[b19bst]

Hi peeps .

My name is dean annd live in the uk  and I have loved my music now for many years and have an av setup more than anything but obviously play music through it too.

My set  up as follows.


Samsung q9f65 tv
Denon 6400 av amp
Focal 836v floorstanders
Focal 800 centre
B&w m-1 surround backs x4
B&w pv1 sub x2
Qed silver anniversary speaker cable for all the surrounds
Rocket 22 for 836v and centre.

That’s the basic run down. I have had the main set up for 10 years or so apart from the tv and amp which I have been upgrading as years go on.

Music does sound pretty good but obviously can be a lot better .

This is where you guys with your knowledge come into play.

I want to power amp the 836v’s and have been looking at the Cambridge audio dac ….
Is it just that simple to do or do I have to run a completely separate system for music to av ???

I get so confused by it all if I am honest so if someone could explain to me in simple terms how it all works etc… lol .

[Phil A]

Welcome to AC!  I assume this is your Denon?  https://www.crutchfield.com/S-SPsiutCvM7w/p_033AVX6400/Denon-AVR-X6400H-IN-Command.html#&gid=1&pid=2    It has preamp outputs (e.g. for the left and right channel) for those looking to power speakers other than with the internal amplification contained in the receiver.  A DAC is not a power amp.  However, that being said, the DACs in a receiver are typically piggybacked off the DSP vs. a dedicated 2-channel DAC where you would hook your favorite source to (e.g. media server, CD transport) and then hook the DAC to an input on the receiver (and thus bypassing the DAC in the receiver).  You may wish to check the Denon manual as it may have a mode called 'Source Direct' or something similar (and the manual will explain it in more detail).

My main system is an integrated AV system but I use a 2-channel preamp with HT Bypass.  This involves using the left and right preamp channel output of the receiver and putting it into the HT Bypass input of the 2-channel preamp.  The 2-channel preamp then has its channels output to separate 2-channel amp which power the main speakers.  When one watches a movie, the receiver's volume control is used.  When one listens to music, another input of the 2-channel preamp is used for your 2-channel source (e.g. media server, CD player) which is plugged into the 2-channel preamp.

Below is a pic of my main system (and components are listed on my systems pages)

[b19bst]

 Very nice …

I usually listen to music by pure direct which is basically how the recording comes from its source.

I am looking at the peachtree 400 power amp as has a ht pass through also . So that being said if I linked another dac rather than use the Denon as a dac would it be better . I would love to play 32 bit quality music files.

[FullRangeMan]

Welcome to AC 
Your system has many equipments, I would suggest that you keep this equipment and listen to your albums on this system to avoid further expenditure.

But if one day you will going buy a new system, I would advise hi sensitivity speakers as Klipsch RF7 new or used and a small integrated tube amp as EL34/KT88 6Watts, as always IMO.

[Phil A]

Very nice …   and

I usually listen to music by pure direct which is basically how the recording comes from its source.

I am looking at the peachtree 400 power amp as has a ht pass through also . So that being said if I linked another dac rather than use the Denon as a dac would it be better . I would love to play 32 bit quality music files.

Is this the amp you're talking about?  https://www.peachtreeaudio.com/products/gan400?variant=40402850087062    If so, I'm not sure what you mean by it having HT Bypass?  It is just a power amp which would power the left and right channels from the preamp outs of the Denon receiver.  HT Bypass is this  -   https://diyhometronics.com/home-theater-bypass/   and would be a feature which is in a preamp or a integrated amp (and I believe Benchmark may have made or makes a DAC with the feature - remember looking at it some time ago).

They (Peachtree) have lowered the price of some of their amps.  I believe the company that made the boards (for at least some of their amps) was Elegant Audio Systems.  I understood (but could be wrong) that that company changed hands not that long ago.  They may change the way they do business or sell.  So I'm not sure about the long term availability of some of the current products.

Also note, DACs come in all sizes and all types of quality.  In addition, I'm not sure of the source you would be using (music files - e.g. FLAC or WAV?).  One would have to connect that source to the DAC (unless of course it was an integrated DAC/Streamer unit).  That source would need to be connected to the DAC via cables.  The quality of those also would have an impact.  Where do you intend to get 32 bit files or what source will you use to get 32 bit music?

[ArthurDent]

Cheers & Welcome to AC Dean   

[b19bst]

I think I am going to invest in the peachtree combo of the predac and the gan400. Reviews are pretty good and a price for the combo at £2500 I can’t say no . Lol