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MacBook Pro source: Onkyo TX-NR609 receiver w/no ext. DAC or Onkyo A-9555 Integrated Amp w/HRT...

post #1 of 4
5/6/11 at 8:10am
Thread Starter 

I have a MacBook Pro with many lossless files and some MP3's.  Can output either digital optical or via USB to external components for audio enchancement (instead of having to use internal Dac in the Mac).  Two potential setups are:

 

1) MacBook Pro>HRT Music Streamer II via USB>Onkyo A-9555 Integrated Amp>PSB Image B6 speakers.

 

2) MacBook Pro>Onkyo TX-NR-609 A/V receiver>PSB Image B6 speakers.

 

Lets look at both solutions.  Oh, will also be running Blu-ray player and cable box into both solutions.

 

Solution#1

 

Well, supposedly here we have audio-wise, best solution.  Best Dac in the HRT, better amp with the A-9555.  Slightly higher cost.  Audio is sent from MacBook Pro via USB not digital optical as in Solution 2 though.  With this solution lose other enhancements in the Onkyo receiver like HDMI in/outs.

 

Solution#2

 

Here we use the Burr-Brown Dacs in the Onkyo TX-NR609 receiver, not the HRT this time.  Also we do optical digital out from the Mac, not USB.  Looking at audio side, amp section is as powerful, but the amp has something called Pure Direct mode (and possibly better internal components) that we lose in this combination.  One question I guess is the HRT Dac processing better than what the Burr-Browns can do in the receiver?

 

As my primary goal is audio not video, I am leaning to the first solution with the amp.  Initially will need to run analog out from the Mac into the A-9555 until I can buy/hookup the HRT Dac.  I can still run the video from my blu-ray & cable box to my tv, and just run their audio into the A-9555.

 

I like that the receiver has Internet radio tuner, but so does my Mac where I can tune in a station on the Mac, and run the output via the HRT.  The receiver also is supposed to have MP3 enhancement circuits, but the HRT should do that in solution 1 also.

 

Given similar money, which would you choose?

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post #2 of 4
5/7/11 at 5:01am

I'm interested in what Pure Direct actually does to sound quality.  I don't seem to notice a difference with it on or off.

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post #3 of 4
5/8/11 at 8:40am

  Typically,  Pure/Pure direct modes are used to disable features such as DSP, EQ, sub integration ( i.e. crossovers), and I believe level matching of speakers. When running stereo speakers full range you may notice a slight difference (depending on what is enabled by default on your AVR) but speaker/room interactions are far more noticeable.  

  If I were you I would look at competing options from other companies or look one model up on the Onkyo line.  The reason for this is that you can get the more advanced mid-level Audyssey MultEQ instead of 2EQ.  These are designed to help deal with some of the speaker/room interactions mentioned earlier.  I use it along with traditional acoustic treatment in my setups (both are 2.1) and like the results.  

  I know that Denon has been putting it in there non-flagship models for a while.  I find that sub integration is much easier when going the AVR route.  You can always add a sub later and when configured properly will add a benefit to movies, tv and music.  More often than not you will also notice an improvement in your speakers since they will no longer be tasked to reproduce the lower frequency content.  If you have no plans to add a sub or want to keep the system minimal then the integrated is a solid choice as well.  However it will limit your room EQ and speaker expansion options. 

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post #4 of 4
5/9/11 at 7:32pm

If you require a crossover of 200 Hz, should you have pure-direct disabled then?

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