Advice for using ARC for both 2 channel and home theater

[Mr. Big]

I'm a Mac user and have just downloaded JRiver beta for Mac. It'll still be a few months before it's stable enough for everyday use, but it's only $34.98 now and shows lots of promise. And I do like JRemote much better than the iTunes remote.

[JoelG]

Maybe the Aurender S10 and the Berkeley Audio DAC Series 2 for the digital source and the McIntosh MX150/151 for the processor and the Control 4 HC-800. Undecided.

[JoelG]

Well.... was thinking of buying the McIntosh MX151 with the ARC 2 channel setup (REF 10 and REF 250s) to replace my Marantz SR8002 so that in addition to the 2 channel audio setup, I would also have a nice setup for TV/DVD. I was given the impression that the MX151 was like a receiver, but I now know it is a processor that does not provide amps for the center and surrounds. And so, now not sure what amps would go well with the ARC or if I should just instead try to identify a receiver that has the amps built in. Hmm.

[JoelG]

Maybe more ARC amps and/or the ARC REF DAC with the Aurender and the Marantz AV8801. Sigh.

[sacdfan]

Originally Posted by JoelG

I am a Mac user, and would like to avoid a Windows based setup (including Bootcamp) if at all possible. Anything but Windows!!! LOL

I'm on the same boat. I'm a *nix guy and I do anything to avoid Windoze
Mac Windoze

[JoelG]

Well.. although I have not purchased all components of my new system yet.... only the Basis 2500 with synchro, REF 10, REF 250s, REF 2SE, and Vandersteen 7s, center, and surrounds.... I think I will be getting the McIntosh MX 150 (with firmware upgrade) for the AV processor and the McIntosh MC205 to power the center and surrounds along with the Oppo 105 to complete the home theater (keeping the Pioneer Elite TV). For the digital audio, the plan is the ARC DAC8 and the Aurender S10. All equipment will be black.

I will place the REF 250s next to the L-R speakers and the MC205 in the middle below the center channel speaker, and place all other equipment along a side wall along with a control4 HC-800 to allow easy navigation using HRS racks.

Hope that all works out. I do not any of the equipment yet (on order with the speakers taking 2 months). This is all a very new system for me, and with so many options and choices, my decisions were based, in part, on the advice and comments in this forum, so Thanks!!!

[Priaptor]

Joel

I would look at other DACs. As a prior owner of the DAC8 just my recommendation.

[bzr]

Joel, there isn't a bad bit of gear in any of your suggestions. I would wait until your 2 channel rig arrives & then demo what you want in your own system, that way you get it right. Be very wary of people that say you don't want that & you should have this.

[Priaptor]

Why be wary?

It seems like the guy is buying blind anyway. Most of his equipment I owned or owned such as the DAC8 an aging design that is good but for the money he could do better, IMO, or at least as you suggest audition other DACS before committing to the DAC 8

Incidentally aren't you kind of giving him advice of what to do or not to do as well?? Should he be wary of you as well?

[bzr]

I'm telling him to audition it himself, use his own ears, not listen to advice from someone else that has different tastes than him. It's not personal priaptor, there is a bigger picture here than you or I, it's called Joel & whats best for him. He obviously loves ARC gear & the sound that it has, have you considered that as it seems to me in your reply that you hadn't, hence my quip about listen himself & not others. It's about the sound, not the bestest for me.