Best receiver signal for my setup

obrano

Hi there,

I'm looking at getting a stereo receiver (Onkyo 9010 or 9050) for my floorstanding speakers. I want to use my phone of computer for inputs - I only have jacks on the phone and computer. (Recommendations on receiver very welcome).

I want to have the best/most unadulterated input signal to the receiver to ensure best quality sound. I am aware that the jack outputs on my phone will transmit a digital signal and hence I won't avail of the receiver internal DAC.

What is the best solution?

I have been looking at an airplay/DNLA device with an optical output and also a bluetooth receiver. I am pretty certain the airplay/DNLA device might be best as there will be no signal manipulation at all. Or would a DAC be recommended?

Could someone confirm this or offer some much appreciated guidance.

Thanks in advance.

Oisin

mossym

obrano wrote: »

I am aware that the jack outputs on my phone will transmit a digital signal and hence I won't avail of the receiver internal DAC.

what jack outputs are on your phone that are going to transmit a digital signal?

you have that backwards, if you transit digitally you have to use the DAC in the receiver, so i presume you mean you are aware the jack outputs transmit an analog signal so you won't need the DAC, which is true, but probably means you are not aware

you don't want a DAC in this setup. to be fair, the 9010 is a budget amp so no point blowing big money on a transport given the amp won't take advantage.

if you have an android phone get a chromecast audio, and go optically from the chromecast into the amp and transmit to that from the phone/pc

if you have iphone, get an airplay device and do the same

obrano

Thanks a million for responding.

Of course you're right!! I got it backwards I meant it the other way around. The phone outputs analog and has it's own DAC.

I have a lovely set of speakers (Klipsch RP-260F). I want to get the most out of them. Hooking my phone to the receiver through the jack doesn't sound like a logical option. After posting, I found a DNLA wireless player with optical out. Would you think this setup would be a good way of streaming and allow the receiver to do it's on DAC.

I know the 260s are efficient speakers but they have a power rating of 125W. I know power ratings can be a bit inflated etc but I am worried about underpowering and damaging speakers. As you can tell, I don't know a huge amount. Do you think the Onkyo A9010 or A9050 would suffice? I know that even a couple of watts through these speakers will likely deafen me!!

I have an Onkyo 717 receiver, which would be fine for these speakers, but it is hooked up to a 5.1 setup and is also out of action

I want to use the new speakers in a stereo setup in a separate part of the house with a dedicated receiver. What are your thoughts? I am leaning towards to 9050.

Thanks again for your time and response.

mossym

i presume you want to control the playback from the phone or computer, in which case i wouldn't go DLNA, i'd go bluetooth or the chromecast/airplay method listed above. if you want high end, something like the arcam rblink, but there are lower price options.

the manual for those speakers lists them asa 8ohm compatible, so there should be no issues driving them with the amp, still though if it were me i'd go to the 9050.

obrano

That's right. I want to control from my phone or computer. I checked out that Bluetooth device. It looks brilliant. It has its own DAC? Am I correct?

I was looking at a KitSound Link Multiroom device. It has an optical out. This would allow the receiver to carry out the DAC. Am I correct?

I really appreciate your help. Would you have any recommendations on stereo receivers? Would the onkyo 9050 be a good bet?

Thanks a million.

mossym

the arcam has a built in dac.

the kitsound device looks good for what it does, but its limited to audio formats. a bluetooth device would let you cast whatever audio is playing on your pc, including audio from video. i think that would be better

for stereo amps, never been a big onkyo fan, not to say there is anything wrong with them . honestly i wouldn't be adverse to trying to pick up an old arcam or rotel stereo amp, some of the older ones are absolute beasts.

if you want to go new, i have a soft spot for marantz, processor in my system is a marantz feeding rotel power amps.

obrano

Great info.

I never thought that about the fact I could only play music on the WiFi device. Would the DAC on the Bluetooth device be as good as the receiver in built one or does it really matter?

I like the look of the Bluetooth. Nest and tidy!

I'll check out some older receivers on eBay. I might be able to get more bang for my buck.

Thanks again.

obrano

Great info.

I never thought that about the fact I could only play music on the WiFi device. Would the DAC on the Bluetooth device be as good as the receiver in built one or does it really matter?

I like the look of the Bluetooth. Nest and tidy!

I'll check out some older receivers on eBay. I might be able to get more bang for my buck.

Thanks again.