Building my Dream System - need advice

[crwilli]

You want a reference aystem.
Start with your room and do whatever you can to modify/prepare it for the gear. Determine the best locations for your speakers and listening positions. Plan your acoustic treatments and your power supply / conditioning.

Then consider deeply how you will use the room. Mostly TV with the occasional 2 channel only music or blended or mostly music. What are your priorities?

Then set a budget that you define reasonable. Sure, the C1100 ($10,000) is a great PreAmp. It is capable of delivering the highest quality of sound along with a MC452 - that can drive almost any speaker. Is a $10,000 PreAmp that you use occasionally reasonable? Up to you.

Don’t forget cables.

[stark]

I don't have McIntosh gear yet (jumping in for a separate 2 channel system) but I do have a complete B&W theater. Consider what ^crwilli asks in that how will you use the room most?

I tried a lot of systems/room setups and came to the conclusion that for me 2 channel + home theater don't work, one or the other will always be compromised. If you are leaning more towards HT + InWall speakers then I highly suggest you look at the MX160 processor instead of the MX122. If budget becomes an issue you can always add Mac amps later on and go with something else for the time being.

[TOBZDV]

Interesting.. Do others feel the same way, that I will be comprised one way or another? I will spend more time watching movies than listening to music but I can't say I love one over the other..

[TOBZDV]

I can actually score the MX160 for not that much more but I didn't like losing the Bluetooth option to play music

[W9TR]

I moved from a dedicated 2 channel system and a separate dedicated home theater in an acoustically treated room to a single combined system.

In my case it was a significant improvement for both.

Why? Probably because in the process I was able to upgrade the speakers I use for ht.

I agree with stark that there are compromises when you combine both.

But you still can create an awesome combined system.

In my case because of the configuration of my room I lost a little performance in the surrounds.

https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=41388

[stark]

Originally Posted by TOBZDV

I can actually score the MX160 for not that much more but I didn't like losing the Bluetooth option to play music

You can always get something outboard for bluetooth such as a Bluesound Node 2. In HT application you want a more absorbent environment because you're using multiple channels of audio and want to hear everything clearly, the less diffuse the sound the better so you can pinpoint effects/panning. The MX160 will help in this regard and as an added benefit can scale music up to use all your channels. My preference is upmixing music is to use Auro and this truly takes music to another level when you are going to play it back via multiple channels.

You also get to use the Room Perfect correction system inside MX160 and this will go a long way in giving you better sound if you can't build a dedicated space with lots of room treatment.

B&W in-wall's will work well but if you want a more dynamic presentation to your music you should also listen to the products offered by James Loudspeaker.

I was a HT/movie only person for years and had all pro speakers (JBL in a black velvet room) but I found that nobody wanted to be in there - it was like going to a cinema. I then switched over to a brighter environment and went with a B&W system. Slowly I found myself listening to more and more music (thanks to Auro via a Datasat Rs20i processor) and am setting up a separate 2 channel system for this. Both have their strengths and it really depends on what you value. I have friends that run 2.1 channel for music and movies too because that's what they prefer.

W9TR You have an amazing system, Amati Futura is what I was going to go with as well but no local dealer and no in-ceiling at that time to help me setup Atmos/DTS:X. Regardless I bet it sounds sublime

[TOBZDV]

Very helpful, guys. I'm now leaning towards upgrading to the MX160 plus adding a C1100. Just purchased a pair of Focal Utopia headphones from another member on this site.. what a great resource you guys are!

[damacman]

I also have a single space for HT and 2-channel, the equipment in my sig being my 2-ch system. My HT system adds an Integra DHC-80.6/DTA70.1, Oppo BD-103, Cisco DVR, and NAD 218THX (powers my custom sub). HT is 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos. Display is a 75" 4K Sony with HDR and a fully active array.

I utilize the PASS THRU feature of the C200 to integrate the 2-ch and HT systems seamlessly. Also, for sources with multiple outputs, I have them connected to both preamps, allowing use with either. All power amps are set up to power on automatically based on which system is in use - one button power up for either system. While the system setup was somewhat complex, the resulting operation is as family friendly as one could desire.

Personally, it's the best 2-ch and best HT I've had and I've been doing both since 1992.

[TOBZDV]

hey guys, stupid question but how do I upload a profile picture on here? I am now searching for a C1100 and a Mx160 based on your feedback..

[TOBZDV]

figured it out..