Odyssey Candela / Stratos Extremes

Serendipity
Serendipity Posts: 6,975
edited May 2009 in 2 Channel Audio
So - I've been hearing a lot about this amp/preamp combo and I've got a few questions for you owners on the forum:

How does one integrate the amp and pre into a 2-channel system with receiver-like flexibility? There are a few things I commonly use in my 2ch setup that require an AVR, such as video switching and HDMI, when I play a concert DVD or use my HTPC.

I figure that I would need this:
http://www.anchorbaytech.com/products/systems/vp30.php

Also, a DAC like this to connect optical out from the HTPC:
http://www.cambridge-audio.us/summary.php?PID=320

Then, a speaker selector box for the patio speakers:
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_190SS4/Niles-SS-4.html?tp=2997

What I'm basically saying is that on a pre like the Candela, a lot of features are "given up" and thus requires additional components like scalers, DAC, and speaker selector to do what the Onkyo TX-SR806 can do out of the box.

Is there a better way to integrate a preamp into a system with Zone 2 speakers, Media Center, and a projector (how else do you watch a concert DVD?) And how to play DVD-A/SACD? I feel like I'm missing out on a lot with a receiver but at the same time can't figure how to get a system like this integrated...
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Comments

  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,647
    edited May 2009
    HT Bypass.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited May 2009
    Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't HT bypass used to integrate your 2ch pre and surround processor together? Meaning connect the main outputs of the HT processor to the 2ch pre and then to the amp(s)?

    I'm looking for something like a "2ch bypass" instead. My system is already 2ch.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited May 2009
    Also, doesn't this bring along / amplify the characteristics of the receiver? What I don't want is to have the receiver in the signal path if it's going to be the weak link. HT Bypass doesn't solve that... as far as I understand.
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  • danz1906
    danz1906 Posts: 5,144
    edited May 2009
    appadv wrote: »
    Also, doesn't this bring along / amplify the characteristics of the receiver? What I don't want is to have the receiver in the signal path if it's going to be the weak link. HT Bypass doesn't solve that... as far as I understand.

    Your 2ch pre-amp would be for your Front speakers only.
    In the HT bypass, your amp would go thru your Pre-amp to
    your AVR.
    The Characteristics of the pre-amp would be ampify.
    Linn AV5140 fronts
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited May 2009
    danz1906 wrote: »
    Your 2ch pre-amp would be for your Front speakers only.
    In the HT bypass, your amp would go thru your Pre-amp to
    your AVR.
    The Characteristics of the pre-amp would be ampify.

    Thanks.

    What I don't like is that the characteristics of the AVR will still be amplified when in HT Bypass mode. Might as well connect the AVR directly to the amps then.

    My main issue is with sound quality on Concert DVD's and HD Cable.

    Also, I only have two speakers.
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited May 2009
    If you're gonna go get a Candela/Stratos combo, then why bother trying to integrate it with a bunch of sound quality-robbing HT crap, speaker selectors, DACs, etc.? That defeats the purpose. Just set up a separate 2-channel system or forget about it.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited May 2009
    Early B. wrote: »
    If you're gonna go get a Candela/Stratos combo, then why bother trying to integrate it with a bunch of sound quality-robbing HT crap, speaker selectors, DACs, etc.? That defeats the purpose. Just set up a separate 2-channel system or forget about it.

    How would I listen to DVD-A then? Or watch the Music HD channel on Cable? A separate 2-channel system isn't going to let me utilize all of my sources.
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    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited May 2009
    appadv wrote: »
    How would I listen to DVD-A then? Or watch the Music HD channel on Cable?

    How do you do it now?
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited May 2009
    Through the receiver. It feeds the projector and powers the speakers.

    Cable box is connected via coax, and the HTPC is connected with an optical cable.
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited May 2009
    I would need a DAC because the cable box's analog output is awful.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited May 2009
    Keep your receiver for HT/Video, get a preamp with HT bypass, get a separate DAC, and get a separate power amp for your mains.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited May 2009
    Face wrote: »
    Keep your receiver for HT/Video, get a preamp with HT bypass, get a separate DAC, and get a separate power amp for your mains.

    That works out very well.

    Thanks for solving my dilemma!!
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    polkaudio XRT12 XM Tuner
    polkaudio RM6750 5.1

    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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