* any other things I'm not thinking of?hdmi audio extractor?
Preamp with HDMI inputs
Hi there. I'm looking to upgrade my preamp. Would love some advice! My current set up:
Ohm Walsh 1000 speakersParasound HCA1000A amp (225 watts)Parasound PHP800 preamp
The problem is that I literally _only_ listen to music via Airplay at this point. The input is my Apple TV, running through a fairly budget Benq projector. Since the preamp has no HDMI inputs, I'm running analog audio directly out of the projector into my preamp. Kinda shitty I'd imagine due to the bad DAC on the projector and the noise coming from the fan in there.
I definitely want to keep my amp. I'm not interested in surround sound or a subwoofer. What I'm looking for is a preamp (or integrated/receiver with pre-outs) that has HDMI inputs and outputs. I'd be fine with getting a HT receiver and just not using the additional channels, but am most focused on stereo quality. Budget is ~$500 and definitely happy to go used.
I've found a few products that meet the bill. Frankly, they seem like they are all clones of each other:
Denon DRA-800H
Marantz NR1200Integra DTM-7
Onkyo TX-8270
For each of those except the Marantz, there are only pre-outs for zone 2, but I don't see why I can't have zone 2 just be my main zone. Of all of these, seems like the Denon is the best option. It seems like the Denon and Marantz have a DAC per channel (the others don't), which might be more pure.
Bumping up to about 1K, there are some NAD products that could work.
I'm wondering:
* anyone have thoughts on these particular products?* is there _really_ any reason why I shouldn't get some 5.1 HT behemoth that has pre-outs and just use that?
* are there any products that are a few years older that would fit the bill that I can get used?
* any other things I'm not thinking of?
Thanks!
Ohm Walsh 1000 speakersParasound HCA1000A amp (225 watts)Parasound PHP800 preamp
The problem is that I literally _only_ listen to music via Airplay at this point. The input is my Apple TV, running through a fairly budget Benq projector. Since the preamp has no HDMI inputs, I'm running analog audio directly out of the projector into my preamp. Kinda shitty I'd imagine due to the bad DAC on the projector and the noise coming from the fan in there.
I definitely want to keep my amp. I'm not interested in surround sound or a subwoofer. What I'm looking for is a preamp (or integrated/receiver with pre-outs) that has HDMI inputs and outputs. I'd be fine with getting a HT receiver and just not using the additional channels, but am most focused on stereo quality. Budget is ~$500 and definitely happy to go used.
I've found a few products that meet the bill. Frankly, they seem like they are all clones of each other:
Denon DRA-800H
Marantz NR1200Integra DTM-7
Onkyo TX-8270
For each of those except the Marantz, there are only pre-outs for zone 2, but I don't see why I can't have zone 2 just be my main zone. Of all of these, seems like the Denon is the best option. It seems like the Denon and Marantz have a DAC per channel (the others don't), which might be more pure.
Bumping up to about 1K, there are some NAD products that could work.
I'm wondering:
* anyone have thoughts on these particular products?* is there _really_ any reason why I shouldn't get some 5.1 HT behemoth that has pre-outs and just use that?
* are there any products that are a few years older that would fit the bill that I can get used?
* any other things I'm not thinking of?
Thanks!
18 responses Add your response
Don't look at HT receivers. You want an HT Processor (it's basically an HT receiver without the internal amplifier part). For new, the Outlaw 975 at $549 is the only one in your budget (or Outlaw 976 if you want something a little better for $929). Otherwise, used is the only alternative. On audiogon, search through the "Category => Home Theater => Processors" section. There are several that may work for you. Onkyo PR-SC885 at $450 Anthem AV-50 at $700 Rotel RSP-1572 at $775 |
there really isn't a cheap 2-channel option except for those really cheap "HDMI audio extractors" for under $50. The only 2-channel option I know of that has HDMI inputs/outputs is the Classe Sigma 2200i integrated amp. There's a guy on ebay selling a bunch of these for $2k brand new. He does have one "open box" version for $1700. |
Well, sure, you could use an HT receiver as a processor. However, it's really a cheap swiss-army knife type of device since they are trying to shove as many different features and functions into a single unit at that low purchase cost. The DAC and audio stages are not going to be as good as the dedicated HT Processors, so if you're not going to use the amp part of the HT Receiver, it would be better to put your money towards an HT Processor. The end result would be that the HT Processor would sound a lot better than any of these HT Receivers. I don't know any of those receivers personally, but based on the typical sonic signatures of those brands, I would likely choose the Integra. |
Does your TV, projector, apple box have a digital out? or even lightning cable out, you can get a USB from the lightning cable and use that to feed an outboard DAC. get a decent DAC and skip the HDMI all together. Schiit audio for example has DAC's in all price ranges. there are also HDMI to USB audio converters out there. they are dead cheep think $20. google it you will need one that works with IOS I'd imagine. |
I realize a stand-alone dac isn’t what I want either, because another issue is that my existing preamp has no remote control feature. The Shiit would’ve been a killer move though. I actually already have the older ATV with optical out. Damn that Essence is EXACTLY what I’m looking for! Anything else like that? Seems hard to find a good used model. |
I used to be in the same boat looking for an extractor . There were no essence available at the time . But as i got researching , i think that unit has had other names and packaging. I may be wrong but no name made in china. I came across the nad M51 . I liked it so much i bought another for my other system. Check out the reviews and specs . They are no longer made but they have created a more consumer mainstream version with the same internals. |
I like the outlaw suggestion. A similar choice would be emotiva. The UMC 200 is great for around $300 used. HDMI in/out and has a really nice dac. It's compact and not loaded with tons of garbage like HT receivers. The XMC 1 is more money but even nicer. My 200 has a nicer DAC than my Oppo 105 for a lot less. You could get your hands on an Oppo too? |
The miniDSP nanoAVR HDA might work for you, I’ve had my eye on it for a while but the 2ch downmixer in my HDMI switch seems to be fine. The miniDSP has the benefit of letting you decide how to mix the surround channels plus pretty much any other tweak you want to make to the frequency response. |
A
hdmi audio extractor can pass-through hdmi and output SPDIF digital audio, so why limit yourself to preamp with hdmi input? https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Audio-Stereo-Extractor-Converter/dp/B07KRWYN4R/ref=asc_df_B07KRW... |