New system advice needed

[augerpro]

My old Marantz SR7007 is dead so I'm revamping my system. My HTPC (Ryzen 5600GT, B550 chipset, Win11, JRiver) is my only source for music and movies. I intend to use external amps, Parasound Halos and Emotiva Basx A3+. Both of these amps have XLR balanced inputs and I would like to use them if possible. I don't need all sorts of trendy features like streaming. Just something to decode music and movies and has a remote control. I don't even listen to the radio or have a CD or Bluray hooked up (currently anyway). The product selection is very different than it was 10 years ago and not for the better as far as I can see. Any advice a high sound quality processor for my needs? BTW I do want room correction, but I'm also considering using Dirac on my HTPC so I'm not sure I really need it in the processor.

 

[augerpro]

I wonder if I can use J River to decode and then use something like the MiniDSP Flex HTx? I can get a Dirac license with it and it doesn't do anything I don't need.

 

[Mort]

. I don't need all sorts of trendy features like streaming

Lol, is that a trendy feature?

Anyway yes, MiniDsp is a great option. That's what I do.

Take a look at this thread about replacing an AVR with a MiniDsp flex system. It's more complex to manage, which is why I don't generally recommend it. But it's arguably a better system for the same cost.

It's certainly more fun.

 

[augerpro]

I was just now reading that thread. Any recommendations on conventional AVR/prepros? I'd like to stay $1-2k but will consider buying used also.

 

[Mort]

The Denon x3800h/x4800h is probably most commonly recommended. I owned the x4800h and it's great. No balanced, but has decent bass management and room correction.

 

[vsch]

The Denon x3800h/x4800h is probably most commonly recommended. I owned the x4800h and it's great. No balanced, but has decent bass management and room correction.

Moreover, with a Denon x3800h/x4800h you can use @OCA's free and open-source A1 Acoustica room correction, which is way better than the included Audyssey XT32 and works like a charm. If I remember correctly, some on this forum compared it to Dirac and found it on par or even better. @OCA has several youtube videos where he explains how to use it and why it's so much better.

You should be able to use it with the Audyssey mic that comes with the AVR, or for better accuracy, with a UMIK-1 or any other measurement mic. I went for the second option and couldn't be happier.

 

[augerpro]

I was hoping to use the balanced connections on the amp, and Amir's review kind of put me off the Denon. I'd really just like a high sound quality prepro with balanced outputs. Those don't seem very common anymore. Wish I'd never sold my old Rotel AVR.

 

[vsch]

I was hoping to use the balanced connections on the amp, and Amir's review kind of put me off the Denon. I'd really just like a high sound quality prepro with balanced outputs. Those don't seem very common anymore. Wish I'd never sold my old Rotel AVR.

I wouldn't worry too much. Even though a SINAD of 87 (x3800h) is not state of the art, it's probably not audible. FWIW, at least I cannot hear a difference between my x3800h and my miniDSP Flex, although I haven't compared them rigorously. YMMV.

 

[Mort]

There's nothing perfect. That's why I went with MiniDsp.

Don't read into the reviews too much. There are inconsistencies. Trust the general recommendations here.

If you insist on balanced, buy an x3800h for $1k and a buckeye nc252mp 6 channel balanced amplifier for $1.3k.

 

[augerpro]

My amps already have balanced inputs, so no need there. Just looking for a good frontend with the same.

 

[Mort]

You can go from unbalanced to balanced. The x3800h RCA to your XLR will work.

 

[Mort]

......ooooor you could join the MiniDsp dark side and go without an AVR

 

[augerpro]

Unbalanced to balanced adapter isn't really balanced anymore, correct? Another dumb question: the Flex HTx does have volume control on the remote? Just wanted to make sure the knob is volume and not presets like my 4x10HD.

 

[Mort]

Unbalanced to balanced adapter isn't really balanced anymore, correct? Another dumb question: the Flex HTx does have volume control on the remote? Just wanted to make sure the knob is volume and not presets like my 4x10HD.

Depends on what you wanted the balanced for. Balanced generally adds little.

Yeah the flex HTx has volume on the remote.
One problem with ordering MiniDsp right now is tariffs.

 

[augerpro]

I forgot about tariffs. I'll look into that. I found a used Arcam AV40 at a good price. Thoughts on this avr?

 

[augerpro]

So I tried to buy the MiniDSP and it adds 145% at checkout. Over $3.3k . I'm surprised they have zero presence in the US to stockpile these things instead of shipping every order from China. Well that blows up that idea.

 

[kyuu]

MiniDSP definitely has U.S. distributors. None of them seem to have the Flex HT however.

 

[ban25]

I forgot about tariffs. I'll look into that. I found a used Arcam AV40 at a good price. Thoughts on this avr?

AV40 is not a bad option. You may be stuck on a bit older version of Dirac (3.4.4) if using DLBC, but this is not a huge deal IMO.

 

[alex-z]

There is the 13 channel Tonewinner AT-300 for $1700 but the room correction software is mediocre and it only has HDMI 2.0 support.

Your other options under $2000 are a refurb Yamama CX-A5200 or Marantz AV7706. Neither are particularly appealing, as you get worse room correction options than a $1200 Denon X3800H. Additionally, ASR showed poor performance from the AV7705, and Audioholics showed mediocre performance from the CX-A5200.

TLDR, if your application doesn't 100% require balanced output just buy the X3800H.

 

[augerpro]

I may just wait out the tariffs even if takes a few months. If my Marantz totally dies before then I'll get whatever cheap used unit I can find.