Help! Receiver or preamp? Im overwhelmed...


I need some help. Been gone for years and much has changed and Im just overwhelmed with the years of info on the forums. I dont want to make a foolish decision and would so appreciate the communities gracious knowledge and assistance.

Im 75% music and 25% HT. 

Gear:
Paradigm Studio 100 v4 mains Paradigm CC690 center 
Paradigm V2monitor surrounds
SVS PB13 Ultra Sub
Emotiva XPA 5 amp (200x5)
Keeping all the above

The old 5 channel Rotel HT1055 receiver (no HDMI) needs to upgrade even though I love the sound! Im fine with 5.1 and not interested in Atmos. Im also fine with a used item. What do you reccomend for some killer sound and updated HDMI?

jsbranham7

Showing 1 response by burndonesinkchair

This may not suit your purposes, but I don’t use the video portion of my preamp for purposes of convenience. All HDMI sources are routed directly to my display and I use the Toslink output of the display to forward the sound into my 2.0 setup. You could also use the S/PDIF outs from each video source to the Digital inputs of your Rotel.
I actually found that audio over HDMI sounds a little edgy and fatiguing. When I first heard audio via HDMI, I called up the local HiFi shop and asked their resident audiophiles; they told me they preferred S/PDIF to HDMI for the same reasons.
Since you like the sound from your Rotel and if HDMI switching is necessary, I’d suggest staying with Rotel for a replacement, preferably a preamp, depending on what you are willing to pay. As always, I recommend used gear. These things depreciate faster than a new car, especially when newer features & formats are added.