Very happy with my new system!

[wilro15]

 

[Hi-FiOutlaw]

Very nice set up!!! 8)

just one question, the Marantz AV doen't have pre outs?

 

[iceman16]

Very nice and tidy:cheers:

 

[wilro15]

Don't think so, only a sub out

 

[The_Lhc]

Don't think so, only a sub out

According to Google there appears to be an FL and FR pre-out next to the sub out, whether that's actually the discreet front left and right channels (you'd hope so given the labelling) and not a summed stereo output I don't know. The manual isn't entirely clear either.

 

[Hi-FiOutlaw]

Acording to this picture the pre out are for the front channels, that way you can bypass the front speakers to stereo amp, and when whatching TV or a bluray you can select the stereo amp input ( AUX or other) turn the volume to 80-90% and the Leema will work as a power amp for the KEF LS50 and the Marantz as a pre amp.

Try it out and you, and if it works you can disconect the other speakers.

 

[The_Lhc]

Acording to this picture the pre out are for the front channels, that way you can bypass the front speakers to stereo amp, and when whatching TV or a bluray you can select the stereo amp input ( AUX or other) turn the volume to 80-90% and the Leema will work as a power amp for the KEF LS50 and the Marantz as a pre amp.

Try it out and you, and if it works you can disconect the other speakers.

The manual's ambiguous though, the only time those pre-outs are mentioned the illustration shows ONLY the front left and right speakers being used in a 2.1 system with a Power amp, there's no suggestion you can use it in the manner you suggest.

 

[wilro15]

Not sure I would want to this anyway. The Marantz is pretty bad at 2 channel music, thats why I went to the trouble of getting a decent music setup.

 

[proffski]

Fantastic, looks a million dollars and I'll bet it sounds it too! You have good taste, enjoy! 🙂

 

[wilro15]

Just now I was experimenting with running the Kef Kube sub off the Leema. Sounded pretty damn good!

On the lookout for an RCA line level automatic switcher now. Then both the Marantz AV and Leema Elements can connect to the sub and switch automatically between the two.

 

[The_Lhc]

Not sure I would want to this anyway. The Marantz is pretty bad at 2 channel music, thats why I went to the trouble of getting a decent music setup.

Yes but the point is, if they were the right sort of pre-outs you'd use the Leema for the front two speakers in all circumstances and the Marantz would only power the centre and surround speakers when watching a film or TV. It saves you having two sets of front left and right speakers.

 

[Hi-FiOutlaw]

Not sure I would want to this anyway. The Marantz is pretty bad at 2 channel music, thats why I went to the trouble of getting a decent music setup.

Yes but the point is, if they were the right sort of pre-outs you'd use the Leema for the front two speakers in all circumstances and the Marantz would only power the centre and surround speakers when watching a film or TV. It saves you having two sets of front left and right speakers.

Thats it!

the only way to know is to try out what i've said, i've got my home cinema tha way, the dynaudios are powered by my stereo amp for stereo, and when i turn the AV on they serve as front channels in my AV system as well.

 

[wilro15]

But isn't the DAC and preamp in the Marantz inferior to the Leema? Surely this:

Apple TV -> Marantz -> Leema -> LS50

will sound worse than this:

Apple TV -> Leema -> LS50

Also, most people seem to agree that the front 3 channels in AV should be the same otherwise it affects the cohesion of the sound. Haven't tried it myself though.

 

[Hi-FiOutlaw]

What i've sugest is ONLY for watching TV and Bluray, the rest remains the same... But you will have less cables and speakers.

 

[Verity Burns]

Very nice! If you're on Twitter, don't forget to post it with the hashtag #WHFsystems so we can include it in our readers' systems gallery, coming soon 🙂

 

[wilro15]

@Verity - thanks I will do.

@HiFiOutlaw - I think I understand what you mean. This could make the system complicated though (not wife friendly). If she wanted to watch Sky, she would have to turn on Sky, Marantz, TV and Leema. Then select Sky on Marantz, and AV on Leema.

I could do with one of those remotes that allow you to program Macros....

 

[The_Lhc]

But isn't the DAC and preamp in the Marantz inferior to the Leema? Surely this:

Apple TV -> Marantz -> Leema -> LS50

will sound worse than this:

Apple TV -> Leema -> LS50

You leave all the 2-channel music stuff plugged into the Leema, so you only switch that on when listening to music, the Marantz plays no part.

Also, most people seem to agree that the front 3 channels in AV should be the same otherwise it affects the cohesion of the sound. Haven't tried it myself though.

Only the speakers (although in this case you're using a different speaker for the front channel but it is at least a KEF with Uni-Q driver), there's no issue with using different amps (As long as you can match the levels, you'd need to re-run the autoconfig on the Marantz after you've set it up to ensure that), many people are doing this, I'm not of anyone claiming to be able to hear any difference across the front 3 speakers.

 

[wilro15]

Ok thanks, I will give this a try. Would be good to use the LS50s more often.

Do you have any experience of how to program all of this so it is easy to operate? I could do with a remote that has two buttons "Music" and "AV", pressing each will auto turn on and choose the right inputs.

 

[Hi-FiOutlaw]

Can't help you with that, as I have 7 remote on my coffee table... :help: