Looking for ideas to simplify my set up

[Roro]

Hey everyone,
Looking for some advice on simplifying my audio setup. I currently run Martin Logan Motion 60XT towers, connected to an Audiolab 7000A paired with a Yamaha RX-V685 for video sources through a preamp put. Sources include a TV (via HDMI ARC), Eversolo streamer, Xbox, Project Debut Carbon turntable, and set-top box. The sound is great, but the number of components and signal chains has become unwieldy.

Source Chain - TV (HDMI ARC) to Yamaha RX-V685, Set-top box and xbox direct HDMI to Yamaha RX-V685, turntable (Project Debut Carbon) to Phono input on Yamaha RX-V685, and Yamaha RX-V685 pre-out to Audiolab 7000A power amp input to drive speakers.

For music, Eversolo Streamer RCA out to Fosi, preamp RCA out to Audiolab AUX 1. Fosi preamp is used for volume shaping or tone adjustment between Eversolo and Audiolab when active.

I’m now exploring options for a single integrated solution that sounds great for music as that is priority, but can connect to my other AV sources too without having too many chains. Would love to hear what other enthusiasts have done to simplify while maintaining high-end stereo performance. Is there a true one-box solution that can do my 60XTs justice? Thanks in advance!

 

[jai1611]

Have you tried connecting your HDMI ARC output directly to the Audiolab? If that works well, you could try to route the XBOX sound through the TV ARC output as well. If this works, it would shorten the first chain. The turntable can also go to the phono input on the Audiolab

The second chain can also be simplified by connecting the Eversolo to the Audiolab directly

 

[Passive_audio_enthusiast]

Hey everyone,
Looking for some advice on simplifying my audio setup. I currently run Martin Logan Motion 60XT towers, connected to an Audiolab 7000A paired with a Yamaha RX-V685 for video sources through a preamp put. Sources include a TV (via HDMI ARC), Eversolo streamer, Xbox, Project Debut Carbon turntable, and set-top box. The sound is great, but the number of components and signal chains has become unwieldy.

Source Chain - TV (HDMI ARC) to Yamaha RX-V685, Set-top box and xbox direct HDMI to Yamaha RX-V685, turntable (Project Debut Carbon) to Phono input on Yamaha RX-V685, and Yamaha RX-V685 pre-out to Audiolab 7000A power amp input to drive speakers.

For music, Eversolo Streamer RCA out to Fosi, preamp RCA out to Audiolab AUX 1. Fosi preamp is used for volume shaping or tone adjustment between Eversolo and Audiolab when active.

I’m now exploring options for a single integrated solution that sounds great for music as that is priority, but can connect to my other AV sources too without having too many chains. Would love to hear what other enthusiasts have done to simplify while maintaining high-end stereo performance. Is there a true one-box solution that can do my 60XTs justice? Thanks in advance!

The Coda W is a new active loudspeaker from KEF | Darko.Audio

Hard-wired and Bluetooth connections only: BYO network streamer.

darko.audio

 

[Kannan]

Hey everyone,
Looking for some advice on simplifying my audio setup. I currently run Martin Logan Motion 60XT towers, connected to an Audiolab 7000A paired with a Yamaha RX-V685 for video sources through a preamp put. Sources include a TV (via HDMI ARC), Eversolo streamer, Xbox, Project Debut Carbon turntable, and set-top box. The sound is great, but the number of components and signal chains has become unwieldy.

Source Chain - TV (HDMI ARC) to Yamaha RX-V685, Set-top box and xbox direct HDMI to Yamaha RX-V685, turntable (Project Debut Carbon) to Phono input on Yamaha RX-V685, and Yamaha RX-V685 pre-out to Audiolab 7000A power amp input to drive speakers.

For music, Eversolo Streamer RCA out to Fosi, preamp RCA out to Audiolab AUX 1. Fosi preamp is used for volume shaping or tone adjustment between Eversolo and Audiolab when active.

I’m now exploring options for a single integrated solution that sounds great for music as that is priority, but can connect to my other AV sources too without having too many chains. Would love to hear what other enthusiasts have done to simplify while maintaining high-end stereo performance. Is there a true one-box solution that can do my 60XTs justice? Thanks in advance!

I switched to wireless active speakers few years back and have stayed put. Though my current active speakers do have an inbuilt DAC, I still use an external DAC to enable a few more sources. You can research this path as a number of good brands are now offering this all-in-one solution at various price bands.

 

[Yogesh]

WIthin currently available components, what @jai1611 suggested is very good, it can't get any simpler.

We are opening Pandora's Box if you are open to replacing components. A streaming amplifier will be a much simpler solution. XBOX to TV, TV (ARC and/or Optical) + TT (Phono In) to Streaming Amp. Streaming Amplifier are available in wide vsirety. You can choose as per budget & Sound signature.

 

[chander]

@Roro I tried to read your chain a couple of times but couldn't wrap my head around it.

To summarise - you have a bunch of stuff and you would need a single device to run all your gear instead of your current AVR + stereo amp situation?

Considering you are only using a stereo setup -

Scenario 1 - not sure what TV you have, but I assume you have atleast a couple of 4K Inputs on your TV? For ex - my Sony has a dedicated 4K 120 (I think) for PS5 & a couple of other 4K ports. Lets say your TV has something similar -

1 - I would connect both the Xbox & the SetTop Box to the TV
2 - Connect the Eversolo & the turntable directly to the Audiolab 7000A.

This should eliminate your AVR from the chain without needing any new gear.

Scenario 2 - you can have a look at the Arcam & Anthem receivers. That should help you get rid of both the Audiolab & the receiver (though I think ALs are a class of their own as far as great sound is concerned). I have heard both and I think they are both great SQ first kind of systems. Anthem is amazing.

Scenario 3 - If you want an AIO kind of system that leaves you with only the Xbox & the turntable - get yourself a Stereo Receiver. That should cover your HDMI input needs + a phono preamp + a streamer. I do not know much about these a friend recently bought a Marantz 40n & it sounded like Marantz Do, but with all the bells & whistles of latest tech. A simple neat setup if you do not have a surround sound system.
Thanks!
Chander