pbphoto

No but it's easy. I've thought about a 2-channel pre-amp with HT bypass but can't justify the coin (yet.)

Yes. I have a passive-pre for my two-channel listening. Basically a switch box between my DAC and TT with a volume attenuator. The other pre is an AVR for movies and the kids' PS4, appleTV etc. The two are never used at the same time but the passive pre's volume attenuator is always part of the equation. In other words, when playing a move with the AVR, I make sure my two-channel passive pre's volume is set at a consistent level - like 12 o'clock - and this makes the volume of my L/R speakers match the rest of the center/surround speakers.

I just use Y-cables to the unbalanced inputs on my amp.

I don't have a ton of comparisons but, IMHO, the Ortofon 2M blue elliptical is a great bang for the bitcoin. Lots of variables in play and many depend on your tonearm.

It looks like you are using the DAC inside the Cambridge and sending balanced analog to the MA5300? Have you had a chance to try the DAC inside the MA5300 for comparison? Beautiful setup BTW.

For ROON users, you can also export the REW EQ filters as wav files and import them into ROON's DSP engine as a convolution filter to apply room correction or house curves. REW plus a UMIK-1 is a very powerful combo. Red=filter off, blue = filter on.

Translation: they couldn't renegotiate their contracts ;-)

He's going to die in prison real soon

Or, have you considered a set of Forte 3's or Chorus 2's instead?

I'm not sure if it's better or worse but it does have several different gain settings to match up with your TT and cart. Seems worth it for an extra $30.

Might want to check out the Schiit Mani - $129 US. Crazy good for the money. Lots of flexibility. http://www.schiit.com/products/mani

Then use the one in the turntable and add a subwoofer ;-) I really don't know then. There should not be a big difference in built-in phono preamps when driving a very standard (easy) 3.5mV MM output from the AT95e. On the one hand, it might be worth $100 to see if you prefer an external phono preamp. On the other hand, you could just be adding a 3rd flavor to the mix.

I would just make sure your 'equalizer switch' on the turntable and the 'line-phono' switch on the power gate are both set correctly when you are doing your comparisons. From your description, are you hearing a huge difference between the two that is immediately apparent? Or do you have to really listen hard for a while before your audible memory thinks it can hear a difference?

Double check all the settings on your 8802 pre-amp. DSP/Audessey etc. Are they set to large or small? Or As a test, feed your 2-channel source directly into the amp bypassing the 8802 completely.

Just ran a test from my MacBook Pro via Bluetooth to the R-15PM's. Played a bunch of sounds. Waited a couple minutes. Played the sounds again. They all sounded complete and normal to me.

Can I have a hit of whatever you're smokin'?

I've been very happy with my McIntosh MC-58 the last few years, for both HT and 2-channel. They can be found used from $900-1200 depending on the age and condition. They were manufactured from 2000 to around 2014, so there's lots out there. It's a very flexible and customizable 8-channel amp. I have mine set for 5-channel, with the front three channels bridged and the two rear channels stand-alone. The variable input level controls on each channel are very helpful matching up with your pre-amp and/or compensating for different speaker sensitivities, as will always be the case if your L/R channels are LSII's.

810 or 850?

I've never heard a Marantz AVR so I can't say. My 16 year old Yamaha won't die on me, but I think the right channel is starting to go, so I may be on the market soon too. Yamaha seems to have great reliability and things like HDMI switching and compatibility work well. I think at this price point, any of the Japanese brands can be made to sound the same for HT. It comes down to features and your personal preference on how those features are implemented. For example, research the differences in bass management and room correction between the two brands you are considering. I don't think one is better than the other - it's just what you prefer.

I think you are splitting hairs at this point and the decision comes down to features, brand reliability and personal preference. I'm not too familiar with Atmos so you should verify whatever you buy has 9 onboard amps to support 5.1.4 to your liking: http://www.avsforum.com/forum/90-receivers-amps-processors/2704201-dolby-atmos-5-1-4-what-receiver.html

The RX-A850 has 100WPC for 2-channels, and that number will drop off sharply when driving 5 or 7 channels. However, your RF-7s and RC-7 are pretty darned efficient, so you should have plenty of power for home theater. Set all your speakers to 'small' and let that giant sub handle all the heavy-wattage lifting. And, if you decide you need more, the RX-A850 has pre-outs to add an external amplifier.

Buy the broken RX-A850 for $25 and send me the contact info of the guy selling the RX-A2060 for $650. Win win :-)

I would be all over that RX-A2060 for $650. IMHO, for home theater, it comes down to features, future compatibility, reliability, and room correction. Once you get to a certain level, and the RX-A2060 is definitely at this level, I think they can all pretty much be made to sound the same or different to your liking.

I have all the 2014 remasters in hi-res digital from HDtracks. Well, except for CODA, but that's a different story. They are the best I've heard and I think the best SQ you can expect from Led Zeppelin, although I haven't heard some of the legendary copies like the Ludwig II pressing or the Diament CDs. If there was distortion in the original master tapes, then it is also present in the 2014 remasters. These are honest mixes, however as with all Led Zeppelin, don't all of a sudden get shy with the bass knob.

2-channel 24/96 PCM stereo max. No DTS. No Dolby. No DSD (I think the tech is wrong.)