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

 

[Roro]

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

I haven't tried that, mainly because I'm managing all video connections through the AVR and technically the yamaha is expected to upsample the video signal. Tbh, both the xbox and the STB already stream video in 4k. Will have to check if I have adequate HDMI ports on the TV though as it's a 2016 model. Let me check if that works to eliminate the AVR. Although, if I did do that, would the TV then faithfully pass the audio signal to be processed by the Audiolab ? Sorry if I'm being naive!

 

[Roro]

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.

Which active speakers @Kannan? I have been toying with the idea. Please do let me know your experience and set up.

 

[Roro]

@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

Thanks! I have an older tele - 2016 X55 LeTV which is no out of production. Not sure it has the HDMI ports to support 4k but will check. That would indeed eliminate the AVR. I do like the idea of trying out the Arcam/Anthem set up. The Yamaha does not do justice to my Motion 60XT towers, and the ribbon tweeters need a system that isn't too bright at the top end. Which receivers have your tried/ would you recommend @Chandan?

 

[chander]

I would personally recommend - going for a better TV, the latest with all the bells and whistles. When you buy an AVR you are paying for a lot you do not need, considering you only run a stereo.

A better TV will handle all your upscaling business. Also you can utilize the AL7000a in this setup as in my experience they sound very neutral. I ran my Al6000 with 2 different types of ribbon type tweeters and I never had any complaints at all.

In terms of AVR I would suggest you go and try out the Arcam or Anthem - they are both great.

 

[mbhangui]

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!

From what I understand, you absolutely need the following 7 items in the chain

1. The TV because you watch the content on TV (movies, OTT, xbox, etc)
2. Set-top box for watching OTT channels. Here you can eliminate the set-top box by using Firestick, google tv, etc. It will eliminate the set-top box by using a much smaller device.
3. Turntable for listening to LP records. Here you have already eliminated one more box in the chain (phono preamp) by connecting the output directly to phono input of the AVR.
4. Audiolab 7000A for sending output to the speakers
5. Eversolo Streamer for sending audio output. Here you can eliminate the Fosi preamp by connecting your eversolo Single-Ended output to Audio1 or Audio2 input on the AVR. All Yamaha AVRs have these analog only inputs on the back and one on the front. This will allow you to use the AVR remote to control the volume.
6. The AVR as the central routing device for audio and video. Since you are using HDMI CEC, the TV remote itself would be able to control the AVR volume. This is how I'm using my TV and AVR, where the TV remote controls the firestick, avr, playstation, etc volume and also switch channels on the firestick, etc. I don't have to use the firestick remote. Using HDMI arc you should be able to eliminate using the set-top box remote. If the eversolo streamer also supports HDMI CEC, then the tv remote should be able to change songs, play, pause, etc. The tv remote also controls the playstation. I believe it should be working with your xbox too. My TV is panasonic and it has this button called 'Viera Link' which uses HDMI CEC to sync the device controls. Even my raspberry Pi can switch on the TV and route audio through the tv. I can also use the tv remote for input switching.
7. The Martin Logan 60XT speakers

So the only thing you can simplify is removing the Fosi Preamp by connecting your Eversolo streamer output directly to the AVR audio1 or audio2 inputs. The other simplication you can do is to use HDMI CEC and use one remote to rule them all.

HDMI-CEC is a feature of the HDMI standard that lets connected devices control each other, allowing you to use a single remote to control multiple devices, like a TV, soundbar, and Blu-ray player. It simplifies device interaction by enabling features like One Touch Play (which turns on the TV and switches the input when you power on a media player) and allowing a single device to turn off others in a chain. Each manufacturer uses its own branding for the feature, such as Samsung's Anynet+, Panasonic's Viera Link or LG's SimpLink.

How it works

• One Touch Play: When you press play on a media player, it can turn on the TV and automatically switch the TV's input to that device. This is exactly how I'm using my setup. The playstation, firestick, raspberry PI automatically switches the TV to the particular HDMI input and also the correct AVR input.
• Power synchronization: When the TV is turned off, HDMI-CEC can also turn off connected devices. Conversely, turning on a device like a game console can power on the TV.
• Remote control passthrough: A TV remote can control basic functions of a connected device, like a game console or soundbar.
• Input switching: If you switch to a different HDMI device on your TV, the TV's input will change automatically.

Important considerations

• Enable it on both devices: For HDMI-CEC to function, it must be enabled in the settings of both the TV and the connected device. Look for settings like "HDMI CEC," "Anynet+,", Viera Link or "SimpLink".
• Manufacturer differences: The implementation of HDMI-CEC can vary between brands, so compatibility and feature support may not always be perfect across different manufacturers.
• Power requirements: A streaming stick must be powered by its wall outlet for CEC to work properly, not the TV's USB port.