Product A, that may cause some grief or more $$ product B

[brubacca]

I really want to keep this product nonspecific to start. I do have a scenario in mind with actual products, but for now want to leave this vague.

Let's say you want to upgrade your system. There are two products that meet this need sonically. They are very similar ( at least to me) in performance and it is the features and price that differ.

Which would you get?

Product A, - $500- This product would function well, but doesn't necessarily meet the ease of use that would be required by my family who would use it every day, because they would have to. Based on some work arounds it should function fine, but there is a chance for it not to behave and cause family then me grief. It would work fine for me, but they are not as technical and while it shouldn't cause them any grief, these kinds of things have always caused me grief in the end.

Product B, - $1200- this product meets the usability needs exactly. It would sound good and would work fine. The problem being the cost to acquire. I would need obviously to save and yes a $700 difference is a lot to me.

What do you think?

[redog]

If product b is the oppo 105, just save for it. You can buy refurbished like I did direct from oppo for 900.00. Looked brand new, and same warranty.

[AudioHTIT]

I think you're wise to consider the family in your decision, especially when you say they use it every day. Ease of use for any product goes a long way in our enjoyment and satisfaction, and if we have to hassle to use something then over time we probably won't want to use it (I'm trying to keep this even less product specific than you did). If buying product B would put you in uncomfortable debt then you may have to spend more time with family training for product A, but that might be the best choice. If a delayed purchase would work and allow you to comfortably buy product B, then that's probably what I would do.

[dcg44s]

Hard to answer for someone else.

I'd say think about that daily use and how long you plan to keep this item.If it will be with you a while is that aggravation in use going to be adding up day after day until you and your family begin to hate it and wish that you had just gone for the more expensive unit?Long term that just might prove to be money well spent.In your situation it seems to really be about how hard it will be for the family to use so think about how they will look at it.

On the other hand,if the operating issue isn't that bad maybe you can live with it okay and use that fairly substantial savings for other stuff.You might not be able to truly tell without having it in your home and living with it but take your best guess.Good luck with the decision.

[garbulky]

I don't know man. $700 vs sitting your family down and teaching them how to use the darn thing. I pick sitting them down.

[brubacca]

This is for my TV system. Need to connect 2 analog sources, squeezebox touch and oppo bdp-103. Amp is Sherborne PA2-50.

Product A, Emotiva DC-1. Concerns- one analog and no trigger. The pa2-50 has auto on, but still a concern that it could foul up without trigger. Also I have a manual switch to make 2 inputs, but I could see this as a potential problem. One analog is kids game system ( used lightly) the other is the cable box (used daily), again I see this as a potential pain point. I did try the cable box into the oppo, but it locked up and I'm not fighting that one either. Also now I am limited to the Sherborne amp, which shouldn't be a problem.

Product B, Oppo HA-1, has 2 analog and trigger. Really exactly what would work, but I really don't want to spend $1,200.

I will not go into debt for this, I will save/sell until I have the cash.

[garbulky]

The real sticking point is the two analog sources. Since the analog source is switched to the kids game system only every once in a while then some simple instruction would do.

But you have some other cheaper options.
First: I assume when the cable box locked up was because it was via HDMI right? Try the digital audio output - usually a coax RCA or Optical out. There's no reason for any lockups this way.
Then just use the single analog out for the only analog source.

Another option
You could also get yourself an analog to digital converter for one of your analog sources. The hook that to a digital input.

www.amazon.com/Analog-Digital-Audio-Converter-Adapter/dp/B005F20756/ref=sr_1_5?s=tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1411943341&sr=1-5

As for trigger: leave the stuff on. (May be not ideal, but I bet you won't notice the power consumtpion). Just turn the tv off.
You could also get an external trigger unit. Emotiva sells one for reasonably cheap.

[bootman]

Sometimes all you need is a good universal remote to help mitigate family usability issues.
The "help" feature in the Harmony line pretty much makes any system fool proof as long as you can point the device at the gear.

[brubacca]

Ok... Problem solved. I''m an idiot.

I can use the DC-1 as a DAC/ input switcher. The PA2-50 has a remote on/off and volume. I can use it as a integrated amp.

Oppo (coax dig), cable box(analog), Squeezebox (USB) can go to DC-1 , which in turn can go to input one on the PA2-50. The game system can go to analog 2 on the PA2-50. Use volume on pa2-50.

Garbulky- my cable box will not output PCM data. It will only do Dolby Digital.

[brubacca]

I do use a harmony remote

[garbulky]

This would work. If you want to keep it really simple - then using that ADC I linked to will allow ALL input siwtching to remain on the DC-1. You could use the ADC for the game system and connect the digital output to the DC-1.

[brubacca]

I am wondering if my TV will do this for me. It only has an optical out. Could it convert analog audio in to optical out?

I have a Panasonic plasma. I am wondering if I could do cable box hdmi to TV and game system analog to,the TV and have it optical out to the DC-1?

[bootman]

Sept 28, 2014 17:43:17 GMT -5 brubacca said:

my cable box will not output PCM data. It will only do Dolby Digital.

What cable box is that?

[brubacca]

It's a Motorola verizon fios box. I have been able to have it communicate dd to a ht processor, but when I set it for stereo data, it still does DD.

I did an internet search at the time and this exact model will not do PCM. It has no setting for it. I'll post the model number tomorrow if I can. I'd love to be wrong.

[bub]

I did something similar last week. I have both a Panny and Pioneer ( 2007 ) plasma. The Kuro won't let me output digital when input is hdmi. Only with analog in can I optical out..I'm using a Xda-1 and Sherbourn 4z-75 amp. I ended up using this www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=5557&seq=1&format=2. ..Hdmi goes to display for video and optical or coaxial goes to Xda-1 for audio. Allows me to hook up cable box, blue ray , roku..Which probably doesn't help you at all . I'm trying to find manual for the Panny.

[emovac]

Avoid grief in your life, buy Brand B.