My AV setup - current & proposed

[pannags]

Hello,

Here are pictures of my current and proposed HiFi setups.

I have a few questions on the proposed changes and would really appreciate your feedback.

As it is today:



In a few days:



Here are a few questions:

1. I had deliberately patched the HDMI signal from the DTH STB directly to the TV. Just over a year ago, I had to spend 13k for a new HDMI board for my AVR when a suspected HDMI spike from the DTH line broke the boards on all connected devices - the STB, TV and AVR. Is it really unsafe to route the HDMI signal from the DTH STB through the AVR?

2. I do not plan to add any more speakers to my setup anytime soon. Therefore, is it better to switch to a Stereo/Integrated Amplifier for better sounding music and movies (not looking for surround effects, only good vocals and music)?

3. I'm planning to use the RCA analog out from the BDP-180 for music-only purposes and the HDMI connection for video (proposed setup). In case I replace my AVR with an Integrated/Stereo Amp, I plan to direct all HDMI connections to the TV and use the optical out from the TV to the Amplifier for movies. Will the output be comparable to the setup in the second picture?

Regards,
Pannags

 

[raghupb]

The DAC in AVR maybe better. Try digital connection opt/coax between bdp and avr and check sound

 

[pannags]

The DAC in AVR maybe better. Try digital connection opt/coax between bdp and avr and check sound

Do you mean for listening to music, it would be a better option to use a digital connection rather than RCA?

 

[Srinath_seshadri]

The Onkyo *05, *06 and I thought it ended with *07 but maybe it crossed over to the *08's have been known to die because of what was called the DTS bomb. There are supposed to be some scenes in some movies that caused it. Look on avsforum.com, there is a 1000 page running thread about an 805 and how to fix it. 806 thread was also huge. I have a semi dead 805 (dts bomb) that the "fix" does not work on, and I have an 807 that has something that light on fire in it that I cant even imagine how it happened. My thought was that some idiot went in there with a careless screwdriver while it was powered up ?
Cool.
Srinath.

 

[raghupb]

Better I don't know. It will be different. Hear and decide.
Cheers,
Raghu