Omni A1 wireless amp & a pair of speakers...am I thinking correctly?

Uilleann

Hello all - been ages since I posted to the forums, but looking for a bit of guidance. I recently purchased pair of martin Logan Motion 15 bookshelf speakers to replace an aging and inadequate 2.1 computer speaker set up. I was looking for a decent amp with a small footprint to drive them, and the local Magnolia guy said I should look at the Omni A1.

As an added bonus - it appears this amp will allow me to take the speakers out into the backyard for parties with it's wi-fi connectivity. So my question to everyone is this: Am I correct in thinking the set up is basically, to take the line outs from my computer sound card (where all my music is stored - from MP3s to Hi Res 96/24's), an be able to transmit it to the amp using our existing 2.4 or 5 GHz router?

From there, I should just be able to attach the speakers (and drag the sub out of the front room if I'm feeling particularly cheeky towards the neighbors) and I can control it all with the app on my phone correct? Mind you, I'm not looking for any sort of seismic event with these little speakers...even if the sub is involved. Just some really nice, very clean music with the flexibility to move them inside an out with little difficulty as needed.

It seems too simple on the surface, and I'm just wondering what if any steps I'm missing here. Still waiting to get the speakers and amp as they had to order them when I was in the store last week.

Thoughts and/or advice? TIA!

tonyb

Not so sure the Omni is the right choice. I've heard some complain about reliability issues with drop outs on the wireless. Plus if I'm not mistaken, the ML Motion 15's are around 5 ohm speakers, might be a tough nut for the Omni.

[Deleted User]

Hello,
Here is a response from Chet, Polk's wireless master:

"There are two ways we can “connect” the sound source (or files on his computer) to the Polk Omni A1.



1- He can physically connect an 1/8” mini cable from the audio output of his computer to the 1/8” analog input on the Omni A1 amp. (This presumes the computer is physically close to the Omni A1 amp.)

2- He can download the Play-Fi PC app onto his computer. (He can find this App at the following link:

https://play-fi.com/apps/windows/ ) He could then wirelessly transmit the sound from his computer to the Omni A1 amplifier. (This wireless connection method presumes the computer is a PC running Windows 7, 8 or 10. It also presumes the Omni A1 is within the WiFi range of the customer’s router.)



Thanks,

Chet

Regards, Ken

[Deleted User]

The Omni A1 should have no issues driving a 5 ohm speaker……If the router is fairly new with either the 802.11N or AC bands – and the speaker is receiving a moderately strong Wi-Fi signal, the wireless connectivity should be stable.

Uilleann

Thanks Tony, Ken and Chet too.

For the most part, the amp would be close to the computer and a hard wired connection is easy. But for the times we'd like to move things outside, that's where the wifi would come in to play.

Our router is new, and was stupid expensive. A Netgear Nighthawk X6 AC3200 Tri-Band if memory serves. It is also placed in the corner of the room closest to the back yard (of any room in the house) by sheer luck. I would expect a good solid signal even on the 5.0 GHZ with just the single wall to pass through, and a distance of maybe 20 feet or so away outside.

Am also looking at upgrading the on board sound card to an Asus Xonar Essence card. My understanding here, is that when hard wired, my sound will stand a good chance of improvement over the on board sound of the PC. The machine itself isn't quite a year old, with Windows 8.1 / 64 currently (can wait to jettison that OS...but will see if 10 is an improvement).

I appreciate all the feedback so far. Asking questions seems to be one of the best ways to avoid potentially large missteps as I go here!

Brian~

[Deleted User]

Good, I'm glad the information was helpful. From what I gather talking to knowledgeable wireless enthusiasts the Omni products are the best sounding devices available.
Cheers!

Uilleann

Ken, can you help me understand the operation of the Play-Fi environment a bit more? My hope is that while the amp will be in the bedroom and hard wired to my computer the majority of the time, I can control my music directly from Windows, and whichever program is currently running (media player, Power DVD etc. But when I'm wireless out back, can I use the Play-Fi app on my smart phone or a tablet (on the same wi-fi network of course) to control my complete audio library from the PC back in the house correct?

[Deleted User]

I'll check with Chet to be sure on this one.

[Deleted User]

Here's Chet's reply:
"In order to control music stored on a PC from a smart phone or tablet, we’ll want to make the computer into a music server. You could then “open” or control music on the music server from the App on the smart phone or tablet. Software from JRiver will allow a PC to become a music server on the Play-Fi system."
Ken

Uilleann

I've just downloaded the JRiver player, so will see how it all works out once the speakers and amp are utilized. Hope they'll show up in the next day or two and I can start working on the details.

Uilleann

Hi Ken,

So I picked up the A1 amp yesterday evening, and I am going to get things all set up this evening at home. I do have a question about the final file quality the amp is capable of reproducing. My understanding was that if using a high definition source (24/192 files for example through JRiver for example), that this is what would be delivered to the speakers via this amp. However, what I'm reading here seems to contradict that and allude to down sampling:

File Quality:
• Lossless file reproduction up to 16-bit/48kHz
(CD Quality) and proper file handling for full compatibility
with all high-resolution music up to 24bit/192k.
• Plays all format bitrates [kbps]. DTS Play-Fi transmits
high-resolution files, but it does down-sample them so that
they can be distributed throughout a home.

It seems this may be a function of the Play-Fi transmission protocol over the home's wi-fi network? If I'm hardwired to the amp via RCA or optical out from the soundcard, does that change the output capabilities?

Wondering if you can help me confirm or deny my thinking (or just my reading comprehension skills here!)

Thanks as always!

Brian~

[Deleted User]

Hi Brian,
I'll pose this to Matt Lyons who developed the Omni series.
Ken

Uilleann

Ken - if not too late to slip in one more for Matt -

I've got everything up and running here at the house now. Sound is very very good (I'll reserve "great" till I have some more time to tweak settings and allow for proper speaker break-in), but as I'm using the A1 and speakers as my main audio from my computer, I'm now experiencing a heavy latency in the audio signal. Almost a half second delayed from video. It's rather maddening when trying to enjoy a movie or even watch YouTube vids.

Is there any fix for this? Can I use the phono in jacks to eliminate the wifi signal (I assume this is where the lag is creeping in)? The USB port is just for updates as I understand, and the 1/8" in is only for things like an external ipod? Is there any reason I couldn't connect using the 1/8" out on the soundcard, and go into the A1 that way - 'hard wired' as it were? Otherwise, so far, I'm very pleased.

TIA!

Brian~

**Edited to add**
I figured it out. Just needed to use the mode button on the front (with the turntable diagram on). Thanks for fielding the endless questions though Ken - I do appreciate it!

[Deleted User]

Hello,
Here's an answer to your resolution question:

"If the optical input is used on the Omni A1 amplifier, the highest resolution sent to the speakers will be 48khz/24bit….."

I'll check on the second issue.

Cheers, Ken

[Deleted User]

Ah, sounds like you've figured it out. Good!~

Uilleann

Kenneth Swauger wrote: »

Hello,
Here's an answer to your resolution question:

"If the optical input is used on the Omni A1 amplifier, the highest resolution sent to the speakers will be 48khz/24bit….."

I'll check on the second issue.

Cheers, Ken

OK, thanks Ken. So sounds like spending a small truckload of money on High res files more than 48 to be streamed either wireless via the Play-Fi signal, or even using a hardwired optical input won't allow for true playback at the higher resolution. Good info to know.

One last question for you while I have your ear - do you know if there is any way to get around the massive delay / lag time the wireless system has? It's actually a bit more than a second, and for sources like DVD or online video, it's maddening. Any workaround you may know of there? And thanks VERY much for all the time and attention so far!

B~

[Deleted User]

Wouldn't it be nice to have a small truckload of money? Nothing fancy, just a dark blue Toyota with a few thousand miles on it. Tires good, fresh oil change and stacks of newly minted tens and twenties banded neatly nestled side-by-side in the clean bed.
But, I digress, sorry. Here's Chet's reply:

"At this time, there aren’t any workarounds for the delay when using the Play-Fi PC App. It’s my understanding, however, this is on the roadmap to correct."

Cheers, Ken

Uilleann

I'll take your truck...and see you one road map to ZERO LATENCY!!

I don't expect there is any idea on a time frame they hope to have it sorted that you know of? I might add, my wife said after using the mobile apps (well, trying to...it never did work on our Galaxy tablet. Just immediately crashes over and over) that the mobile interfaces both "suck". Her words...please don't shoot the messenger! She does quality assurance testing for several large corporations here in the state, so it's her job to look for this stuff.

But I have to say, I can understand her frustration. The interfaces are clunky and exceedingly basic. Hopefully, a better UI including big improvements in stability and functionality are on that road map too.

Otherwise, the sound I'm getting out of that little amp is pretty darn nice so far.