For casual listening this is my den setup.
Element P streaming Spotify/Qobuz via AirPlay/MA app to ELAC DBR ref whatevers. LP 9 feet from speakers. I sold an Anthem STR integrated and replaced with the Element P. I gave up sub outputs, ARC and some wattage in exchange for the built in streamer and form factor. Likely a dumb move but the STR integrated is a beast and did not fit in the cabinet and was a bit of an eyesore sitting on top. Because this is a casual setting I should leave it alone, sounds good but ELAC bass is a bit boomy without room correction. I will likely replace the ELACs with 226 bes to improve the bass and call it done. I could add a sub but doing that with an Element P is above my pay grade. So is room EQ wizard. I wonder if there are support groups for REW dropouts
This is the surround room and in fact my preferred listening spot. Likely due to the 228bes and Fathom 113v2s combined with ARC and an audiophile couch lol. the room is about 16 by 16 and the weird ceiling must be a big additional acoustic factor. Sounds good without ARC but much smoother and tighter with ARC. LP 10 feet from mains.
Inside the cabinet is an AVM60/MCA525 for the surrounds and an STR amp for the mains. Streaming via PlayFi built in to the AVM60. PlayFi used to really suck but now is satisfactory and gives me easy access to Qobuz and Spotify. I had tried improving things with an Element i and Roon but using Spotify with Roon is apparently not possible so it became a PITA and I went back to PlayFi. I tried making 2 channel listening better by adding an STR preamp in HT mode, using various streamers. I think there was better "clarity" but to be honest I doubt I could detect a difference in a blind comparison. Says a lot for the musicality of the AVM60 that a 4k preamp did not making a discernible improvement (at least to my ears). So I'm pretty much done with this room, I have no need for anything better than the 228bes and Fathoms. I tried every common sub brand and after tuning in these Fathoms IMO they are in another league altogether. They would be the last thing I'd sell if it came to that.
This is the bedroom setup. I splurged a bit to encourage my use of the exercise bike in the room, not sure it's going to work
There is an Element X streaming Spotify/Qobuz to an STR preamp, out to a pair of AHB2s/126bes. Subs are 12 inch Fathoms. LP 14 feet from mains. The balanced analog outputs from the Element X are going into the analog inputs of the STR. I have the option of digital manipulation in the STR or just running the signal through untouched to the amps. It's been a lot of fun listening to all the various combinations, with an without subs, with and without ARC. After a lot of hours (a few of them on the bike) I've settled on using the digital features of the STR (ARC/bass management) with the subs controlled separately but in mono. Single sub/mono is too pronounced and stereo mode is too subdued so in this setup two subs/mono is the Goldilocks setting. I have a feeling that using the Element X only as a streamer is like having ACB oversee traffic court but oh well.
I'd love to hear any and all thoughts for changes/improvements in the setups. @ThomasSavage no, i'm not going to move the mirror to the ceiling
