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Post by redog on Mar 27, 2014 19:47:33 GMT -5
The time has come now that my speakers are in place. I am debating the importance of room correction, and that has led me to the possibility of using the 105 as a preamp.
If anyone here with experience with these two products could help me with there impressions I would appreciated it.
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Post by Gary Cook on Mar 27, 2014 21:56:47 GMT -5
It depends on how good or bad your room is acoustically, if it needs lots of correction then direct from the 105 might not be a good idea,
Cheers
Gary
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Post by Boomzilla on Mar 28, 2014 7:54:55 GMT -5
I'm planning to use MY 105 as an AV preamp. To date, I've used it only as a stereo preamp. I've had AVRs in my room with room correction. I was, personally, NOT impressed with ANY room-correction scheme that I've heard to date. The system just sounds better to me without the correction. Since you need a player anyway (unless I misunderstand your post), then yes, get the Oppo 105. You won't regret it. Try it as a "standalone" AV preamp. Then, if you really think you need room correction, then get an AV preamp. I'm betting that once you hear the 105 (even sans room correction) that you'll be pleased. Borrow some amps if need be to try out the Oppo.
Also keep in mind that the stand-alone power amps (and particularly Emotiva's) will surpass the sound of ANY AVR's built in amps.
Cheers - Boom
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Post by redog on Mar 28, 2014 8:16:14 GMT -5
I'm planning to use MY 105 as an AV preamp. To date, I've used it only as a stereo preamp. I've had AVRs in my room with room correction. I was, personally, NOT impressed with ANY room-correction scheme that I've heard to date. The system just sounds better to me without the correction. Since you need a player anyway (unless I misunderstand your post), then yes, get the Oppo 105. You won't regret it. Try it as a "standalone" AV preamp. Then, if you really think you need room correction, then get an AV preamp. I'm betting that once you hear the 105 (even sans room correction) that you'll be pleased. Borrow some amps if need be to try out the Oppo. Also keep in mind that the stand-alone power amps (and particularly Emotiva's) will surpass the sound of ANY AVR's built in amps. Cheers - Boom Ya, I have not been a fan of the audyssey on my marantz. Always sounds best in direct mode. |
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Post by routlaw on Mar 28, 2014 11:03:21 GMT -5
The time has come now that my speakers are in place. I am debating the importance of room correction, and that has led me to the possibility of using the 105 as a preamp. If anyone here with experience with these two products could help me with there impressions I would appreciated it. I can't specifically address your exact question, but do have the Oppo 103 directly driving two XPA-1 (Gen 2) mono blocks, and XPA-3 for the Center and two surrounds and its working just fine. Initially I had some ground loop hum issues due to the 5 meter single ended (RCA) interconnects being used for the C, RS, LS part but have now worked that out. It sounds just fine. RF & LF channels run through the XSP-1 pre via balanced IC's and the HT Bypass. Would it sound better with the XMC-1? Probably, and once its available perhaps I will purchase that too but in the meantime I'm not missing room correction, but do have a some acoustical treatments (DIY) that is beneficial. Hope this helps. |
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Post by redog on Mar 28, 2014 11:09:59 GMT -5
The time has come now that my speakers are in place. I am debating the importance of room correction, and that has led me to the possibility of using the 105 as a preamp. If anyone here with experience with these two products could help me with there impressions I would appreciated it. I can't specifically address your exact question, but do have the Oppo 103 directly driving two XPA-1 (Gen 2) mono blocks, and XPA-3 for the Center and two surrounds and its working just fine. Initially I had some ground loop hum issues due to the 5 meter single ended (RCA) interconnects being used for the C, RS, LS part but have now worked that out. It sounds just fine. RF & LF channels run through the XSP-1 pre via balanced IC's and the HT Bypass. Would it sound better with the XMC-1? Probably, and once its available perhaps I will purchase that too but in the meantime I'm not missing room correction, but do have a some acoustical treatments (DIY) that is beneficial. Hope this helps. So you have no hum/hiss using the oppo 103 direct? was your oppo purchased recently? now im thinking 103d direct to amp! |
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Post by routlaw on Mar 28, 2014 13:20:02 GMT -5
So you have no hum/hiss using the oppo 103 direct? was your oppo purchased recently? now im thinking 103d direct to amp! At this point yes its pretty quiet. If you put your ear right up next to the speakers you can barely detect some noise, but it took several tries at routing and rerouting cables to get there. However let me also add while trouble shooting the situation using only 1 meter IC's with the 103 directly driving all amps it was quiet as a church mouse, pretty much dead quiet. At some point I will probably belly up to the bar with the XMC-1 and go all balanced due to the length of cables I use. Note we have a projection system rather than TV and thus this requires the source gear to be off to the side, amps below the screen with longer runs of cable. Previously the setup had a 7 channel amp of smaller dimensions also off to the side but with longer speaker cables. The point of all this is, if you are using shorter runs of RCA cables and be very careful with routing you'll probably have a very quiet, simple and efficient system. The 103 sounds great as is FWIW even though it uses DACS that do not seem to enjoy as much press as the Sabre Dacs. I would describe it as warm, open yet very detailed. Always always easy to listen to, never fatiguing. Also worth pointing out, I do have an external DAC that uses the Sabre 9018 dac chipset. Its sounds different than the 103 make no mistake. Better? Its very subjective. The 105 does have some advantages, not the least of which is the second set of balanced outs for music only. Something to consider. Currently I use the DC-1 for music unless its SACD etc. Hope this helps. Rob |
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Post by moovtune on Mar 28, 2014 13:54:52 GMT -5
I'm planning to use MY 105 as an AV preamp. To date, I've used it only as a stereo preamp. I've had AVRs in my room with room correction. I was, personally, NOT impressed with ANY room-correction scheme that I've heard to date. The system just sounds better to me without the correction. Since you need a player anyway (unless I misunderstand your post), then yes, get the Oppo 105. You won't regret it. Try it as a "standalone" AV preamp. Then, if you really think you need room correction, then get an AV preamp. I'm betting that once you hear the 105 (even sans room correction) that you'll be pleased. Borrow some amps if need be to try out the Oppo. Also keep in mind that the stand-alone power amps (and particularly Emotiva's) will surpass the sound of ANY AVR's built in amps. Cheers - Boom Ya, I have not been a fan of the audyssey on my marantz. Always sounds best in direct mode. Your 1403 only has the Multi EQ version. I wouldn't base your opinion of Audyssey on that rather basic version. There are two more version above that, much more sophisticated. |
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Post by redog on Mar 28, 2014 14:16:09 GMT -5
Ya, I have not been a fan of the audyssey on my marantz. Always sounds best in direct mode. Your 1403 only has the Multi EQ version. I wouldn't base your opinion of Audyssey on that rather basic version. There are two more version above that, much more sophisticated. Not trying to be snarky here, but why would marantz put a sub par version of audyssey in a receiver they still sell? |
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Post by ribbonking on Mar 28, 2014 14:53:07 GMT -5
The NR 1403 is a relatively inexpensive receiver at $399.00 list. The dealer has to make a profit, too. Marantz has to make cost compromises to hit the price point.
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Post by solarrdadd on Mar 28, 2014 18:14:56 GMT -5
redog, i currently have a 105 connected directly to a UPA-200 via RCA interconnects powering a pair of Polk Audio SDA-2 speakers and i will never trade it in or get rid of it. this is the way to go for me and my 2 channel needs. i have the oppo networked so i can stream audio from my NAS (up to 192/24 & DSD), of course is the obvious blu-ray audio, blu-ray movies, SACD's DVD-a & CD's. i also have a 2tb HD connected to it too. also, i created a USB to 3.5mm cable to trigger the amp on from the 105 cause i'm smart like that!   i love the sound from the dedicated 2 channel out section of the 105. i have real, full range speakers so i do not use a sub. i can't recommend a 105-direct amp combo enough. worth it, every penny of it.  my friend, i have never been happier! |
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Post by FLcanuck on Mar 28, 2014 18:49:32 GMT -5
redog, i currently have a 105 connected directly to a UPA-200 via RCA interconnects powering a pair of Polk Audio SDA-2 speakers and i will never trade it in or get rid of it. this is the way to go for me and my 2 channel needs. i have the oppo networked so i can stream audio from my NAS (up to 192/24 & DSD), of course is the obvious blu-ray audio, blu-ray movies, SACD's DVD-a & CD's. i also have a 2tb HD connected to it too. also, i created a USB to 3.5mm cable to trigger the amp on from the 105 cause i'm smart like that! i love the sound from the dedicated 2 channel out section of the 105. i have real, full range speakers so i do not use a sub. i can't recommend a 105-direct amp combo enough. worth it, every penny of it. my friend, i have never been happier! +1. I'm running the 105 straight to a pair of XPA-1s (Gen 1) for 2-channel and I'm very happy with the results - great sound and very simple system (even for a multi-channel set-up). And I'm not planning on any changes any time soon. It's at least worth giving it a try to see how things work with your equipment and your room. |
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Post by wizardofoz on Mar 29, 2014 0:28:52 GMT -5
I had the 105 in a similar setup but the minimum volume level (1) was too loud in my mind for a really granular level of control. If you always play from moderate levels and up you will be OK. I now use a Parasound P7 7.1 channel preamp (no digital/hdmi etc just good old analogue. Its a very sweet piece of gear and if you can get a second hand one you can be very happy. This is great when I watch DTS concert material or listen to MC SACD's  it supports phono (MM/MC) which is handy, plus about 6 more RCA 2 channel inputs plus stereo balanced inputs that I also hook up the OPPO balanced out too plus the stereo RCA too as there are plenty of inputs. Then I run the 7.1 RCA outputs from the Oppo to the P7 multichannel inputs. Oh and the fully balanced outputs are a nice option too. there are trigger outs for the P7 on (all inputs) and a trigger for the MC inputs - so my active speakers setup is on the 1st trigger (2 x XPA5-G2's) and the Surround and centre amps (3 UPA-1's) on the 2 MC trigger. there is also a trigger controlled by the remote or the likes of a screen or pj or lights or whatever. Im loving it all! The option could be something like an Audio Refinement Pre5 (I still have one - but its retired and up for sale) that is much more basic (5.1 only) but is a cheaper option. When the XMC-1 comes I might have to retying things as I could end up with the UMC-1 available or maybe even get 2 XMC-1's - the XMC is still cheaper than a new P7 with the 25% off or $:$ at retail. |
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