Amplifier for Wharfedale Linton, budget $ 1,300

[kaffe]

You need a converter the Aux out on newer MacBook is analog not like the older Macs that had 3.5mm optical out..
You can use a headphone 3.5mm to RCA and go analog in.
Cable

Yep, I was thinking about trying such a one to begin with. Do you know if it is necessary to use Pure Direct mode to avoid using the Yamaha DAC even when it’s fed an analog signal?

The relevance of the question is based on the assumption that the MacBook Pro m2 DAC is in fact better than the one in the Yamaha A-S701. If that is not the case, I would of course prefer to use the one in the Yamaha.

 

[kaffe]

Buy a WiiM Mini and plug it in with Toslink cable and that's about it (regarding streamer and using internal DAC).

I am thinking about using my laptop for Dirac Live and playing music in which case I wouldn’t actually need a streamer. I’d use Spotify in the manner Daniel mentioned instead.

Sorry for causing a lot of confusion, but I am getting more insights all the time.

If I can use my laptop for Dirac rather than a miniDSP that would save me a serious amount of cash.

 

[JustJones]

I'm not sure what Pure Direct does other than bypass the Tone Controls and Loudness Control. The manual says something about turning off other inputs to help with noise but I doubt it would be enough of a difference to hear. You say you want to try Dirac either on computer or maybe Minidsp. I would use a 3.5mm Aux to RCA cable and get up and running. Then you give yourself a chance to slow down and read about how Dirac works, do I want my computer using resources doing DSP or would I rather save a bit and get a Minidsp. If you get the Minidsp then you don't need a Dac depending on the model. Also give you time look at Dacs if you go that route and keep Dirac on the MacBook.

 

[ZolaIII]

@kaffe I don't think you understand Daniel correctly. Spotify uses it's own API to stream directly to the streaming device from phone app that's pretty much all. You don't need Dirac nor will any semi auto room correction be able to do the job as you can, eventually come close with a lot of assistance as it assumes a lot and a lot doesn't exactly translate like that in the end. Of course doing it yourself includes learning, trial and error and experimenting including induction and external assistance which quite frankly no automatic system (including AI) simply can't do.

 

[JustJones]

I've never cared much for Dirac. I like REW and using minimum filters but Dirac is pretty easy to use and if you add Subs can make that easier as well.

 

[Golf]

the question is based on the assumption that the MacBook Pro m2 DAC is in fact better than the one in the Yamaha A-S701

If so, I’d eat a broom – a German saying

On the other hand: The A-S701 is about 10 years old now. Yamaha’s japanese website for instance is not listing it.

 

[kaffe]

@kaffe I don't think you understand Daniel correctly. Spotify uses its own API to stream directly to the streaming device from phone app that's pretty much all. You don't need Dirac nor will any semi auto room correction be able to do the job as you can, eventually come close with a lot of assistance as it assumes a lot and a lot doesn't exactly translate like that in the end. Of course doing it yourself includes learning, trial and error and experimenting including induction and external assistance which quite frankly no automatic system (including AI) simply can't do.

Since by using Spotify I can use my iPhone as a remote to control the music being played on the laptop, it makes for a lot more convenient and enjoyable solution for me compared to if I had to either go to the laptop every time I wanted to change track, or alternately have a cable dragged across the floor of my living room. This makes me want to use my laptop in the first place.

So since it makes sense for me to play music from the laptop it suddenly makes sense for me to use Dirac software on it as well which is a thing I want to try out either way.

Edit: Probably trying to after-rationalize this one way or another (yes, I am tired). Guess I eventually realized it would make sense to bring in that laptop I have been paid more than I should for rather than go out and pay 800 dollars for a miniDSP

 

[ZolaIII]

I've never cared much for Dirac. I like REW and using minimum filters but Dirac is pretty easy to use and if you add Subs can make that easier as well.

ARC is better than Dirac (using a lot more computional power and on a PC) but even ARC ain't even close what you can do and pretty much presents things ideal purposely but when you fire up REW you see how much of that is a lie.

 

[JustJones]

the question is based on the assumption that the MacBook Pro m2 DAC is in fact better than the one in the Yamaha A-S701

I haven't seen measurements of either. The amplifier section is probably worse than either of those and the speakers/room most definitely. I wouldn't bet a nickel on myself being able to tell in a blind test if the MacBook dac, Yamaha Dac or an external USB dac rated in the excellent section here were in use.

 

[ZolaIII]

I haven't seen measurements of either. The amplifier section is probably worse than either of those and the speakers/room most definitely. I wouldn't bet a nickel on myself being able to tell in a blind test if the MacBook dac, Yamaha Dac or an external USB dac rated in the excellent section here were in use.

It's not DAC it self it's analog input rated SNR and in this case its 100 dB and you can't input more no matter how good the DAC is nor you need as amplifier performance is from 93 up to 96 dB SINAD. However you could dig in noise deaper if input SNR whose better which you can actually hear (as a humm) from speaker woffer when amplification is high and you are close to it. However integrated DAC input line is better autended and in that case you won't hear anything. That's why A-S700 and R-S700 distinguish them self from similar Yamaha lines as they have old property unbalanced input lines with 110 & 106 dB SNR (and only 4~8 dB worse than balanced inputs on much higher end Yamaha models along with described property unbalanced one).
Edit: I am also tired so good night folks and have a nice time.

 

[DanielT]

Since by using Spotify I can use my iPhone as a remote to control the music being played on the laptop, it makes for a lot more convenient and enjoyable solution for me compared to if I had to either go to the laptop every time I wanted to change track, or alternately have a cable dragged across the floor of my living room. This makes me want to use my laptop in the first place.

So since it makes sense for me to play music from the laptop it suddenly makes sense for me to use Dirac software on it as well which is a thing I want to try out either way.

Edit: Probably trying to after-rationalize this one way or another (yes, I am tired). Guess I eventually realized it would make sense to bring in that laptop I have been paid more than I should for rather than go out and pay 800 dollars for a miniDSP

If you have Spotify, you can try this right away. Start Spotify on your mobile, laptop or tablet. Listen to that device's built-in speakers. Then you switch songs with the other device. Very simple.
BUT if you are going to have this solution in your HiFi system, you have to think about whether you want a stationary device that is always plugged into the amplifier or whether you plug in a mobile phone, laptop or tablet when you want to listen to music.

Has this been addressed in the thread? If you want a dedicated streamer that also has four PEQ bands, check this one:

WiiM Pro Plus Streamer Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the WiiM Pro Plus streamer, DAC and preamplifier with Bluetooth support. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $219. While the case is plastic, it still "looks the part" as the Brits would say relative to other more famous brands of...

audiosciencereview.com

Four PEQ bands will get you a long way if you're just tinkering with fixing the FR in the bass area.

If you're going to go the EQ route, buy a measurement microphone, this one is very popular:

Order miniDSP UMIK-1 Measurement Microphone

Buy the UMIK-1 online at SoundImports ✓ Same day shipping ✓ Low shipping rates

www.soundimports.eu

Program as previously mentioned in the thread, add REW so you can see what your measurements look like:
(you need a program so you can perform the measurement operations)

REW room acoustics and audio device measurement and analysis software

REW is free software for room acoustic measurement, loudspeaker measurement and audio device measurement and analysis

www.roomeqwizard.com

Then you can start measuring.

Here's a video about that plus, APO which is free. For REW and APO you need Windows.

 

[Golf]

Here's a video about the plus, APO which is free. For REW and APO you need Windows.

Interesting video! Question: Did I miss something or is there no channel-wise (L/R) correction?

 

[DanielT]

Interesting video! Question: Did I miss something or is there no channel-wise (L/R) correction?

Unfortunately I only have rudimentary knowledge on the subject in question but hopefully someone else will help you.

 

[Roland]

I still struggle to understand the objections to the Denon AVR-X2800. It has 95w into 2 channels, TI PCM5102A dacs, usb input, Audyssey MultEQ XT room correction, network streaming, Spotify, HEOS, Roon support, Air Play 2, the list goes on. However, if you want a silver box I guess it’s a non-starter.

 

[Golf]

the Denon AVR-X2800. It has 95w into 2 channels, TI PCM5102A dacs

I don’t think that the AVR-X2800H comes with a DACs section.

Besides: If it’s actually a 2-channel amplifier what you want, then with the Denon AVR-X2800H you have to pay for a lot of features which you’ll probably hardly ever use. Like all the multichannel stuff, the video renderers, the radio tuners etc etc.

Edit: I correct myself. As the AVR-X2800H has two digital audio inputs (optical), it has to have a built-in DAC.

 

[JustJones]

It's not DAC it self it's analog input rated SNR and in this case its 100 dB and you can't input more no matter how good the DAC is nor you need as amplifier performance is from 93 up to 96 dB SINAD. However you could dig in noise deaper if input SNR whose better which you can actually hear (as a humm) from speaker woffer when amplification is high and you are close to it. However integrated DAC input line is better autended and in that case you won't hear anything. That's why A-S700 and R-S700 distinguish them self from similar Yamaha lines as they have old property unbalanced input lines with 110 & 106 dB SNR (and only 4~8 dB worse than balanced inputs on much higher end Yamaha models along with described property unbalanced one).
Edit: I am also tired so good night folks and have a nice time.

I doubt I could tell the difference in any of the SNR or SINADs you've mentioned. If you turn the volume high enough there are a lot of amps that can cause a slight hum in the woofer if you put you're ear close enough. I still I doubt the difference in these DACs are audible under blind testing at least to me your hearing is probably better. As always YMMV.

 

[JustJones]

I still struggle to understand the objections to the Denon AVR-X2800. It has 95w into 2 channels, TI PCM5102A dacs, usb input, Audyssey MultEQ XT room correction, network streaming, Spotify, HEOS, Roon support, Air Play 2, the list goes on. However, if you want a silver box I guess it’s a non-starter.

I struggle to understand things others do but I simply try to help with the decisions they have made.

 

[ZolaIII]

I doubt I could tell the difference in any of the SNR or SINADs you've mentioned. If you turn the volume high enough there are a lot of amps that can cause a slight hum in the woofer if you put you're ear close enough. I still I doubt the difference in these DACs are audible under blind testing at least to me your hearing is probably better. As always YMMV.

Of course you don't and neither do I especially not on speakers but there are lots of people who are annoyed with to less extent humm and more hiss self noise of power amplifiers but they usually listen in a near field. Still having a very good autended analog input especially in case of unbalanced is good to have. Simple chasing top possible performing DAC simply doesn't have any sense, good to very good does this day's because you can have them for cheap but while there is a flud of stereo ones on multichannel front things aren't rosy at all which will hopefully change. Best regards and have a nice time.

 

[JustJones]

Simple chasing top possible performing DAC simply doesn't have any sense

That's what I was trying to say. Most times the Dac isn't the bottleneck the speakers/ room is. I probably wasn't to clear.

 

[kaffe]

I don’t suppose there will be any trouble streaming music from the laptop with Dirac filters to a streaming device like the WiiM Pro?