S.O.S. Audio-for-Video System Newbie, Advice Please!
woof633
Posts: 6
Hi -
I'm currently using a biamped satellite & sub system for both audio and video ("2.1"), and would appreciate advice on the best way to integrate this speaker system into a 5.1 video setup.
The speakers are LSi-15's for satellites, and a JBL 18"/8 cu.ft. box sub. LSi-15's are currently powered by an Adcom 555 (200 w/ch.), and the sub is powered by a 500 w/ch Carver cube. As a point of reference, I'm not nearly as particular about the audio quality for video as I am for pure audio.
The source to the decoder will be an optical signal from either the cable box or the TV (first question: which to use, does it matter?)
I know I'll have to get a 5.1 decoder, but I wonder about....
Given my current amp setup, is it better to get just a decoder, and are there decoders that will provide a signal for an amp for the mains, and an amp for the sub, and an amp for the surrounds?
Or, do I need a receiver that will decode the signal and amplify it all within the receiver and then send it to the speakers? If so, what receivers are recommended in the up-to-$1K range?
Thanks!
I'm currently using a biamped satellite & sub system for both audio and video ("2.1"), and would appreciate advice on the best way to integrate this speaker system into a 5.1 video setup.
The speakers are LSi-15's for satellites, and a JBL 18"/8 cu.ft. box sub. LSi-15's are currently powered by an Adcom 555 (200 w/ch.), and the sub is powered by a 500 w/ch Carver cube. As a point of reference, I'm not nearly as particular about the audio quality for video as I am for pure audio.
The source to the decoder will be an optical signal from either the cable box or the TV (first question: which to use, does it matter?)
I know I'll have to get a 5.1 decoder, but I wonder about....
Given my current amp setup, is it better to get just a decoder, and are there decoders that will provide a signal for an amp for the mains, and an amp for the sub, and an amp for the surrounds?
Or, do I need a receiver that will decode the signal and amplify it all within the receiver and then send it to the speakers? If so, what receivers are recommended in the up-to-$1K range?
Thanks!
Post edited by woof633 on
Comments
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Receivers from Denon, Pioneer, Onkyo, Yamaha, etc. with preamp outputs would be your best choice. They allow you processing of the multi channel sources and they could also used to drive the center and surrounds with there builtin amps. You should be aware that many receivers have issues driving 4 ohm speakers like the LSi line to reference volume levels, so more amps may be required.HT Optoma HD25 LV on 80" DIY Screen, Anthem MRX 300 Receiver, Pioneer Elite BDP 51FD Polk CS350LS, Polk SDA1C, Polk FX300, Polk RT55, Dual EBS Adire Shiva 320watt tuned to 17hz, ICs-DIY Twisted Prs, Speaker-Raymond Cable
2 Channel Thorens TD 318 Grado ZF1, SACD/CD Marantz 8260, Soundstream/Krell DAC1, Audio Mirror PP1, Odyssey Stratos, ADS L-1290, ICs-DIY Twisted , Speaker-Raymond Cable -
Since you already have a quality stereo amplifier for music reproduction, and since you are going to be transporting your digital signal via optical, a receiver would be unnecessary and IMO undesirable. I would recommend going the route of buying a quality A/V preamp that lacks HDMI inputs and pairing it with an additional amplifier(s) for your surrounds. This will get you the most bang for your buck. You can find an Outlaw Audio 990 pre/pro for right around $300 - $350 and pair it with an Adcom GFA-2535 for around $200 and end up with a very respectable setup. I mention these units because that is basically what I am running, except I have a GFA-6000 instead of a GFA-555 + a GFA-2535. You could also go with a 3-channel GSA-700, GFA-5503, or GFA-6006 if you can find them.
The only thing you will be sacrificing are formats that are exclusive to HDMI, which are Dolby TrueHD and DTS Master Audio. For these particular formats, you could upgrade your BD transport to one that includes an on-board decoder and 7.1 analog outputs for passing to the pre/pro.
Feel free of course to ignore my advice if you are set on getting a receiver. Just putting it out there as food for thought.
RT-12, CS350-LS, PSW-300, Infinity Overture 1, Monoprice RC-65i
Adcom GFA-545II, GFA-6000, Outlaw Audio 990, Netgear NeoTV
Denon DCM-460, DMD-1000, Sony BDP-360, Bravia KDL-40Z4100/S
Monster AVL-300, HTS-2500 MKII -
Dennis Gardner wrote: »Receivers from Denon, Pioneer, Onkyo, Yamaha, etc. with preamp outputs would be your best choice. They allow you processing of the multi channel sources and they could also used to drive the center and surrounds with there builtin amps. You should be aware that many receivers have issues driving 4 ohm speakers like the LSi line to reference volume levels, so more amps may be required.
Thanks Dennis - so the receiver translates optical in to multiple outs..sounds easy. -
Okay, you're talking my language...something I know nothing about (A/V preamps) but that sounds non-commercial and cost effective. Definitely not set on getting a receiver, and don't care about sacrificing DTS, which I would not have known how to spell if you had not spotted me the D, the T, and the S. Thanks for this idea!
