Theta Casablanca V. Pure analog bypass. Dirac 3 and better specs than any processor discussed.,Has ARCe too. 12 channel digital out as well
Lyngdorf MP-50 Alternative
I currently have a Lyngdorf MP-50 Preamp. I love the sound and the flexibility of the unit however it doesn't have analog inputs, and I would really like to have them on my next unit. Currently my set up consists of the MP-50, McIntosh 207, Kef Reference 3 towers and reference 2c center, JL Audio 113 subs with an Aurender N100H streamer.
I would like to have the option of adding equipment with an external DAC but that isn't currently possible. So my question is, what will give me close to the same results that Room Perfect on the MP-50 gives me, without needing to be professionally installed? Music play back is very important, yet I really don't want to give up HT performance. What do you suggest I look at for a replacement? HDMI 2.1 isn't a must, but eARC is.
Thanks in advance!
I would like to have the option of adding equipment with an external DAC but that isn't currently possible. So my question is, what will give me close to the same results that Room Perfect on the MP-50 gives me, without needing to be professionally installed? Music play back is very important, yet I really don't want to give up HT performance. What do you suggest I look at for a replacement? HDMI 2.1 isn't a must, but eARC is.
Thanks in advance!
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I have the MP50 and as a pre it’s not bad. The Octave HP700 has more soundstage depth, detail and a lower noice floor. However once I add in my chord Dave and compare that to the MP50 with its internal DAC there is no comparison. The Octave/Dave combo is in a whole other league as it should be at 3.5x more. |
I'm heavily leaning toward the 2 box approach. So as respects bluray concerts, the Lyngdorf will still provide very good SQ, just maybe not to the extent of my Krell S1200, but still very good. And, given that my room is FAR from good acoustically, it may even improve with RP (I'm 15x22 basement. slab floor, 2/3 slab walls, 7 ft drop ceiling, back wall goes from 22' to 27', so not straight across) |
Couldn’t agree more with audiom3. I have a Lyngdorf MP50 that I use in conjunction with an octave audio pre with HT bypass and octave monoblocs. Then I use Krall TAS 5 channel for the center and surrounds. Lyngdorf for the movies/Xbox and octave pre with separate DAC for two channel listening. Works great! |
Why not add a stereo preamp with HT bypass? I own a Lyngdorf MP-60 2.1 but only use it for movies, gaming and video streaming. I have an Ayre KX/VX-5 Twenty combo for anything 2 channel (DAC and TT at the moment). The Lyngdorf's R/L outputs go into one of the Ayre's inputs which then are assigned to HT bypass (wide open, so the Lyng can control the volume). There are lots of stereo preamps with HT bypass if you want to spend less though. It really is the best of both worlds for one room systems. |
Hi wheelndeal, wondering how the new Lyngdorf is working for you. The sonic performance is supposedly identical to the MP40, its just more feature-rich. I'm in same boat as you, as I have a wonderful CD/SACD player that I want to use analog output from without re-digitizing. What made you decide not to pursue the analog option (or did you find a workaround)? |
What I really need is a ADC. The Lyngdorf only has digital inputs. While I have no analog sources I would like the option to as a quality turntable. I don't remember saying I need room correction for 2 channel, only that I want end user, room correction for the pre-pro. Two channel analog input is all I asked for, so yes, I do know what I'm asking. Analog input, that is it, nothing more. The Lyngdorf has the ability to easily bypass the room correction if wanted. So that isn't an issue or concern. Over the past few weeks I looked at the Trinnov, Datasat as well as the Acurus ACT4-20. In the end I ordered a new Lyngdorf MP-60 2.1. The Lyngdorf just checked more boxes than the others. I’ve been extremely happy with the MP-50 and the MP-60 adds to that platform. The ability to make changes in the room, be it new speakers, or locations, I can quickly and easily run room perfect. Most of the others I would need to have someone come and recalibrate the prepro. The Acurus does offer room correction, however it’s $2700 for the calibration kit. Two shops that sold the ACT4 and the MP-60, didn’t bat an eye at recommending the MP-60 over the ACT4. Yes the Trinnov was on the top of everyones list, but all said the Lyngdorf isn't that far off. In order to get the Trinnov to outperform the MP60 it would need to be professionally calibrated, and in the end ultimately recommended the Lyngdorf. |
@soix that’s why I recommended the Trinnov Altitude. It is a surround sound processor that offers very powerful and flexible room correction (room + speaker via the Trinnov Optimizer), has analog inputs, and both analog and digital outputs. The Trinnov Optimizer can be executed using either the analog outputs, or the digital output to a whole other stack of electronics including a stereo DAC. Multiple presets means you can save different settings for when you are playing back surround sound (either with the analog outputs or with most analog and two channels digital) and when you are playing back stereo (again, either with the analog outputs or with a two channel digital output). Alternatively, the Altitude can also perform ADC and run the optimizer on the analog inputs as well. The Optimizer can also be turned off. The Trinnov Altitude will do everything requested (including eARC and HDMI 2.1). And it will sound outstanding. |
@nekoaudio Yeah I know, and that’s what I was going to suggest he do. But he also seems to want room correction in 2-channel, and that’s where this thing goes off the rails with using a separate DAC. I’m not sure the OP knows exactly what he’s asking for or what’s possible, which is probably why you and I are spinning our wheels here. |
@soix I guess you could interpret wanting analog inputs means the request to use an external DAC is as an input into the SSP, but I read them as separate. It wasn't explicitly stated that the additional "equipment with external DAC" was going to be used as an input into the SSP. As usually a 2-channel system is placed after a HT system, and HT bypass is engaged on the 2-channel system when you are in HT mode. And when doing 2-channel playback most of your HT stuff is turned off and the 2-channel system is "fully on". |
@nekoaudio the OP is looking for a surround sound processor that has room correction and digital outputThat’s not what he said... I love the sound and the flexibility of the unit however it doesn’t have analog inputs, and I would really like to have them on my next unit.This post is not making sense to me. |
@soix the OP is looking for a surround sound processor that has room correction and digital output, in order to put the outboard 2-channel DAC after the room correction. So there would be no ADC. The Trinnov Altitude surround sound processor does have this feature, as well as multiple presets so you can create both a surround sound optimizer setting as well as a 2-channel optimizer setting that you can switch between at the touch of a button. |
You can find a full list of brands that support Dirac in a surround sound processor on the Dirac Live downloads page. Dirac is an outstanding solution and one that I recommend. Past Dirac, I would recommend the Trinnov Altitude16. This offers best-in-class room + speaker optimization in addition to a whole bunch of other features you'd likely benefit from in both surround sound and 2-channel. Plus it has outstanding analog sound quality, often considered best (and in my opinion best) among its competitors. It also has 2-channel digital output so you can use it with an external 2-channel DAC. |
