[cjsailer]

Great thanks for all the info. If going the high end PC media route how does the sound card integrate when using an external DAC? Is a high end card needed or is that basically what the dac is for?  Any amp suggestions for each approach. Thanks in advance.

No you don't need a high end sound card. When connecting to an external DAC from a PC, you usually go over USB.  So when picking your DAC, pay close attention to how the USB interface is implemented. Some will eliminate any noise from the PC better than others.

I'm not really an expert on amps.  Just make sure to pick one that's balanced, with XLR inputs.  The Oticas are sensitive speakers so the amps do not have to have crazy power specifications.

[cjsailer]

Jay and I just made a NX Ottica center channel, we just need to get it packed and sent to Danny for the x-over design, should be available soonish??? I'll get him to post a picture.
 
Don

That's nice, I appreciate the work you and Jay do.

[Endo2112]

Thanks cjsailer, assuming that Danny has no issues designing the x-over, and i'm personally confident that he will not, they will indeed be available as a flat pack, we do need to tweek our program slightly, and sometimes Danny requests physical changes before release to create a better response but we're getting there.

Don

[corndog71]

Unbalanced amps are fine too.

[jkaldor]

For home theater I've seen the X-Statik and X-MTM being the most often recommended models for HT setups.

I went with the X MTM, XLS for surround (Overkill) and X CS per Danny’s suggestion.  absolutely amazing, love them!  I hear something new every time and can’t believe I thought my old B&W were great, they don’t compare!  I think I’m under driving with a Rotel amp and processor but you can’t go wrong if using primarily as HT.  2Ch with sub is great for music as well.   

[CAC3779]

Thanks for all the information everyone.  For anyone just starting out this thread https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=179254.0 along with this picture I pulled from it made things much easier to follow with just a simple visualization of how everything connects together.  It reminded me why I went the Denon route in the first place to just get some sound coming out of these things without getting stuck with incompatible electronic equipment.

With keeping diminishing returns in mind I was perusing the Schiit website, FYI its layout and information is also easy to digest and sourcing everything from one company is appealing to me, but I still struggle with differentiating similar products.  For example the Vigar vs. Aegir in mono mode.  Their FAQ section got me about 80% of the way there but in layman’s terms what difference could you actually expect?  Or in other words with only a $100 difference between them how would you know what pairs best with the Ottica (assuming that they are a good match)?  This would assume the Denon has been replaced with preamps/DAC also from this company or possibly the MP-D2 DAC since it has such favorable reviews.

I know this isn’t apples to apples comparison as I would have 4 subs, two in front and two behind the couch (HT only) plus center and rears but mapping everything out is very helpful.  To integrate a HT setup would the HT Processor sit where the Turn table/phono stage is in this example? 

[CAC3779]

I've read good things about Odyssey amps around here.  Stratos HT3 for $789 a good deal?  What specifically should you look/ask for if going the used route?