[sarge_in]

Hello,

I am planning to upgrade to a better HT/music setup. Will be getting the Salk SongTowers & Song Center soon, and most probably the Salk Sub as well.  Have been thinking about getting matching AVA gear to go with it. Have exhanged a few very helpful emails w/ Frank, and wanted to get some more input here too.

1) While I am in no doubt of excellent quality of AVA components, I am unsure as to how easy they will be to use in a dual HT/music setup. E.g. If I get the Insight Pre-amp, what would I have to change every time I switch between HT and music (as they don't have HT bypass)?

2) The Vision DAC/Pre-amp combo looks very interesting too, but seems it only has one digital input? I would need at least 2 - an Airport Express and a (future) Oppo blu-ray player. Suggestions?

[Brett Buck]

2) The Vision DAC/Pre-amp combo looks very interesting too, but seems it only has one digital input? I would need at least 2 - an Airport Express and a (future) Oppo blu-ray player. Suggestions?

    I have an Inday switcher, with a CD player, Airport Express, and a Blu-ray player.

       Brett

[Will2]

If I'm not mistaken Frank makes some of his equipment with an effective HT bypass functionality.  I think he calls them the EC circuits.  They do come up for sale here every now and then for around $1,100-$1,200.

[vintagebob]

There are TWO different methods described here.  I use the one suggested by "moeaudio".  PM if you need details.

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=71366.0

[WGH]

The first problem I see is the Vision DAC does not decode surround sound so if you plan to use it for movies then you will not get a center channel or a discrete sub channel.

Do you plan to play CD's with the Oppo? If so then you will have to switch the Oppo's digital output to a different processor for movies.

Good link vintagebob 

Wayne

[ArthurDent]

Like Brett I've run a combo 2 ch/HT for a couple of years now. 1st with a T-8 using the Tape Inputs, subsequently with an Ultra EC which has an EPL (external processing loop). Frank can walk you thru the non-EPL setup. I run the front channels from an Outlaw 990 Pre-proc via optical to the Inday, same from my Denon CDP, then select the source that runs to the Insight+ DAC, and on to the Ultra Pre.

As moeaudio notes in the link, the AVR/Pre-Proc handles the surround, & D-A coversion for the center, surrounds, & sub. I use an Omega 240/3 to power the center & surrounds. What you will need to do with the separate pre is select the chosen inputs used for the HT front channels, Tape or whatever, and select the source channel on the Inday (it has 4 inputs, optical or co-ax) . The Inday has a remote so that's easy, you will need to make the Pre selection manually.

Frank has a diagram in one of the old Audio Basics, if I run across it I'll drop a link. It's worth the minimal time investment for the quality in the 2 channel listening. Hope this helps some.

[sarge_in]

Thanks everyone!

Vintagebob - That was a good link.. moeaudio's way will not work for me though, as my Onkyo 707 receiver does not have a digital out. Even the next level 807 doesn't have it either..

Based on all the suggestions here, I came up with the proposed picture below.  Let me know what you guys think of it, and any other ways for the same.

Also, does the Vision preamp/DAC combo have the EPL connections?

[avahifi]

Your diagram works fine, except come out of the cable or dish box left and right analog audio into the Vision DAC/Preamp too for best music quality on all non surround sound TV programming.

Best regards,

Frank Van Alstine

[sarge_in]

Thanks Frank!  Does the combo unit have EPL connections?  Or even better, is there a pic available of the rear connections of the unit?