Why do you need the Emotiva or any other such device (except for HT)? Why not DAC output to the amps?
I control the volume from JRiver. What player are you using?How will I control the volume for all three dacs?
I'd use a switch if I needed or wanted HT with independence from my music source.And I also need the amps for HT.
In my CT. system, I play music/audio with JRiver through 3 Mytek Brooklyn DACs which feed the 7.1 analog input on the Marantz AV8805. The result is very satisfying as well as clearly superior to running digital into the Marantz (despite Amir's critical comments on the latter). This is also very convenient in operation.Another way to ask what I'm referring to in post #40 is, of the Pre/Pros that Amir has listed, is there a way to judge the performance of a pure analog path: MCH Analog in>>>RCA/Balanced Out.
No DAC, no HDMI, no tone controls, Volume control only.
Balanced. The one I am building will use sealed relay switching rather than a rotary switch with vulnerable contacts.(Kal, that switch box looks definitely intriguing - please let us know how it works out! Will you be using to switch balanced or unbalanced signals?)
or USB or LAN or any other digital route.Definitely agreed that your's/mine is definitely superior to HDMI.
I added one of these:Controlling volume with JRiver is an option but not necessarily a domestically friendly one...
Kal,
do you have a reference for the above volume control?
Yes. I have tried tried most of those but this little toy is a real physical volume knob which I prefer to keyboard buttons, anything on a tablet screen or a remote control with up/down buttons. https://www.amazon.com/DROK-Lossless-Computer-Controller-Adjuster/dp/B01MV411BRIf using something like miniDSP there's the WI-DG smartphone/tablet app.. FLIRC in conjunction with JRiver... IR extenders... etc.
Dang, there's a plethora of these things on amazon right around that price.Yes. I have tried tried most of those but this little toy is a real physical volume knob which I prefer to keyboard buttons, anything on a tablet screen or a remote control with up/down buttons. https://www.amazon.com/DROK-Lossless-Computer-Controller-Adjuster/dp/B01MV411BR
No doubt. I saw quite a few but was unable to find out anything useful or relevant about them to help me make a choice. So, I picked this one because the mfr. has a real website and I have Amazon Prime (if there are problems). It works. Not perfectly but good enough. I cannot say whether any of the others are better or worse.Dang, there's a plethora of these things on amazon right around that price.
Yes. I have tried tried most of those but this little toy is a real physical volume knob which I prefer to keyboard buttons, anything on a tablet screen or a remote control with up/down buttons. https://www.amazon.com/DROK-Lossless-Computer-Controller-Adjuster/dp/B01MV411BR
It needs the wire for USB control. Have you looked at the Microsoft Surface Dial?It’s definitely more ergonomic — but could be better — wish there was a battery option in it so one could eschew the wire altogether.
One way is with a switch. If I was using unbal/RCA, I would use my Zektor MAS7.1 (https://www.stereophile.com/content/music-round-27-page-2 ). Since I prefer bal/XLR, I need an 8 channel switch which I am working onYes, you can run your dac(s) straight into the power amp(s) and control the volume, but now how are you going to operate your Oppo/Directv (HDMI) without separate amps/speakers?
You have to decide that for yourself. I do that with my CT system rather than bother with more complexity.Or, is the MCH analog passthrough function of Pre/Pro devices much cleaner than the Amir measurements otherwise indicate?
Those are all unbal/RCA devices and I already have a Zektor MAS7.1 for that. Since I need 8 channels of bal/XLR switching, I am experimenting with stacking 4 of these WZ-60 switches.I have been thinking about the same issues as I assemble what is required for the expansion to high quality multichannel audio.
I suppose there are not enough of us to interest hardware producers. Some potential do it yourself items are listed below.
For me home theater will be definitely secondary or tertiary and of only incidental interest.
I haven't pulled any triggers yet because I haven't figured out how many multi channel sources will go to my crossover inputs.
A recordist friend of mine suggests a patch bay but I am not inclined to move half a dozen cables to change inputs. Nor even three , if stereo cable sets were used.
It looks like there will be at least three sources. An AV Pre Processor, and Oppo 205 and a computer/NAS
https://www.tindie.com/products/skrodahl/muffsy-relay-input-selector-kit/
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/169...chweb0_0,searchweb201602_8,searchweb201603_52
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/400...chweb0_0,searchweb201602_8,searchweb201603_52
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/400...chweb0_0,searchweb201602_8,searchweb201603_52
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/328...chweb0_0,searchweb201602_8,searchweb201603_52
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/328...chweb0_0,searchweb201602_8,searchweb201603_52
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/328...chweb0_0,searchweb201602_8,searchweb201603_52