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Need help with system connection

Hello audiogon members, 
I am in a bit of a delima. First my components: Simaudio W5 power amp (2 channel), Earthquake power amp (3 channel), OPPO BDP-105, Marantz AV7701 preamp processor, Von Schweikert VR4, LCR15 center, and NHT surrounds, Benchmark DAC1. Sources: Apple TV, Fire TV. 
I recently purchased the DAC1, which I am using as a preamp connected directly to Simaudio. Love the sound! I am getting the details, soundstage and clarity which was missing in OPPO 105 DAC (more musical). 
Delima: When watching movies using my Apple TV or Fire TV in Dolby Digital, how do I use the FR/FL speakers? Since the Simaudio is now ‘taken up’ by the DAC1, I am only left with the Earthquake 3 channel amp and Marantz to watch movies in Dobly Digital since DAC1 does not play that coding. 
My 3.1 channel works - but how do i run the signal through the DAC1 for the FR/FL channel. Even through the sound will be out of sync, I’ll be okay. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, ghulamr
128x128ghulamr
9 responses Add your response
ghulamr's avatar
ghulamr OP
104 posts
 
The shortest direct path is always better no doubt. But purchasing another piece of equipment (analog stereo preamp) may not sit well with my wife and the DAC1 works really well with the Simaudio W5. 
Hate to sell my DAC - will play around with the jumper setting inside my DAC while in the calibrated mode and go through the Marantz pre to see if the sound improves. 
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,181 posts
 
I think any sort of switcher will degrade signal purity and sound quality since it has to go through another circuitry.
@caphill, There’s a switching circuitry in the analog preamp for HT bypass!
DAC1 > analog preamp input selector > volume control > HT bypass switcher > analog preamp output > power amp
caphill
674 posts
 
I think any sort of switcher will degrade signal purity and sound quality since it has to go through another circuitry. 

@ghulamr 
You will need to get an analog stereo preamp that has HT bypass input. And you can run your Benchmark DAC1 directly to the stereo analog preamp, and run the front LR channels pre-outs of your Marantz HT processor to the HT bypass input on the stereo analog preamp thus bypassing the volume control on the stereo preamp when using your Marantz HT processor for surround sound movie playbacks. And simply connect the stereo analog preamp to your Simaudio power amp for your front LR speakers. 
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,181 posts
 
Obvious question: will there be a sound degradation of any sort?
Not to my ears, I use a xlr switcher on ML-26S preamp to DAC and phono pre years ago.
ghulamr's avatar
ghulamr OP
104 posts
 
Thank you for your quick response. Obvious question: will there be a sound degradation of any sort? Also, what do audiophiles do to handle dedicated listening and HT. Not everyone is blessed to have a separate listening room and a home theater. I possibly could not be the first person to run into this issue. Thanks again. 
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,181 posts
 
IME, Goldpoint is very good.
 http://www.goldpt.com/sw2x.html
ghulamr's avatar
ghulamr OP
104 posts
 
Thank you. That does make a ton of sense. Do you know of a good one out there that has XLR connectors on both ends? 
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,181 posts
 
A line level A/B switcher connect to Simaudio W5 input and you can select Benchmark DAC1 or Marantz AV7701 as a preamp.

http://www.goldpt.com/sw2x.html
ghulamr's avatar
ghulamr OP
104 posts
 
Forgot to mention - my preference is to use the DAC1 as preamp. When I have Marantz be the preamp the sound quantity goes south. Thanks again
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