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January 25, 2009 - 5:48pm
#1
Amp with HDMI input
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Depends on your definitions. Audio only? Some merely pass the video but there are several preamp/processors with HDMI inputs.
The only completely audio setup would be mating the soon-to-arrive Meridian 621 to the Meridian 861 as the 621 would split off the video and send only the audio to the 861.
Kal
Kal
What im thinking of is a more audio based unit instead of something like a Onkyo 876 etc.
Alan
Note sure what you are looking for. There are many pre/pros with HDMI but the only one that can be configured without any video is the Meridian. The Cary 11a will not process video but will pass it, so it has a minimum of video content. Other than that, you have only units with video but, of course, you can ignore it if you choose.
Kal
Kal
What im trying to decide is which of the following options is the way forward, I have a decent collection of DVD-A and DTS music in adition to my CD collection that id like to have access to, i really dont care about video.
Option 1 - Get a good quality univeral player, NAD M55, DV9600 etc and play it through a traditional analog amp setup.
Option 2 - Get a good Blu ray transport, Pioneer or the upcoming Oppo bluray and then play via HDMI into either a high end receiver including amp ( Onkyo 906 ) or via Integra 9.9 pre with seperate power amps. The advantage of the Onkyo being that it can stream via its LAN port, the disadvantage being that i dont know the quality of its audio stage especially as I would want to also switch my TT input via the audio stage.
The problem is that its impossible to demo these as one set of kit comes through hifi stores and one set through home cimema dealers.
I do have intentions of streaming XM and setting hopefully setting up a music server in the future.
I really just want to chose a direction then go with it.
Do you think im limiting my sound quality with option 2 ? if not what about the pros/cons of the integra v Onkyo ?
Thansk for your help if you get chance to answer.
Alan
Hard to answer. First, I assume you desire mch from the options you have already listed. The new Oppo and other universal/BRD players are still an unknown quantity in terms of quality.
Second, most folks seem to have a innate bias, towards the HDMI/AVR/propro side or towards the analog connection/preamp side. This is not for a 3rd party to decide for you.
IMHO, the real issue is whether you can live with the analog inputs on an AVR or prepro for your analog sources. Some can, some cannot.
Kal
Kal
At this time mch is not a consideration, the idea of streaming via a network port is a major plus though.
The use of an analog port on the prepro is the major issue and is the hardest thing to audition.
Alan