aszatk01

how is the Oppo going to help me? it doesn't have a digi input to utilitize the dac. I'm not looking to turn 2.0 into 5.1 nor use my native disks...that's the point of lossless in my ATV! Perhaps I'm missing something... PS Interesting info on the physical aspects of the B&W gear.

George, I kind of am forgetting the pearl for multichannel (except as an amp only in bypass mode). As I said although I do go HT, it's the 2-channel sound I care most about. What do you mean by "go active"? Thanks!

Can you comment on how best to get around my DAC situation if I went with the Pearl? Go to AVR then output through Record?

Hifiguy--it's funny you mention the collectibility of them. While budget isn't the biggest concern I do want the purchase to make the most sense...I am almost looking at the Pearl as an Investment (probably a bad idea??) due to the fact that they can be had for around $2200 where msrp is $3500ish so that the "collectibility" of them might result in a large resale value (perhaps not a ton but much better than electronics normally...). If i decide in a few years to get rid of it maybe I could even get out for minimally less than my price? ...probably a bad way to justify its purchase.... as for watts--well the 800 series is noted for being power hogs. 803's would be the largest i'd go (and only because I can get a killer deal on N803's) if not i'd probably go with 805's.

Thanks Eloise always a help! Ok, well let me play devils advocate...I'd consider doing a "dac in a cord" for a few hundred dollars, but don't want to commit to much more. Would that then sway the picture or would that roughly be the same as going through an AVR and not worth it. I was thinking the same about the 800's struggling. But my only confusion is that although the Pearl is $3499 for basically a 2 channel amp w/ pre--the AVR is rated at more watts than the pearl! 90 vs. 125. The power amp version is 140wpc however. Is the pearl doing a "better job" w/ the 90 wpc than the AVR is with 125wpc?

Posted this elsewhere but thought the Comp. Audiophile world might have a different take.... http://community.whathifi.com/blogs/...nd-prices.aspx Also... http://us.marantz.com/Products/3050.asp -- This thing is beautiful (and can get for around $2200) Their gear looks beautiful and would like a newer system based on this to replace my old receiver. Main question is what to get: Marantz Pearl Integrated Amp (for my 2 channel use and Home Theater Bypass) AND SR7005 for HT or Pre/Power route: AV7005 and MM7055 or SR7005 for everything and save some money Background: 70/30% HT to 2-channel use---however I "care" more about 2-channel improvements. Speakers are B&W 602 S2 for fronts and center but might be upgrading to something in the 800 series (probably used). I do care about the visual appearance and the integrated and 7005 seem similar enough to look as though they should "go together." Usually hear that an Integrated Amp is simply going to be better than an AVR for 2-channel...it's just hard to justify purchasing both since I can get everything out of a new AVR or the pre/pro. Also the Marantz Pearl Integrated doesn't have digital inputs or a DAC so would need to go through the AVR for the DAC, then to the Integrated Amp---Would that defeat the "integrated" in the Integrated Amp? Wouldn't it simply really just be an AMP at that point because the "switching" is done by the AVR? I don't want a dedicated DAC to add to the system for appearance, simplicity, and cost reasons. I realize another Integrated with DAC would solve 1 problem I'd rather stick with the same "family" of integrated and AVR and since I'm really liking the looks of the Marantz I'd like to make this work if possible.... Thanks in advance!! Oh and most 2-channel coming from Apple TV locally stored lossless

oh and option 4: Save the money, do nothing, and put towards speakers. then after more demanding speakers revisit options...

Hi all, I have an opportunity to pick up a Primare amp used locally for $800. @ 120 Watts into 8? x 5 channel it is surely enough power for my current B&W 600 series... however might be upgrading speakers at some point to either the 805S or maybe the 803S or a totally other route like Salk Songtowers or the HT2's. I'm kind of all over the place right now speaker wise so not sure if picking up an amp at only 120 W is a smart investment?? Bi-amping could be an option although not my first choice. I had been looking into the Emotiva XPA-5, @200 Watts for the same price, brand new, w/ warranty. the primare is less power, no warranty, and used for same price....sound like a smart idea? not sure... Seems like a good price for Primare per the MSRP, although hard to sell again because not as well known company and not many reviews around if it doesn't work out... so I guess 3 main questions: Anybody have any imput on Primare or this amp specifically? Seem like a good bargan to pick up or just stick w/ the Emotiva? Enough power for future possibilities in speakers? -always read how power hungry the 800 series is (803 being the largest i'll go) thanks in advance

plus the eye candy of separates is nice!

Yes, I do think a receiver will have more goodies...personally though something like the Emotiva (once the kinks are worked out) should sound better, more upgradable in the future, and has Most of the featres like HDMI upscaling, yada yada. Its the lack of Audyssey and an improperly working closed architecture version that's really got me questioning.

hmm, got me in a circle now! what better features on a higher end receiver...after looking at emotiva umc-1 it seems pretty stacked w/ features, what is it really missing? audyssey and multi-zone seems to be it. since i've pared multiple 2 channel amps connected to Airport expresses I don't really need the zone functionality for other rooms. audyssey would be missed though...

Thanks guys, these last few comments really got me thinking. To answer some questions: yes I have the space and knowledge (i think--or at least the desire to tinker/learn). The emotiva UPA-5 or maybe 7 (for better future proofing) and the umc-1 is how I'm leaning now... A bit nervous about some umc-1 issues but am hopeful firmware updates will fix all this. I'm willing to "deal" in the meantime knowing i'd be making the better long term decision. Thank you all again

very nice! thanks to both of you. I had a feeling like this wasn't gong to be an easy answer especially considering my 50% music/HT usage. Anyone else? Also up for other options...also been looking at the Emotiva pre/pro route which combined w/ a cheap used DAC might be my best bet all around??? my thoughts are the emotiva route (for around the same price) will trump the Marantz 6004 but I'd loose the Audyssey. However, do I need all that power for my 602's?

thanks, why specifically? better dac? doubt it... better amplification? doubt this also. from what i hear the old ES line are pretty beefy even by todays standards at that price point. hdmi? while nice i control everything w/ harmony remote so more cables yes, but quality won't increase, just managed differently. codecs? audyssey? just curious...thanks

Current setup: Apple TV locally storing music (most lostless) Toslink to Sony 333ES receiver (so using the receivers DAC) to B&W 602 S2's around System time is split pretty evenly between 5.1 HT viewing and 2.1 music through the Apple TV. So ideally, the next upgrade would benefit me in both areas. My thoughts on next upgrade ($1500 budget or less...hopefully): Receiver: could use some more power, audyssey sounds nice, no HDMI in my current, some annoying features i'd like to upgrade, upgraded DAC? Looking at Marantz 6004. Would benefit both HT and music listening I'd hope but probably only marginally all around. External DAC: As I've converted music to "file" format I do see a need for DAC improvement. I could get a fairly inexpensive one but would really only help with 2.1 music listening. Peachtree NOVA: Benefit of external DAC, possibly better amplification over my receiver? not sure... but again, really only helping w/ 2.1 listening. Or seperates like Emotiva... What's going to be my best all around bang for my buck? -Reviews on the NOVA are amazing however I'll have a receiver with a built in DAC already and only helping music listening, which is barely 50% time the system is in use. -An upgraded receiver gives me a handful of "goodies" that would benefit all areas of the system but not dramatically in any one area I'd say--am I wrong about this? -An external DAC is the cheapest option but would it be that much better than existing DAC built into receiver or on a new receiver if i went that route? Thanks in advance!!!