@bkeske wow, that sounds like a big plate of spaghetti cabling. Think I'd have to see a drawing to comprehend it properly.
Yes, we too (like many others) cut the cable when Netflix went online - 2008'ish. So it's been... over a decade? How can that much time have passed - feeling old.
There is a full HT system in the basement (Denon AVR-X7400H, Xbox1S, 7.4.2 surround (if you count the GoldenEar Tritons built-in active bass as subs - which I do), all the 'surround' effect speakers are Martin Logan (SLM-XLs and in-ceilings). Honestly, I wouldn't mess with that system unless there was no other option.
The 'primary' 2-ch system consists of NAD C388 class D/H? (with BluOS2i and HDMI-2 modules added) run through ATI class A/B (for testing class D vs A/B) and various speakers turn-through the stable - it's a bit of a test-bed for music listening and system tweaking in a dedicated space upstairs.
This project has to do with the 'secondary' 2ch system built into the 'primary' 2ch system - for fun/discovery. Linkwitz LXmini speakers - which I have found to outperform practically everything, including Martin Logan electrostats (which I currently have for sale), and Tekton DI (w/factory upgrade) that I sold very recently. Problem with LXmini is, if you want to tweak them to your liking (like voice them to match Tektons - haha), you can't go the Pass Labs passive crossover route - you must use a 4-channel DSP. Problem with DSP (even the miniDSP4x10HD that I use) is the weak (by some standards) built-in DAC. So how to get the most from a DAC... use USB or coax inputs (optical is limited). The 4x10HD has one (1) coax out - but 2 are needed to produce 4 independent channels required by LXmini. Enter the miniDSP nanoDIGI (with 1 coax in and 4 coax outs and no DACs). Then all you need is two (or in my case 4 - gotta control that sub bass) stereo DACs.
I chose the economical yet highly rated and known to be warm (non-analytical) Topping E30 (x4). This secondary 'fun' system is to be connected like this:
Multi-disc streamer --coax(x1)--> miniDSP 4x10HD (for volume control and input switching) --coax(x1)--> miniDSP nanoDIGI (for active LXmini crossover) --coax(x4)--> Topping E30 (x4) --RCA(x4pr) --> ATI 6012 (12ch amp)
--Spkr(x4)--> LXmini speakers (play down to 35Hz)
--Spkr(x4 bridged = 220wX2)--> open-baffle subs (play below 35Hz)
Notice the small issue above with the miniDSP4x10HD - where it has only one coax input for digital sources - then it also has balanced and unbalanced inputs to be used for analog sources (but those are AD-converted at the input). With this system architecture, all digital sources will have only one DA conversion - performed simultaneously (with ease) by four (4) Topping E30's.
I just need to find that multi-disc streamer with AmazonUHD, coax and HDMI outputs. Even if it had just HDMI out, I could get-by using an audio extractor - but that would likely limit the signal quality, as those extractors are pretty cheap (looking).
@limomangus I did find one Marantz product that is close, the ND8006 is a CD-playing streamer with HEOS. My HT AVR is a Denon with HEOS, and it has Amazon UHD capability (think all HEOS does). ND8006 is missing video entirely, but it does have a coax input - where I could connect the coax output of the Sony Blu-ray player. It just seems like an expensive solution for not being complete. I find nothing in the Denon lineup that fits the bill.
@bkeske the smart TV idea might have merit - if it had a coax output that would pass-through audio from the Sony Blu-ray player HDMI connection - that search is beyond me... way too many choices when TV shopping.
