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Integrating an Oppo 205 into system and need pre-amp and connection advice

This is going to be a long-ish post but I think some background will help so that I can hopefully get some good advice.

I'm getting an Oppo 205 (delivery set for July 5) and have lots of questions on "best" set-up.

Current equipment:
- Marantz 7005 as the processor/ switch hub for my system
- DirectTV, a dead Samsung BluRay Player, and a Roku3, along with an HDMI cable dangling for when I want to add a laptop to stream other video all attached to the Marantz
- TV is a Samsung HD flat screen
- Amps are a pair of Mark Levinson 436 monoblocks for L& R and a Krell Chorus 5200 for center and surrounds
- Speakers are B&W 800N L/R, B&W HTM1center, and in-ceiling for surround, with B&W WP1 mounted high in the corner of the wall-ceiling junction as rear
- Sub is an SVS PC-12 cylinder
- Harmony remote programmed for ease of use
- HDMI between components are Audioquest Carbon and to the TV an Audioquest Cinnamon
- Interconnects are all balanced XLR from BlueJeansCable
- Front L/C/R speaker wires are AudioArtCables SC-5SE with spades to Furutech locking banana

Thoughts about current set-up:
1) Since set-up I've noticed a distinct background hum (possible ground-loop) that I have isolated to be from the Marantz 7005. Some on-line research seems to show that it is a "known" issue with some of these units. I never dealt with this other than lifting the ground - dangerous I know as the lift occurs on the same circuit that the Krell Chorus 5200 is plugged into. Also, the 7005 does not have balanced L/R inputs - one of the reasons I purchased the Oppo.
2) I hate DirectTV and will be getting rid of it in August. However, as the house is in a rural and remote location I will need to get at least basic cable service to get any TV stations (not that I watch much that is not available through streaming apps these days)
3) The TV isn't going to change very soon, but will be changed to a 4K HDR version eventually
4) Surround speakers are not going to change - there's no way to do true surround speaker placement due to room configuration, and I'm hoping to move the majority of the set-up in the next year or so
5) Music listening has really fallen off due to the annoyance with the hum along with the dead disc player - the free Pandora stream is of such low quality that the hum does not take anything away from that casual listening at pretty low volume
6) Most use is video - streaming or via DirectTV
7) Surround is almost exclusively set to Dolby IIx(movie) - I've never been able to figure out the different modes available, and that's the mode that sounds the best for the videos/ movies/ programs we watch
8) I did the Audyssey calibration (several times) but turned it off as it sounded horrible when activated

Plan and questions:
1) I'm planning on hooking all sources (Roku, cable box, computer) to the Oppo 205 via HDMI input so that I can then simply run HDMI video to my TV and get all the processing for video done by the Oppo 205. It seems to me that this will remove any issues with any pre-amp units that do not pass thru HDR signals.
- Q: Does anyone know of a good HDMI splitter with remote control that can be programmed into a Harmony that will allow HDR and do NOT degrade the signal going INTO the Oppo?
- Q: Is my thinking "off" and I should be wiring the sources to the Oppo otherwise? 

2) I'd like a new Pre-amp to replace the Marantz 7005 that allows for XLR input for L/R, and 7.1 input. It seems that the Oppo has better DAC then most of the pre-amps out there.
- Q: If I use the HDMI audio out from the Oppo 205 will the future pre-amp do the "surround mode" processing?
- Q: If I use the 7.1 analog out from the Oppo 205 will there be any "surround mode" processing?

The options I've considered all come with their own pros and cons
- Marantz 8xxx series all are loaded with extra "stuff" - currently I do not want to be paying for Atmos, etc when I will not be using it. The "source direct" is not truly direct and therefore can color the sound (to my reading - PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong). But, the Marantz are really easy to install, and the user interface is well designed
- Krell Foundation sounds like the perfect option until one digs into how the UI is Atari era and not easy for a casual user to figure out AND I've read that the Foundation does not reliably "play well" with a Harmony

Do I even need a pre-amp/processor? The Oppo 205 seemingly can do everything I want it to do and I could change to unbalanced interconnects between the 7.1 analog output from the Oppo 205 into the Krell Chorus 5200
- Q: What would I "lose" if I went this route?
- Q: Could I use XLR for L/R and 5.1 for the surround.sub outputs on the Oppo 205?


I appreciate any and all input!
doctock993

Showing 2 responses by caphill

caphill
666 posts
 
What is your budget for a new pre pro (preamp processor)?
Besides the Krell Foundation and the Marantz AV8802/8805, I would highly recommend getting the following pre pros :

* Bryston SP3 ($9500 brand new). It lacks room EQ but excellent sounding preamp especially its two-channel performance for music or when used as a high end stereo preamp. It will sound way better than the Marantz AV8802 or 8805 and Krell Foundation for stereo playbacks for music. This pre pro is optimized for its stereo performance for music playbacks and feature wise it is pretty barebone.

* Classe Sigma SSP ($5k, $6k brand new) $5k for the original version of the Sigma SSP and $6k for the Sigma SSP Mkii version which includes upgraded HDMI board to accommodate 4K video pass through, hdcp 2.2 and hardware & software upgrades to accommodate decoding capabilities for Dolby Atmos & DTS-X.
This Classe Sigma SSP pre pro is optimized for stereo performance for listening to music or when used as a high end stereo preamp, just like the Bryston SP3. It is a very simple pre pro with minimal connectivities, no multi-channel 7.1 analog audio inputs, no legacy analog video connections but it has stereo analog audio inputs (XLR & RCA), USB inputs (rear & front), spdif, Toslink, HDMI, Ethernet. It is DLNA equipped processor. I would recommend using its rear USB input to stream and for digital download music files. This pre pro lacks an automatic room correction EQ software but instead Classe provides manual PEQ that requires proper tools equipments and knowledge on how to implement. It has XLR balanced outputs only for front L/R channels and single-ended outputs for the rest of the channels.
This is a true differential or fully balanced design preamp processor only for its front L/R channels and the rest of the channels are single-ended but it is optimized single-ended design.
Highly recommended. It will sound better than the Marantz AV8802 or 8805 especially when used as a stereo preamp for music playbacks.

* Classe SSP 800 (used). This pre pro has been discontinued last year. The original msrp was $9500 but nowadays it can be had for under $4k in used markets like Audiogon. The SSP 800 still remains as Classe’s flagship AV pre pro to date but it is somewhat obsolete and has been around for a while. It cannot pass through 4K video nor hdcp 2.2. Cannot decode Dolby Atmos, DTS-X. Its HDMI still runs on v1.4. But it is an excellent sounding pre pro for both surrounds (home theater) and stereo (music). It’s build quality is superb. It has multi-channel 7.1 analog audio inputs, legacy analog video connections, stereo analog audio inputs (XLR & RCA), HDMI, spdif, Toslink.
It has XLR balanced audio outputs for all channels including a subwoofer channel. This is a true differential of fully balanced design pre pro for all channels. It isn’t DLNA equipped, no USB inputs.
Like the Sigma SSP, the SSP 800 lacks of any automatic room correction EQ but has manual PEQ.
Highly recommended.

* NAD M17 or M17 v2 ($5500).
caphill
666 posts
 
I forgot to add the Anthem AVM60 pre pro ($3k). This is an absolute steal. Its ARC2 (Anthem Room Correction) is regarded one of the best and it really works very well and way outperforms the Audyssey Advance Pro used in the Marantz AV8802/8805. 
The Anthem AVM60 with its ARC2 engaged will outperform the Marantz AV8802 when used for surround sound movies (home theater) and with the Audyssey Advance Pro engaged in the Marantz AV8802.

However, the ARC2 in the Anthem AVM60 is difficult to use and implement correctly whereas the Audyssey are easy to use and pretty much plug n play kinda thing.
With the Anthem's ARC2 built in the AVM60 I would suggest that you hire a pro or your Anthem dealer to perform calibration for you. 

And the Anthem AVM60 stereo performance for music playbacks is probably on par with the Marantz AV8802. Basic sound quality wise both Classe and Bryston SP3 are superior especially when used as a stereo preamp for 2ch music playbacks than the Anthem AVM60 or the Marantz AV8802/8805. The Bryston SP3 and both Classe processors can also serve as high end analog stereo preamp. 
The NAD M17 and the Krell Foundation will also sound better than the Marantz AV8802 or the Anthem AVM60 when used as a stereo preamp for 2ch music playbacks.

But the Marantz has more bells & whistles than the Anthem AVM60. The AVM60 isn't equipped with video processor/upscaler whereas all Marantz processors are equipped with fancy video processor/upscaler.
The Bryston SP3 and both Classe SSP 800 & Sigma SSP aren't equipped with video processor/upscaler either. 

All being said, having all these preamp processors will give you better audio performances than using a built-in preamp processor (volume control) section in the Oppo 205 IMO. 
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