kr4

Responses from kr4

What Pre/Pro do you recommend?
Not so much overrated as impractical. The demos do not have to be in your own room/system but, to be informing, in the same room/system, as with any component.As for the various roomEQ options, that can be assessed more objectively by reading revi... 
Sound format question....
What version of Pandora are you listening to? The free version is low bitrate MP3. Even Pandora One (premium version) is only 192kbps MP3, not high quality except by comparison to the free version. I do not know what the rest of your system is but... 
External Drive Help
I do not know if you can take the warning against WD drives generally. I use WD Red 4T drives and they are rated well, 2nd only to the Hitachi drives in their category (SMB/SOHO/consumer). So far, none have failed me but, of course, nothing lasts ... 
External Drive Help
I have two of the QNAP NAS boxes with the same library on each and keep them at different locations. They update each other over ethernet (slow) or by my taking a 4tB HD from one to the other.I have a couple of the 1-2tB portable drives for casual... 
Is dedicated PreAmp with Oppo 105 needed?
I'm not sure what additional info I can provide. I need it for HT 5.1 setup with atleast 2 XLR i/p & preferably 5 XLR o/p.I got that. What else do you want it to do? 
Audioquest Earth interconnect review
I understand but there are so many ambiguities in acronym meanings that, after years of following what you state, I have now adopted current usage. 
Audioquest Earth interconnect review
I am using* three 10m Earth interconnects for connection between my AR MP1 and B&W 800D2s. My findings mirror yours including the issues with the XLRs.*Actually, not right now because the whole system is down for room renovations. 
Is dedicated PreAmp with Oppo 105 needed?
That's a mixed bag. The Classe 600 is ancient by prepro standards. The same can be said of any Theta CB that would fit your budget. The Onkyo/Integras are OK. The Herron is stereo only. Of the pack, I would go with the Anthem D2 if it is a somewha... 
Is dedicated PreAmp with Oppo 105 needed?
The ModWright SWL 9.0 SE is only two channel. 
Is dedicated PreAmp with Oppo 105 needed?
Look at the NuForce AVP-18. 
Best multichannel amp for quality stereo listening
I do not know if the Peachtree Nova has a HT Bypass input but that is the best way to integrate your two goals. If it does, get a decent modern AVR with L/R line level outputs. That way the main speakers function as L/R for the HT operations and t... 
Sony SCD-XA-5400 ES DAC Match
Looks like it does everything but I have no other knowledge of it. 
Stepping up to the next level ? HT and Music
I know of no similar preamps, with or without tubes. 
Sony SCD-XA-5400 ES DAC Match
1. The digital (coax, optical) output is only from CDs, not SACDs.2. The only HD digital output from SACD is via HDMI. I do not know of any HDMI-input DAC in that price-range, only prepros. 
Stepping up to the next level ? HT and Music
1. You can get equal/better results with the Classe PEQ but you have to work much harder for it. You would have to buy a measurement/analysis system (REW, XTZ, etc.) and a calibrated microphone, hook them up to a PC and learn how to measure and ca...