once you have a processor, you can use the 205 for movies, and buy a used 105 for music. That way you can go back to the sound you know you liked and quit putting up with and bitching about the 205. And that's why lots of connection options is a good thing. I have a used 105 for sale... Mark I'm actually considering selling the one I just got last fall. It simply does not sound as nice as my Denon Universal player. Then again, its better than my Panny Bluray player. I really need to wait until I can hook all my new stuff up until making a decision. Who knows when that will be.
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Post by Boomzilla on May 23, 2018 7:28:19 GMT -5
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Post by Bonzo on May 23, 2018 8:38:34 GMT -5
Ya got me! But, I've never really done that before. I still have my old original stuff from the late 80's, including the best most kick a$$ 5-CD tray player Sony ever made. I'm just a bit disappointed with the 105. We'll see. I might just keep it knowing its a great Bluray player. What I would like to add to the term sabre glare, is emptiness, or perhaps hollowness, with a little etched sort of sound. Its just not full and rounded and completely natural like my Denon. It certainly has a more analytical sound to it. Hence why I need to put the Denon back in the chain. But I haven't heard the Marantz yet either.
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Post by Boomzilla on May 23, 2018 8:44:06 GMT -5
OK, Bonzo - you KNOW I couldn't resist! LOL
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Post by USNRet on May 23, 2018 10:05:37 GMT -5
My -203 HDMI input works just fine from Roku or nNidia Shield with output to TV or McIntosh processor.
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Post by AudioHTIT on May 23, 2018 16:37:14 GMT -5
I’m mystified too, a lot of people successfully use the Oppo as a decoder / ‘preamp’, but cable boxes can be finicky. Since you don’t like the sound of the Oppo DAC it makes sense to quit swimming upstream. I’d also vote for a used XMC-1, if you can hold off a while there should be a few more for sale, and selling the Oppo should put a big dent in the cost.
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Post by restless on May 23, 2018 16:46:12 GMT -5
I have this problem as well with a 203.
Connect 203 to TV, insert CD, play CD -- should have sound to TV
THEN select the HDMI input option, turn on the other input. Should now play on TV.
IF I do not play directly from the OPPO first, the selection of the 2nd HDMI input will have no sound or picture.
In my case, it does not matter if you connect the OPPO directly to TV or connect via a XMC-1. There will be no audio to the XMC-1 unless you first play sound via the OPPO.
IF you stop the connection for any reason, you have to go back to playing from the OPPO first before switching back to the HDMI INPUT option.
This was all because the new OPPO 203 does not have Pandora, and my older OPPO had that option, so the older model is connected to the new 203 via HDMI input.
Hope this helps. John
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Post by emofrmcgy on May 23, 2018 17:57:40 GMT -5
Just pick up a new and/or used Anthem AVM 60 A/V Processor and your problems will melt away Like my bank balance... Yet you bought an arcam. You are a baffling gentleman boom.
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Post by Boomzilla on May 23, 2018 18:28:12 GMT -5
Sometimes, you can find genuine bargains by shopping in the "economy sector." Things that perform far more pleasantly than their modest costs would indicate. In fact, that's how I encountered Emotiva.
Sometimes, you can find amazing bargains by shopping in the used market. But it's much like betting - never gamble more than you can afford to lose.
And sometimes, it's just more cost-efficient to go ahead and spend the money for whatever you think you need to get the job done. My Arcam purchase is in this category. It wasn't cheap, but I'm pretty sure that I'd have been ultimately disappointed with anything less. There are a plethora of less-expensive AVRs, but the vast majority of them seem constructed in the expectation of obsolescence far in advance of conclusion of the (short) service life. In other words, they'll be discarded because they're obsolete even before they wear out and quit working. And they quit working pretty soon after they're bought.
Now many are perfectly happy with the rapid turnover cycle - They expect to replace their AVR every two or three years because the one they bought was obsolete before they got it home from the store where they bought it.
Newest features? GOTTA HAVE! The group who buy on specifications just love the churn. But even those who are motivated to retain those parts of the system that don't go obsolete (the power amps, usually) do have to periodically update their front ends. This week's features, codecs, and standards are obsolete more quickly than the magazines that report on them. But I digress...
I bought the Arcam with the intention of keeping it for a while. For those who don't think that I'm capable of doing that, may I point out that I bought ONE Oppo BDP-105, and kept it through thick and thin until the UDP-205 came out. It was powerful, flexible, versatile, and bullet-proof. The money I spent on that player was well spent, and it served me faithfully for many years.
The Oppo UDP-205, that I had hopes would be as great a machine as the BDP-105, has turned out to be unpleasant-sounding and trouble-prone. I hope the Arcam does better.
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