Newbie - 2ch setup

[shiva7]

Hi all,

Goal is to setup a 2 ch stereo system - music (whatever format cd, sacd, dvd-audio, flac, mp3 etc.)
Budget 1K and existing gear as follow:

- oppo 95
- towers  PSB T6
- denon 2313ci ( movies only  ... separate system)

Tried analog output from oppo 95 through denon direct ... sound is a little bit " thin" ... I would like to hear something more round / fluffy ?!
What would be my best option using Emotiva gear?

Thank you for your help.

[repeetavx]

Run your Oppo through a Dc-1 DAC and an XPA-200. $900.00 total. You'll be set for a DAC for a while, but you'll get upgrade-itus for a new amp.

[Gary Cook]

Oct 22, 2013 18:11:04 GMT -5 shiva7 said:

Hi all,
Goal is to setup a 2 ch stereo system - music (whatever format cd, sacd, dvd-audio, flac, mp3 etc.)
Budget 1K and existing gear as follow:
- oppo 95
- towers PSB T6
- denon 2313ci ( movies only  ... separate system)
Tried analog output from oppo 95 through denon direct ... sound is a little bit " thin" ... I would like to hear something more round / fluffy ?!
What would be my best option using Emotiva gear?
Thank you for your help.

My opinion, your speakers need more grunt, the 105 watts (highly over rated) from the 2313 isn't enough. That's means a power amp upgrade and I'd be looking at at least 200 watts, genuine watts, all channels driven. There are plenty of Emotiva choices, 2 channel amps and monoblocks. An XPA-2 would do the job, or a pair of XPA-1's or XPA-1L's if you like the thought of pure Class A listening.

From memory the 2313 doesn't have pre amp outs, so that's a bit of a problem. If you are seriously chasing good stereo, then personally I'd be looking at a designated pre amp, say a USP-1 or an XSP-1. Plug the Oppo 95, which has good DAC, into the pre amp via XLR, then XLR to the power amp and you have a balanced system all the way. Consign the 2313 to HT duties.


Cheers
Gary

[Deleted]

And if you decide to buy a usp1 i have a mint condition one for sale

[jlafrenz]

Before you spend any money, I think that you should take a look at your listening environment. What is the room like and how do you have your speakers setup? Making these adjustments are no cost except your time and can provide significant improvements. After that, I would look at purchasing an amp and some acoustic treatments.

[bootman]

Oct 22, 2013 18:11:04 GMT -5 shiva7 said:

Hi all,

Goal is to setup a 2 ch stereo system - music (whatever format cd, sacd, dvd-audio, flac, mp3 etc.)
Budget 1K and existing gear as follow:

- oppo 95
- towers  PSB T6
- denon 2313ci ( movies only  ... separate system)

Tried analog output from oppo 95 through denon direct ... sound is a little bit " thin" ... I would like to hear something more round / fluffy ?!
What would be my best option using Emotiva gear?

Thank you for your help.

Same sound if you use HDMI?
Just trying to eliminate the Denon as your source of issues.

BTW what analog out did you use on the 95?

Hopefully the Stereo outs (full range signal) and not the FL and FR outs. (crossed over at whatever the sub is set to in the Oppo menu)

[shiva7]

Thank you all for your feedback.

Yes - stereo audio out from oppo into denon cd in (direct mode) ... one funny thing is oppo customer support suggested that with denon running direct mode i should be able to hear volume change when pressing vol + / vol - on oppo's remote ... there is no change in vol for me.

Denon direct mode and oppo hdmi connection - same sound (thin) a little louder with the main volume at same level?!

I might chase a ghost ... after all I grew up with turntables and reel to reel stereos - LOL

[Gary Cook]

Oct 23, 2013 18:45:53 GMT -5 shiva7 said:

Denon direct mode and oppo hdmi connection - same sound (thin) a little louder with the main volume at same level?!I might chase a ghost ... after all I grew up with turntables and reel to reel stereos - LOL

I don't think so, I've had a few Denon AVR's and I really liked them, but Emotiva separates are in a different league. I haven't heard a 2313 but the specs are a big give away, I suspect it just doesn't have enough grunt to drive your speakers.


Cheers
Gary

[jlafrenz]

The PSB T6's shouldn't require tons of power to drive them. I do say this without knowing the size of the room and the listening volume though. I agree that the Emotiva gear is a step up, but I still go back to placement and layout. There was a recent article in one of the stereo magazines that talked about the T6. The way they are designed, it requires the listener to sit a bit further back from them for cohesion. This is one of the reasons I stress the setup and environment in this situation.

[garbulky]

I would get amps above anything else. Anyone of Emo's amps will work well.

[knucklehead]

Oct 23, 2013 21:40:22 GMT -5 jlafrenz said:

The PSB T6's shouldn't require tons of power to drive them. I do say this without knowing the size of the room and the listening volume though. I agree that the Emotiva gear is a step up, but I still go back to placement and layout. There was a recent article in one of the stereo magazines that talked about the T6. The way they are designed, it requires the listener to sit a bit further back from them for cohesion. This is one of the reasons I stress the setup and environment in this situation.

This is what I'd do before throwing money/amps at the 'problem'. Which may be a speaker placement issue and not one of power. The PSB T6's are 91db efficient and play down to 32hz at + or - 3db - 8ohm with low dips to 4ohm which the 2313 should be able to handle. Speaker placement is the first thing one should look at. I can demonstrate the loss of low and mid range response with my ERT's simply by moving them back towards the wall 6-8". It makes a BIG difference.

Guys that chime in with "I'd buy an amp" may be right - but I'd be willing to bet there is a lot of sound quality that can be pulled out of a room simply by having some patience and trial and error.

[garbulky]

Oct 23, 2013 22:57:29 GMT -5 knucklehead said:

Oct 23, 2013 21:40:22 GMT -5 jlafrenz said:

The PSB T6's shouldn't require tons of power to drive them. I do say this without knowing the size of the room and the listening volume though. I agree that the Emotiva gear is a step up, but I still go back to placement and layout. There was a recent article in one of the stereo magazines that talked about the T6. The way they are designed, it requires the listener to sit a bit further back from them for cohesion. This is one of the reasons I stress the setup and environment in this situation.

This is what I'd do before throwing money/amps at the 'problem'. Which may be a speaker placement issue and not one of power. The PSB T6's are 91db efficient and play down to 32hz at + or - 3db - 8ohm with low dips to 4ohm which the 2313 should be able to handle. Speaker placement is the first thing one should look at. I can demonstrate the loss of low and mid range response with my ERT's simply by moving them back towards the wall 6-8". It makes a BIG difference.

Guys that chime in with "I'd buy an amp" may be right - but I'd be willing to bet there is a lot of sound quality that can be pulled out of a room simply by having some patience and trial and error.

I would have said that too but I post that so darn much that I was afraid I was coming off as a broken record.
Maybe the OP can post a picture of his room so we can take a look and give any suggestions.

[GreenKiwi]

That Oppo 95 is supposed to have very good DACs, right?

It has variable volume control too?

What about just getting a used (or new) XPA-5 and calling it a day?

The DC-1 is probably a slightly better DAC than the 95, but I don't know if it's worth the increase in cost, and I think that you'd need to have a HTBypass, unless you're using different speakers for your stereo than for your HT.

And actually, if that is the case, I'd keep the denon and use that for your HT, get a two channel amp and pull of the stereo out to a new amp and speakers. Effectively manual htbypass.