From my point of view my current "preamp" is my av8801. I feed into it by using hdmi from my computer and it delivers the signals by balanced output connectors to the power amp.
When it comes to HDMI vs coax my experience so far is that hdmi is a dream when it comes to handle all kind of different formats effortless and without trouble.
I also have a Zonar essence ST card with digital output in the same computer case. For stereo output the digital out works fine, but if I try to pass other stuff (like 5.1 sound from dvd/blue-ray conserts it's a lot of trouble - from unsupported formats to extremly distorted sound).
So for "all round use", both audio and theater hdmi out to the av8801 is the preferred choise. Marantz also suggest hdmi over all other formats for high quality.
What I'm thinking about is how I shall proceed for the next level of quality - only focusing on the stereo side of thing.
My starting point is, and will continue to be, some digital source:
- my own collection
- tidal (my absolutly preferred and most used source)
- linn (downloaded, high-rez, this is usually very nice but not very mutch material and quite expencive - really looking forward to a streaming service that will deliver master studio quality)
The starting point is a PC. Will a PC deliver clean digital signals out? Are there ways that should be preferred?
From the PC into a DAC. Here I'm looking for a DAC that will beat the AV8801 at a resonable cost. Preferrable a DIY solution because that is just cool - and I think that it can be made very easy with just a single input source.
And then a preamp. And either pass-trough the AV 8801, or add extra inputs and relays to the amp so that I can be sure that the amp received a pure signal from the dac when I really want to enjoy high quality music.
With the NC500 I'm actually no longer sure if extra sub's are wanted for music. It's impressive how mutch attac and depth the nc500 adds to the Ardents compared to my 350w thule.
I see that Handling the sub's in a stereo setup in a good way might be a challenge.
Sorry - this was alot of rambling - not sure how much useful stuff that comes out of it...
I'm obvious on my way to somewhere, but I must admit that I currently have little knowledge about where that is...
When it comes to HDMI vs coax my experience so far is that hdmi is a dream when it comes to handle all kind of different formats effortless and without trouble.
I also have a Zonar essence ST card with digital output in the same computer case. For stereo output the digital out works fine, but if I try to pass other stuff (like 5.1 sound from dvd/blue-ray conserts it's a lot of trouble - from unsupported formats to extremly distorted sound).
So for "all round use", both audio and theater hdmi out to the av8801 is the preferred choise. Marantz also suggest hdmi over all other formats for high quality.
What I'm thinking about is how I shall proceed for the next level of quality - only focusing on the stereo side of thing.
My starting point is, and will continue to be, some digital source:
- my own collection
- tidal (my absolutly preferred and most used source)
- linn (downloaded, high-rez, this is usually very nice but not very mutch material and quite expencive - really looking forward to a streaming service that will deliver master studio quality)
The starting point is a PC. Will a PC deliver clean digital signals out? Are there ways that should be preferred?
From the PC into a DAC. Here I'm looking for a DAC that will beat the AV8801 at a resonable cost. Preferrable a DIY solution because that is just cool - and I think that it can be made very easy with just a single input source.
And then a preamp. And either pass-trough the AV 8801, or add extra inputs and relays to the amp so that I can be sure that the amp received a pure signal from the dac when I really want to enjoy high quality music.
With the NC500 I'm actually no longer sure if extra sub's are wanted for music. It's impressive how mutch attac and depth the nc500 adds to the Ardents compared to my 350w thule.
I see that Handling the sub's in a stereo setup in a good way might be a challenge.
Sorry - this was alot of rambling - not sure how much useful stuff that comes out of it...
I'm obvious on my way to somewhere, but I must admit that I currently have little knowledge about where that is...
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