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ClassicalDJ

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  1. I’ve replaced my Denon AVR in this setup with a Marantz SR7013 and added in-ceiling speakers for movies/Dolby Atmos. While I’m pleased with the performance of this setup, I’m considering adding separate amplification for the LS50 metas at some point, and I’m wondering if there’s any good reason to insist on a 5 channel amp (or a 3+2 setup) like a Parasound A51 to power the rear channels for multichannel music (I listen mostly classical recordings where usually the rears are only used for hall ambiance), or if a 3 channel setup (like a Parasound A31 or a trio of PS Audio M700s) would be sufficient (I suspect having at least all 3 fronts getting the same or similar power current is ideal for multichannel music of any sort).
  2. Can Dirac and Roon be used for a multichannel setup over RAAT network connection to the newer s88 or Sigma streamer + e68? It appears that the WASAPI or ASIO sound driver in this review's configuration would have to output the audio signal via USB. I'd like to avoid placing my PC in the same room as my audio system if possible.
  3. A big part of the reason I started using Roon over JRiver was no longer needing to tag albums (I went through a lot of effort with JRiver tagging compositions or splitting album names into compositions for my 90% classical library). Roon takes the raw ripped album (and streamed Qobuz/Tidal files) and automatically slices up and organizes the albums in every way I need - composition, composer, composition date, conductors, performers, venues, and more).
  4. Would the 1/4" TRS connectors on the a/b5.1 also make it easier to incorporate an input from an unbalanced source (such as an AVR's preamp outputs), or is it pretty much impossible/impractical to use an unbalance source with either of these switchers?
  5. LS50 Meta is a highly precise, emotionally engaging loudspeaker built on revolutionary acoustic technology. Designed around the Uni-Q 12th Generation with Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT™) driver array, this solid, compact loudspeaker is capable of delivering detailed sound anywhere in the room. Manufacturer's product page: https://us.kef.com/ls50-meta.html
  6. I decided to go with KEF LS50 metas for my surround setup (pardon the furniture from our previous home and temporary TV setup). Without room correction the equidistant placement provides an almost near-field experience (6.5ft). I am very pleased with the sound from SACDs (Oppo 103 > Denon 4310, Mch DSD via HDMI). The LS50s' ability to "image" the placement of the the orchestral sections is very impressive. Now onto integrating multichannel files and room correction!
  7. Thanks for the reply, Kal. Based the great things I've read about the LS50's imaging this option seems very intriguing - I've become accustomed to standmount sound from my Epos Epic 2s. Any recommendation on subs under $1200?
  8. I am ready to make the jump back into multichannel audio with my collection of around 700 ripped SACDS and eClassical FLAC downloads (will have to go back and extract/claim them), 95% of them classical. Once upon a time I used an Oppo 103 and Denon 4310 AVR with a quintet of Klipsch Reference line speakers, but between the room setup and fiddling with Audyssey I was never really wowed by the results, and switched exclusively to stereo after acquiring a Teac DSD-capable dac and a pair of Epos Epic 2s. Now we have moved into a house with gameroom/loft area (14ft depth x 14.5ft width, 14dx11.5w usable space excluding walkway to bedroom) that should work for a surround setup and I am ready to select new speakers for it. I will be using stand-mounted bookshelfs for the rear channels and need to select an ideal solution for the main and center channels. Option 1: Three < 40in Towers: My first inclination was to go with something like Kal Rubinson's Monitor Audio Silver 8 setup (IMG_0033a.jpg (960×720) (stereophile.com)) with a trio of tower speakers (likely will add subs eventually), as many seem to assert that traditional center channel speakers are inferior for music purposes. However I am afraid this will make setting up a mounted TV or projector less practical (we'd like the space to double for home theater) - I care less about aesthetics and more about the screen being too high on the wall for a 14ft-deep room, though shorter towers (Monitor Audio 200s) could help with TV height situation (also see option 3). Option 2: Three Stand-Mounted Bookshelf Speakers (one on lower stand?) I suspect KEF LS50 Metas would work well for this, though adding sub(s) may be more imperative. Would using a lower stand (or cabinet) for the center bookshelf speaker be problematic for imaging? Option 3: Shorter Tower (or Bookshelf) from Same Family for Center Monitor Audio's Silver series offers this option (a 35in 200 could be paired with two 40in 300s), but finding this option with other speaker brands seems unlikely, and sonic signature of a shorter/bookshelf speaker might be too different to justify selecting it over a traditional center channel. Option 4: Traditional Center Channel Would room correction/DSP be able to overcome the sonic shortcomings of this option? This would be the easiest way to go for home theater and available variety. Other Considerations: _As a Roon user I will eventually want to integrate a multichannel Roon Ready endpoint like the exaSound S88. _Selecting speakers that could be driven by my Denon 4310, at least for the short term until I upgrade amplification, would be ideal. _I expect I will need to use room correction software like Dirac Live to achieve the best results. Thanks for you input! David W.
  9. I've been using JRiver on a MacBook + QNAP file server connected to my Teac UD501 DAC for a few years with somewhat spotty reliability, and I'm looking for a different solution to replace the macbook (so it is not docked and out-of-use) that also integrates streaming (Spotify/Qobuz) and uses an iOS device as a controller (JRemote, etc). I'm considering a JRiver Id, but I suspect it will not meet my streaming needs. Any thoughts? I'd like to utilize my current resources as much as possible (listed below): Music (95% classical): 24 bit downloads, CD rips, SACD dsf stereo rips, Spotify Premium, Qobuz (hi-res) Software: JRiver (master license), JRemote for iOS Hardware: QNAP HS-210 2-bay Fanless Quiet NAS Teac UD501 USB DAC (DSD & 24/384 processing) Denon AVR 4310CI 7.1 Channel 170 Watt Receiver Oppo BDP103 player Epos Epic 2 speakers
  10. It's here: http://oppodigital.com/blu-ray-udp-205/blu-ray-udp-205-Overview.aspx I was sincerely hoping for multichannel pcm/dsd input via asynchronous usb (giving us an affordable alternative to exaSound), but alas. Is the asynchronous HDMI Audio Jitter Reduction feature just a gimmick, or is there something really new here that could improve the audio from SACDs or USB stick over HDMI to my Denon 4310?
  11. One can only hope. I've seen that Oppo plans to release new Ultra HD Blu Ray player(s) in time for the holidays (Sony and Oppo confirm plans to release UHD Blu-ray players - FlatpanelsHD). Even if the price increased somewhat significantly, it would be half the price of an exaSound E28. I'd purchase such an Oppo in a heartbeat, even though I have little interest in the 4k source upgrade.
  12. It appears BIS 5.0 downloads are finally available from eClassical, and at no extra charge for previous purchases! Check them out here: eClassical - BIS. Most of the recent releases are updated offering a surround download, and I assume the missing ones will be caught up with soon. Guess it's time to invest in an exaSound e28!
  13. I do use JRemote from time to time with my iPhone and it doesn't quite cut it for me with things like multi-tiered browsing (my library is mostly classical and I like to browse by things like composer and genre and year simultaneously).
  14. I am trying to free up the MacBook for other purposes. Right now it is basically unusable while playing files from the NAS unless I string a USB and ethernet cable (wifi has proven unreliable) across the room. I still have a lot of tag updating to perform on my library and I often do this while listening to music (I know this is shortsighted but I have grown tired of having to hook up the MacBook every time I want to listen to music).
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