Going (mostly) wireless - so confused

[loungebob]

So, here's the thing. My 7.1 speaker set-up has to go. It's annoying to me and I dont want those cables and speakers anymore.

This will come in:

https://www.raumfeld.com/ch.html?ac...w_name=detail&vw_id=15631&delivery_country=71

or

https://www.naimaudio.com/mu-so

and/or

some decent active wireless stereo speakers (Denon, Raumfeld....)


Now that I got rid of all the othere stuff, I was looking at my Sony AV Receiver and thinking, do I still need THIS?
And I'm pretty sure, I dont, in this config. I still would like something to hook up my PS4 and Xbox and maybe other external devices but not that Sony monstrosity.

Since I dont need the 7.1 connectors on the back of the Sony AV Receiver/Amp anymore and basically only need lots of HDMI in and out and some optical outs, I was thinking, I need an AV receiver with just that.

But after hours of googling, I seem to be unable to find an AV Reciver/Amp that was none of those speaker connectors but just HDMI ports and Optical ports.

Am I looking for something that doesnt exist? Am I getting this all wrong and dont need an AV Receiver/Amp anymore? Do I need an HDMI Switch(er) instead?

I know the Sounddecks in the two above links have their own amplifier but I still wanted a separate Amp to connect my other devices to. The games on the PS4 just sounded a tad nicer when the sound went through my Sony Receiver and its DSP did its magic.

So, what now? No Receiver/Amp at all? A HDMI Switcher or everything just connected to the TVs HDMI ports and using the optical out on it to connect to a Receiver/Amp that has tons of speaker connectors on the back I dont need or want? Or something I havent thought of yet?

Any input appreciated.

 

[NutBucket]

Sounds like what you want is a pre-amp/surround processor.

 

[razel]

+1 above... Yup and pre-amp/surround processors tend to be NOT cheap. Your other options would be a slimline receiver. Yamaha and Marantz make them. Your other option is the miniDSP route, but that is an HT hobbyists, customization toy and can get expensive once it bites you.

 

[loungebob]

Oh my. Thanks for the feedback. I looked into pre-amp/surround processors and slimline receivers. Also, the miniDSP option Razel mentioned. I freak out when I see wires, so that's not for me

Both other options seem not right either. At least not when I google them and look at the units. They all have tons of RCA and speaker wires inputs/outputs. I dont need them.

The simplest way to explain what I think I need is, something like my old Sony AV Receiver without all the RCA/Cinch inputs/outputs, only with HDMI and optical in/outs. Does that not exist?

I'll be getting all content from NAS-es connected on a gigabit ethernet network. The Video part goes into Nvidia Shields and Intel NUCs. They output the content via HDMI and Optical Audio to....and that's where I thought a AV Receiver would come in handy.

The same with the Music/Audio only part, that goes from NAS to the Shields and NUCs and then also preferably to an AV receiver.

Also, I need to connect the Playstation and Xbox somewhere.

I've been told to connect it all to the TV and use the optical out of the TV to connect to the Sounddeck/Mu-so. That just doesnt feel right. Having the TV as a hub....

I cant be the only one going wireless and having no need anymore for all those analog connector on the back, not only taking up lots of space but also costing me money.

 

[NutBucket]

You're correct, you don't want the TV as the hub because it will downsample any multi-channel audio to stereo.

Here are two nice pre-amps:

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/us/Prod...x?CatId=hometheaterprocessors&ProductId=MX121
http://nadelectronics.com/products/masters-series/M17-AV-Surround-Sound-Preamp-Processor

 

[nsafreak]

Oh my. Thanks for the feedback. I looked into pre-amp/surround processors and slimline receivers. Also, the miniDSP option Razel mentioned. I freak out when I see wires, so that's not for me

Both other options seem not right either. At least not when I google them and look at the units. They all have tons of RCA and speaker wires inputs/outputs. I dont need them.

The simplest way to explain what I think I need is, something like my old Sony AV Receiver without all the RCA/Cinch inputs/outputs, only with HDMI and optical in/outs. Does that not exist?

I'll be getting all content from NAS-es connected on a gigabit ethernet network. The Video part goes into Nvidia Shields and Intel NUCs. They output the content via HDMI and Optical Audio to....and that's where I thought a AV Receiver would come in handy.

The same with the Music/Audio only part, that goes from NAS to the Shields and NUCs and then also preferably to an AV receiver.

Also, I need to connect the Playstation and Xbox somewhere.

I've been told to connect it all to the TV and use the optical out of the TV to connect to the Sounddeck/Mu-so. That just doesnt feel right. Having the TV as a hub....

I cant be the only one going wireless and having no need anymore for all those analog connector on the back, not only taking up lots of space but also costing me money.

Actually you are in the minority when it comes to going wireless as quite frankly you aren't going to get the same audio quality (if you're picky) as you would with wires. If you want to take the time you could go the miniDSP route and completely customize it to your liking but that's not going to end up being cheap. Then again a pre/pro unit like an Emotiva UMC-200 isn't exactly cheap either. Have you considered having a professional wire your system for you? I've seen some very good professional installs where they do all the wiring in wall and with the exception of short runs from the speakers (that they might be able to hide as well) and in the end it looks very tidy.

 

[NutBucket]

Agreed on that. It would probably end up being cheaper and sound better to just have someone install wiring in the walls for you.

 

[loungebob]

Heavens, almost had a heart attack lol --> MX121 exactly the opposite of what I want. I need lean and mean.

I do understand that I might sacrifice some audio quality (although I'm not that much of an audiophile) but I've heard some pretty impressive stuff coming out of wireless speakers (try the Teufel/Raumklang stuff)

It's a large loft and I really really hate cables. Even if wired properly, it makes it all very unflexible and immovable.

Anyway, I'll keep on looking into pre-amps but I guess what I want isnt around (yet).

 

[NutBucket]

How so? The preamps I linked are exactly what you want. HDMI switching and optical in and it has line-level outputs for each channel.

 

[nsafreak]

How so? The preamps I linked are exactly what you want. HDMI switching and optical in and it has line-level outputs for each channel.

True but it looks like he's trying to go with something that purely has HDMI ins and the one HDMI output to go to the system that sends the audio to the wireless speakers. That McIntosh is quite nice but I doubt he'll use the balanced outs on the unit much less many of its other features.

 

[Corn]

Correct me if i am wrong....but don't active speakers still have a wire that supplies electricity to the speaker? Seems to defeat the purpose.....

 

[NutBucket]

For some reason I can't open the links in the OP so I assumed he needs to decode the multi-channel audio to discrete channels in addition to source switching.

And good studio monitors are more than happy to accept balanced XLR

 

[nsafreak]

Correct me if i am wrong....but don't active speakers still have a wire that supplies electricity to the speaker? Seems to defeat the purpose.....

That would be correct, I don't think the op is going to get rid of his wire issue this way at all come to think of it. If anything the electrical wire used for supplying power is going to be even more unsightly.

 

[Corn]

That would be correct, I don't think the op is going to get rid of his wire issue this way at all come to think of it. If anything the electrical wire used for supplying power is going to be even more unsightly.

Yep. As someone suggested earlier in the thread, the best and likely cheapest solution is a pro install of the wiring. OP could always go the in wall speaker route if sound quality is not of the highest priority. There are some good sounding in wall speakers if installed correctly with proper insulation.

 

[loungebob]

True, I'm still waiting for wireless electricity.

The loft has power sockets built into the wooden floors every 1.5m. So I'm flex there to move stuff around. I could have someone run speaker wires to all the sockets so I'd be flex there too but a) over here we rent, it's not mine and I dont invest in it and b) there's already an ethernet port with every power socket. I dont see why I need any more cables.

With every install, every couple of years when I upgrade (or for you guys probably downgrade) I try to get rid of components and cables. To me, in 2015, we should be at a point where this all should work easily and effortlessly. I know, dreamer.

Anyway, looks like I'll still use a normal Receiver/Amplifier for now and just ignore all the analog output options on the back.

Thanks for all the input.

 

[razel]

Oh I'd love higher power wireless electricity. It actually was available more than 100 years ago when Tesla lit up the World's Fair wirelessly from across a bay. Still possible today, but apparently it's inefficient, but boy is it convenient. Also I can imagine them adding Internet to it since wireless comm is mostly just low power wireless electricity with a structure.

 

[gus6464]

So you are downsizing to 2.0? Because the Naim Muso is basically a pair of 3-way speakers.

If you want a true wireless system that will sound miles better than the ones you linked get a pair of Dynaudio XEO 6. It comes with a brain unit that connects to the speakers wirelessly and acts as a preamp/DAC. All you need to supply is a source.

http://www.dynaudio.com/home-audio/xeo/

 

[loungebob]

@gus6464 yeah I have them on my list and since this afternoon a couple of B&O and Dali Fazon F5. Damn, maybe I'll rethink this whole thing again.

 

[gus6464]

@gus6464 yeah I have them on my list and since this afternoon a couple of B&O and Dali Fazon F5. Damn, maybe I'll rethink this whole thing again.

All the other speakers on your list are lifestyle speakers. They are basically designed for looks first, sound second. The Dali don't even have their ribbon tweeter which is what makes a Dali a Dali.

The Dynaudio are basically a pair of Excite X34 with amps and wireless. They are designed for great sound first.