Home Audio Amplifier/Receiver - Schiiet vs Marantz vs Harman/Kardon

[AmsterDaniel]

Dearest Hi-Fi-ers,
 
This rookie has gotten himself tangled up in some figurative audio cables. Your help, input and advice is highly appreciated.
 
My original plan was to setup a neat Schiit Modi 2 Uber and Magni 2 Uber station for my headphone self. But ... during a visit to a local salvation army place I impulsively picked up an old Realistic Lab-270 turntable. My girlfriend would love to listen to some records through speakers and so the story has changed. Now I'm looking at an integrated amp sporting a phono stage and DAC so that I can hook up my headphones (either a BeyerDynamics DT 331 or Grado SR80e) and setup some speakers for communal listening.
 
The big question(s):
- Is a setup like this possible with Schiit products? If so, what would it look like?
- If not, I have the choice between the Marantz PM6005 integrated amp or a Harman/Kardon 3770 receiver.
 
Possible problem:
- I'd like to play FLAC files from my Windows laptop through USB. The Marantz only has digital coaxial and TosLink ins ... how to go about this? H/K has bluetooth connectivity.
 
Another small  question:
- There's a 'cat5' cable port on the H/K. Does that mean I can stream music from my laptop through the home network?
 
Argh. I'm getting overwhelmed with information, I'm not up to date on anything audio ... huge learning curve ahead of me. Thanks in advance! I'm looking forward to see what you guys and gals come up with.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Might also try posting receiver/stereo amplifier questions on the websites AVSforum & AVforum.

 

[cel4145]

See if you can get the Marantz PM6004, it has record out. So you should be able to hook the Magni 2 up to the record outs and "monitor" the source you want to listen to with it. Download the manual for it and see.

Then, you can connect the Modi to any of the RCA inputs other than the Phono to listen to your laptop and the Modi.

If you go this route, you could go for the regular Modi 2/Magni 2 as you wouldn't need the additional Uber features.

 

[cel4145]

If the PM6004 is not available, look at the Marantz PM5005. It has record out.

 

[AmsterDaniel]

That's right! I could just get the Schiit DAC to hookup to any of the RCA inputs. I thought, since phono is trully meant for phono alone, probably because there's a phono pre-amp behind the inputs, that the inputs laballed 'CD' would also function specifically for CD player signal input. But you're saying I could hookup an external DAC to it as well?

The only confusion that remains though is the record out. Because I can plug in the headphones to the front of the Marantz and the speakers connects to the speakers out? I feel like I'm missing something haha.

 

[cel4145]

Sure. You could use the headphone out on the receiver instead. I thought you wanted to use a separate headphone amp?

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmsterDaniel /img/forum/go_quote.gif

 

- Is a setup like this possible with Schiit products? If so, what would it look like?

 

You mean a Schiit product driving speakers? Only the Ragnarok, and it could be the Ragnarok of your good credit rating.

http://schiit.com/products/ragnarok

 

If you just mean using a Schiit amp that can drive a headphone better than either integrated amplifier, the nice thing about traditional size integrated amps is that they have many inputs and outputs, including a Rec Out. That can pass the signal that is sent  to the receiver, like from a DAC or CDP or TT. The problem however is that in surround receivers the Zone2 analogue output can't be used with digital inputs because Sony thinks you'll use their hardware to rip off Sony-BMG (yeah right like pirates can't just hook up the digital output to a CD burner). Clarify with Marantz and HK first if the stereo receivers have the same issue - remember if you buy these online even with good return policies the size and weight will mean expensive return shipping. If you're buying them locally, try it out with another speaker amp just to see if it will work that way.

 

Alternately, since you were able to get a TT from your local goodwill store, why not just get a Schiit Modi2 DAC (for the PC), Schiit Mani (if the TT needs an external phono preamp stage), Schiit Sys (to work as an input selector between the TT/Mani and the PC+Modi2 to the Magni), and Schiit Magni2Uber, then buy a speaker power amplifier at the salvation army store? Not just any speaker amp, get a pure power amp - you will recognize these by the distinct lack of knobs and switches out front and basically just one set of inputs and one (or two) sets of outputs. The Magni2Uber can output a preamplifier signal and will serve as the volume control.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmsterDaniel /img/forum/go_quote.gif

- If not, I have the choice between the Marantz PM6005 integrated amp or a Harman/Kardon 3770 receiver.

 

The Marantz is a safer bet when it comes to driving headphones, so you might not need to get a separate headphone amp. It will sound better, but for some headphones, either the improvements would be miniscule with a cheaper headphone amp, or they would be miniscule for the amount of money you'd spend.

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmsterDaniel /img/forum/go_quote.gif

 

- I'd like to play FLAC files from my Windows laptop through USB. The Marantz only has digital coaxial and TosLink ins ... how to go about this? H/K has bluetooth connectivity.

 

Get a USB to coaxial/optical converter. Some USB soundcards have this feature. The Xonar U3 has it for $39, but the difference between that and dedicated converters for your application is that the U3's output will have to be selected in its software interface, given its default is to send out an analogue signal to drive a headphone out of that socket. AFAIK the 3.5mm to toslink converter is included in the box (can't find my box right now but IIRC I saw one), so just get any optical cable and hook them up with that adapter.

 

Alternately, you can just use the alternatives I posted above.

  

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmsterDaniel /img/forum/go_quote.gif

There's a 'cat5' cable port on the H/K. Does that mean I can stream music from my laptop through the home network?

 

Yes, but check file format compatibility, as some receivers might not work with FLAC. You'll have to install the remote app on your tablet or smartphone, and store the music in a network drive, so you don't have to switch on any computers as long as the network-connected external drive is running. This is the most convenient option, but again double check if this digital input can work with the Rec Out as this might be another one of those Sony paranoias (note the hardware doesn't necessarily mean it was made by Sony, they're the "S" in SPDIF for one), and if it won't work that way then your choice in using an alternate headphone amp on the same system can be limited.

 

[AmsterDaniel]

Thanks ProtegeManiac and cel4545! Yes, it's just getting my head around the different components and the many ways you can hookup your system. That's great and I much appreciate the detailed explanation. I will think about the options and let you know what route I've gone!