Stereo Set, which amp should I choose? Cambridge CXA81, Arcam A25+ or Cambridge EXA1000

[luisfelipe_lfo]

To avoid me going back through 10 pages, is this a surround sound setup via the Denon, or just stereo + sub, and you're using the Denon for amplification only?

For volume control I would normally say take a line out / RCA from the Wiim and put to your front left and right "Ext. In" on the Denon, and use the Wiim for volume control, that way you bypass any processing on the Denon and it's just amplifying a room corrected signal from the WiiM. If you have a TV you can also run that via hdmi to the WiiM, and then plug accessories like your Chromecast onto the TV hdmi inputs. However this isn't necessarily the best idea if you have surround speakers or for some reason you can't plug stuff into your TV, so what are you using it for?

It's just a stereo + sub setup! Yes, I'm using Denon for amplification only.

I took a line out/RCA from the WiiM and put to front left and right in DVD, not, "Ext. In", perhaps, that was my mistake.

I'm not using TV.

Thank you so much for the help.

 

[luisfelipe_lfo]

It's just a stereo + sub setup! Yes, I'm using Denon for amplification only.

I took a line out/RCA from the WiiM and put to front left and right in DVD, not, "Ext. In", perhaps, that was my mistake.

I'm not using TV.

Thank you so much for the help.

‘Sup guys.

I tried the Ext. In and the quality sound decreased a lot. So, I revert the previous setup

 

[Chrispy]

‘Sup guys.

I tried the Ext. In and the quality sound decreased a lot. So, I revert the previous setup

Ext in inputs on the Denon just bypass the processing (assuming you're not using direct modes). Quality decreased? Or perhaps just level?

 

[luisfelipe_lfo]

Ext in inputs on the Denon just bypass the processing (assuming you're not using direct modes). Quality decreased? Or perhaps just level?

Ext.In I put Pure Direct, so that Denon just amplifier the speakers. The quality decreased, yes! I had to put the sub level +10dB, the WiiM volume was 80 and Denon volume fixed in 0dB (reference).

Honestly, I don’t know what I did wrong

 

[Chrispy]

Ext.In I put Pure Direct, so that Denon just amplifier the speakers. The quality decreased, yes! I had to put the sub level +10dB, the WiiM volume was 80 and Denon volume fixed in 0dB (reference).

Honestly, I don’t know what I did wrong

Did you read the manual?

 

[luisfelipe_lfo]

Did you read the manual?

Which one? Denon or WiiM? Neither of them! To be honest I followed the step from ChatGPT

 

[Chrispy]

Which one? Denon or WiiM? Neither of them! To be honest I followed the step from ChatGPT

The Denon would have guidance on setup that I was referring to. I don't trust the AI for many audio questions, it scoops up to much audio bullshit and dispenses it.....

The ext in you used you had separate input for speakers/sub?

 

[luisfelipe_lfo]

The Denon would have guidance on setup that I was referring to. I don't trust the AI for many audio questions, it scoops up to much audio bullshit and dispenses it.....

The ext in you used you had separate input for speakers/sub?

Yes! But the sub is connected to WiiM (Sub Out). The RCA (Line Out) I connected to Denon (Ext.In FR/FL).

 

[Chrispy]

Yes! But the sub is connected to WiiM (Sub Out). The RCA (Line Out) I connected to Denon (Ext.In FR/FL).

Yet you got response from the sub from the Denon? You have the Denon setup to use a crossover for the sub even in ext.in/direct modes? I have a pdf of the 3808 manual....

 

[luisfelipe_lfo]

Yet you got response from the sub from the Denon? You have the Denon setup to use a crossover for the sub even in ext.in/direct modes? I have a pdf of the 3808 manual....

Yes, I got response from the sub from the Denon, BUT, so much low, I had to put +10dB.

Who manage the bass and crossover it’s the WiiM. So, I config the speakers as Large and Subwoofer OFF.

 

[Chrispy]

Yes, I got response from the sub from the Denon, BUT, so much low, I had to put +10dB.

Who manage the bass and crossover it’s the WiiM. So, I config the speakers as Large and Subwoofer OFF.

Why use the Wiim at all for bass management? It bypasses the Denon and I'm getting confused why you're not just using the Denon.

 

[luisfelipe_lfo]

Why use the Wiim at all for bass management? It bypasses the Denon and I'm getting confused why you're not just using the Denon.

The bass management from WiiM is way better and I can use the RoomFit! Using the Denon as bass management I lose the RoomFit (which is awesome and MUCH BETTER than Audyssey)

 

[Chrispy]

The bass management from WiiM is way better and I can use the RoomFit! Using the Denon as bass management I lose the RoomFit (which is awesome and MUCH BETTER than Audyssey)

But has limitations when you run it thru the Denon....is the sub still coming from the Wiim or from the Denon?

 

[davmol]

Pure direct shouldn't make any difference when using the ext in on the Denon because it's just amplifying the speakers. I take it that you are now using the WiiM remote and not the Denon remote? If the sub is very low set it back to zero on Wiim app and adjust using the sub's own volume control, the WiiM sub volume is best use to trim a few db either way. You might also want to run room fit again.

As far as I know, running pure direct on any input should have similar / same results as running ext in, so use whichever you prefer. Be cautious on ext in because it could well bypass the volume on the Denon altogether, which is intentional because you should use the Wiim volume control with that input.

Last note, we discussed the roomfit beta and one of the complaints was low sub volume, so if you are running in beta, maybe switch back to standard firmware.

 

[luisfelipe_lfo]

But has limitations when you run it thru the Denon....is the sub still coming from the Wiim or from the Denon?

From the WiiM

 

[luisfelipe_lfo]

Pure direct shouldn't make any difference when using the ext in on the Denon because it's just amplifying the speakers. I take it that you are now using the WiiM remote and not the Denon remote? If the sub is very low set it back to zero on Wiim app and adjust using the sub's own volume control, the WiiM sub volume is best use to trim a few db either way. You might also want to run room fit again.

As far as I know, running pure direct on any input should have similar / same results as running ext in, so use whichever you prefer. Be cautious on ext in because it could well bypass the volume on the Denon altogether, which is intentional because you should use the Wiim volume control with that input.

Last note, we discussed the roomfit beta and one of the complaints was low sub volume, so if you are running in beta, maybe switch back to standard firmware.

At first I was using the Denon control and fixed volume on WiiM. When I tried the Ext.In, I fixed volume on Denon 0dB (reference) and control the general volume on WiiM.

I liked the beta, to be honest. But I’ll try to set the sub level to zero on WiiM and adjust the sub’s own volume control.

 

[mglobe]

At first I was using the Denon control and fixed volume on WiiM. When I tried the Ext.In, I fixed volume on Denon 0dB (reference) and control the general volume on WiiM.

I liked the beta, to be honest. But I’ll try to set the sub level to zero on WiiM and adjust the sub’s own volume control.

I read through the Denon user manual, and it's clear to me that Ext In is the best way to feed the audio from the Wiim, and I'd use fixed volume on Denon and control volume with the Wiim. What is not clear to me is the impact on the sub output when you feed the sub signal through the Denon. It wouldn't surprise me if you have to make an adjustment to the sub to match the mains output. Once you've done that, then run Room Fit.

 

[luisfelipe_lfo]

I read through the Denon user manual, and it's clear to me that Ext In is the best way to feed the audio from the Wiim, and I'd use fixed volume on Denon and control volume with the Wiim. What is not clear to me is the impact on the sub output when you feed the sub signal through the Denon. It wouldn't surprise me if you have to make an adjustment to the sub to match the mains output. Once you've done that, then run Room Fit.

So, you are suggesting to connect the sub to Denon and not to Wiim?

 

[mglobe]

So, you are suggesting to connect the sub to Denon and not to Wiim?

Yes. That to me seems like an easier setup. Once it’s working you leave the Denon alone and control playback and volume with the WiiM.

 

[luisfelipe_lfo]

Yes. That to me seems like an easier setup. Once it’s working you leave the Denon alone and control playback and volume with the WiiM.

I know, but, the bass management from WiiM is way better than Denon. From WiiM I can adjust 1Hz at time, the Denon jump to 60Hz from 80Hz. The integration between sub/speakers it’s perfect between 73-75Hz. That’s the main reason I want the bass management from WiiM.