Getting the best from an AV setup

[admin_exported]

It seems widely accepted that the best way of integrating a hi-fi with an AV setup is by connecting the pre outs of the AV amp to an input on the hi-fi amp. The problem with this though is the the front L&R speakers won't then tonally match the rest of the speakers. One possible solution would be to use a multi channel power amp that matches the tonal signature of the hi-fi amp for the surround speakers. This is the approach that I am thinking of taking but would be grateful for people's views on how much benifit it will bring and is it ultimately worth it?
My proposed system would be to use a Pioneer VSX-LX73 AV receiver with the front L&R channels going into a Naim Uniti. I would feed the centre and surround L&R channels into a Naim NAP V175 power amp. Is this a good idea, and how much benifit am I likely to get from doing this?

 

[duaplex]

I too would like this answered as im looking at introducing an amp to my system. I am worried im going to end up sacrificing bi-amp and bi-wiring for the fronts.

 

[Anonymous]

Well I'm glad I'm not the only one that's curious about my proposed setup. Would be grateful for some more input & opinions from others on this topic.
Cheers all

 

[strapped for cash]

How would you determine that the tonal signatures of a multi channel and stereo amplifier are complimentary?

Even combining amplifiers from the same manufacturer could be problematic.

The obvious solution is to have two systems, but I appreciate you'd need space to accomodate the extra kit.

I'm of the opinion that most of us have to prioritise. If you love movies and occasionally listen to music, go the full surround route and don't mess with your system's acoustic balance; or stick with stereo if you're primarily a music fan.

 

[Anonymous]

How would you determine that the tonal signatures of a multi channel and stereo amplifier are complimentary?

Even combining amplifiers from the same manufacturer could be problematic.

The obvious solution is to have two systems, but I appreciate you'd need space to accomodate the extra kit.

I'm of the opinion that most of us have to prioritise. If you love movies and occasionally listen to music, go the full surround route and don't mess with your system's acoustic balance; or stick with stereo if you're primarily a music fan.

Well I was hoping that by using a Naim 3 channel amp and a Naim stereo amp both acting as power amps to the AV amp, I would achieve the closest tonal equality I can for the AV setup, without compramising on the stereo performance. This way, in theory, I should be able to get the best of both worlds. I would also hope that by esentially having a pre/power setup, I should achieve greater sound quality for the AV setup than if I were just running an AV amp on its own...

 

[strapped for cash]

Fair enough, but the extra cost of all that kit should be compared with any improvement you'd achieve from simply buying a better receiver.

And again, how would you know the two Naim amplifiers would be tonally consistent? I'm not saying they wouldn't be, but it would be difficult to judge prior to purchase.

I guess I'm saying "approach with caution," while a very thorough audition of your proposed set up is essential.

On an entirely different subject, I presume, looking at your avatar, that you're the proud owner Dali Suite speakers? I came so close to buying a Suite surround package a while back, but felt nervous about driving 4ohm speakers. There's still a part of me that wishes I'd been braver! How do you find them? And do you have the full Suite surround package?

I know it's virtually impossible to track down Dali Suite speakers now, I'm just interested...

 

[Anonymous]

My issue with just spending more on the AV amp is that AV kit goes out of date so quickly that I really don't see it as being worth spending a lot of money on. At least with a pre/power setup, I would only feel the need to change the pre amp part of the setup when I feel it is out of date while keeping the rest of the system the same.

I totally agree with taking a cautious approach and part 1 of the approach is seeing what others on here think of my proposition. I may even drop Naim an email and see what they suggest... I will of course be going for an extended demo as well as I would be mad not to with the amount of money I am potentially going to be spending.

As for the speakers, yes you are correct. I snapped them up from SSAV and just couldn't resist buying a second pair and the centre speaker to match. 2 of the floorstanders & the centre are unused and in the loft and the other 2 floorstanders are taking pride of place in my living room. My intention was to use all 5 when I get round to buying myself an AV amp, but finding an amp to drive the beasts is easier said than done. When I go for a proper demo of the afformentioned kit, I will compare my speakers with the likes of PMC DB1i's to see if I am worthwhile changing my speakers along with the rest of the setup. Depending on the outcome of that demo, there may well be some very nice, mint condition speakers making their way towards Fleabay if you are interested

I am looking forward to going for a proper demo but think it only fair that I save up first so that I am in a position to buy before I ask the guys at Lintone Audio to invest a considerabpe amount of time with me.

 

[Anonymous]

I totally agree with "approach with caution" and the first stage of that cautious approach is asking what people on here think of my proposed setup. I may even drop Naim an email and see what they suggest. Pity they don't do AV kit any more...

My issue with spending more on an AV amp is that the technology goes out of date so quickly that I really don't see it being a worthwhile investment to spend so much money on. At least with a pre/power setup, the majority of the setup will remain the same over the years and all I will change will be the pre amp part of the setup, as and when I feel than my current amp is out of date.

The only way I will truly know if there is a tonal match is through a very thorough audition, as you suggested. I fully intend on doing this and look forward to the day that this audition takes place. I think it only fair that I save up some funds so that I am in a position to buy before asking my local retailer to invest their time in me.

As for my speakers, yes you are correct, I am the proud owner of the Dali Suite 2.8 speakers. I bought a pair of ex dem speakers and was very impressed with them, so bought a second pair and the centre speaker to match. My intention of course to use the lot in an AV setup, but with the floorstanders being 4 ohm speakers, they're not the easiest to drive. As a result, they aren't the easiest speakers to find a suitable AV amp, so I understand your reluctance to invest yourself.

They really are lovely speakers though, and I am very happy with them. As yet, 2 of the floorstanders and the centre speaker are unused and in the loft waiting for me to get appropriate AV amplication. When I do go for my audition, I will take my speakers with me and at that point I will decide if they will be suitable for my needs or if I will want to change them for something that partners better with the Naim kit. If I am suitably impressed with an alternative speaker, then the Dali's will be making an appearance on Fleabay, so keep your eyes peeled

 

[strapped for cash]

And if I'd been more attentive, I'd have found the answer to my question in your kit listing (it was late)!

I'd be tempted by an auction, but think I'd get the jitters again. My receiver already runs a little hot, if not dangerously so.

Glad you're enjoying the Suites, however...

 

[The_Lhc]

Well I was hoping that by using a Naim 3 channel amp and a Naim stereo amp both acting as power amps to the AV amp, I would achieve the closest tonal equality I can for the AV setup, without compramising on the stereo performance. This way, in theory, I should be able to get the best of both worlds. I would also hope that by esentially having a pre/power setup, I should achieve greater sound quality for the AV setup than if I were just running an AV amp on its own...

The thing is one of the main reasons for going for this kind of setup is to take the AV amp's pre-amp out of the loop for music sources (because you plug all two channel sources into the integrated stereo amp directly), if you just go with power amps you won't get that benefit.

There are many people here who have done what you're talking about, I don't believe any of them have said that they can hear a tonal difference across the front three speakers (assuming you have a centre speaker from the same range as the Front L&R speakers obviously).

 

[Anonymous]

The thing is one of the main reasons for going for this kind of setup is to take the AV amp's pre-amp out of the loop for music sources (because you plug all two channel sources into the integrated stereo amp directly), if you just go with power amps you won't get that benefit.

There are many people here who have done what you're talking about, I don't believe any of them have said that they can hear a tonal difference across the front three speakers (assuming you have a centre speaker from the same range as the Front L&R speakers obviously).

The stereo amp would not actually be a power amp, I would just be using it as one, so I would still have stereo music completely independant of the AV amp. There would be the potential to buy a stereo power amp as well, so I would end up with an AV amp feeding a 3 channel power amp and a stereo amp. The stereo amp then feeding into a 2 channel power amp. This is dependant on whether or not I can achieve a tonal match without the stereo power amp. I really need to assess the pros and cons of each setup and see what brings me the most performance without being more expensive than the end result is worth...