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Combining 2 channel audio and home theatre

Hi, i'm trying to find out ways to maximise audio quality from my system. So basically i'm running a 5.1 system connected to my Denon AVR. Even though i'm pretty satisfied with the overall movie experience, i'm still trying to find out if there's anything i could do to bring out the most out of my system within my budget to improve the quality of 2 channel music experience. All my sources are digital (TV, TIDAL via Nvidia Shield) and i have to do it in the same room.

My setup:
Triangle Borea BRO3 for my front left and right. ( 100W, 90db sensitivity )
Denon X3700
I've set it all up in my bedroom, pretty small space. (Roughly 2.5 m distance from the speakers.)


Alright, so here's a few things i'm considering .

1. Getting a separate Power Amp: Since these AVR's power ratings are not so reliable and i've read from several sources that it's good to separate the amplifying and pre processing to get a clean signal.If i do this i'll still have my Denon as a Preamp and i'm not sure if it'll have any impact for Music. If i do, how much of improvement will i get in terms of audio quality (Not loudness as my listening space is pretty small) and is it worth the extra expense?

2. Getting an Integrated Stereo AMP: Okay so this is a bit tricky for me. Since my music source is only TIDAL via NVidia Shield connected Straight to Denon, is there anyway to practically make both my AVR(For movies) and Stereo AMP(For Music) work together? I understand that i have to connect using the Preout from AVR to Stereo AMP, but it will basically make the Integrated Stereo AMP work like a regular Amplifier right? As in, the audio pre processing will still be done by my AVR since my music source is connected to the AVR. I wanna keep all my sources connected to the AVR and fully make use of the Stereo AMP(both it's preprocessing and amplifier) when listening to music, as well as switch to 5.1 while watching movies. is that possible? Even if it is possible, will it bring a big difference to the audio quality?

Among these 2 options, which is the best way to go? Or is there any other ways to get an even better result? My budget is around 700$ .


I have been trying to find this info everywhere to integrate hifi stereo with a 5.1 setup and all i could get is by connecting the audio source, ex Turn table, directly to the stereo amp and making the connection to AVR via Preout. I wanna keep my AVR as the main hub and listen to music via TIDAL. I'm pretty new to this and It'll be really helpful if you guys could help me out!

FYI, i don't wanna change any of the equipments i'm using as i just got them recently. I'm very satisfied with my Denon for movies and the sound signature i get from my Triangle BRO3's are really good too, it's just i wanna know if i'm missing out on anything to bring out the full potential of these speakers.

ananthvm11
maxwave's avatar
maxwave
978 posts
 
´´ NAD D3045 Hybrid Digital DAC amplifier ´´ is in your price range.
I think you do not need the pre amp section of an integrated amp.
Tidal uses ´´ Leedh Processing ´´ and it is better with amplifier only.
You Denon AV  ´´ pre out ´´ will be connected to  the amp.´´  input ´´only.

Room treatment is half of the sound. 
soix
9,456 posts
 
Adding a separate stereo amp would likely help, but the Denon’s preamp section will continue to be a significant bottleneck to achieving better 2-channel performance as long as it’s in the signal path.  Period.  Preamps matter!!!  The easiest, most cost-effective way to do this would be to get a good integrated amp.  Something like a used NuPrime IDA-8 would be a nice step up in performance from your AVR, and it also has a good onboard DAC so all you’d need would be a streamer.  A used Bluesound Node 2i would suffice nicely without costing very much.  Just one option, and best of luck. 
vjohnson
1 posts
 
I have found a way to do this. Makes a world of difference. Have a 3.2 setup, which is conducive for my listening setup. For now. 
Focal Sopras front L and R are connected to my Luxman 509x. Center sopra is connected to a Peachtree amp500. My streaming source is a Aurender A10 which is connected to the Luxman. REL 212SE x 2 are connected to the Luxman via high level inputs. LFE inputs from the REL are connected to my Marantz SR 7010 subwoofer outputs. My Marantz then acts as my preamp only. And needless to say, the LCR channels are connected to the pre-outs of the Marantz and the respective inputs on the Luxman and Peachtree. When I wanna watch TV/HT, I use the Luxman’s HT bypass switch. It’s called ‘seperate’ on the Luxman remote. Other manufacturers call it HT bypass, Direct Input, Mains in, etc. And switch it off so I can stream music from the Aurender through the Luxman for 2-channel only. 
It would essentially be the same setup for a 5.1, but with more speakers and separate amps to drive them, all connected to the AV receiver or Pre-pro for HT use, and simply switching the HT bypass switch back to off for only 2-channel listening. This way, as someone mentioned, I’m not dependent on my Marantz preamp for my 2-channel listening, but rather on my Aurender’s...If you want to expand your soundstage by using subwoofers for both HT and 2-channel listening, options are limited. For me the RELs make perfect sense here, because of separate high-level and LFE inputs. Best of both worlds I suppose.. Sorry if my description is a bit confusing.. 
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,782 posts
 
Mass.market surround sound receivers haveway too much stuff going on for too low a price
 And all.of that circuitry impacts resolution

 is not that the denon cant drive the dpeakers it is that a more dedicated two chanel piece will.sound way better 

Wesell.most integratedhard to beat the nad for agreat built in streamer

Dave and troy
Audio intellect
Nad, nuprime deelers
audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,018 posts
 
Keep it seperate, sound will suffer. Jmo. I have a totally different set up for watching movies. My hifi Is completely independent from the surround sound/home theater etc. Dedicated 2 channel hifi with no subs. If speakers can’t go low enough on their own, then imo they should be replaced with a competant pair.
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