Amplifier with HDMI input?

[Dupont666]

Im looking to replace my Musical fidelity X-A1



with something that can take in a HDMI input (at least one maybe two) so that I can run a media player into it for music (instead of a CD player) and one for the TV for better sound.

I would like a valve amp like one of these:

http://www.affordablevalvecompany.com/products.htm

if it could take HDMI in, does anyone know of one that can do it?

In fact is it possible? How difficult would if be to create one that can?

[Plotloss]

A stereo media player wont benefit in any way from having a HDMI output, there also are no televisions with a HDMI output.

Why the requirement for HDMI?

[Dupont666]

Plotloss said:

A stereo media player wont benefit in any way from having a HDMI output, there also are no televisions with a HDMI output.

Why the requirement for HDMI?

for use with this or something similar:

http://www.hdxdirect.com/index.php?option=com_cont...

Presume the output is better than analog/digital outputs, or am I wrong and its only for streaming video to tv?

[Plotloss]

The Popcorn Hour is capable of presenting video and multichannel audio up the HDMI.

If you present a multichannel stream to a stereo amplifier (if one existed that took HDMI) it will drop everything but the L&R front effects the upshot of which will be identical to using the RCA connections and setting the software to output Stereo rather than Multichannel audio.

[DavidY]

I've got an HDX1000, the best audio you will get out of it is vis the Digital Out (SP/DIF) into a DAC of your choice and then onwards to your amplifier. But....

The menus on the HDX1000/Popcorn Hour (they essentially run the same software) are very very very slow and not really suitable for browsing a large audio collection, fine for movies where you don't use the menus that often.

For audio I'd look at a Squeezebox or similar (I have both Squeezebox and HDX1000 in my system providing digital outputs to my processor)

davidy

[Dupont666]

Plotloss said:

The Popcorn Hour is capable of presenting video and multichannel audio up the HDMI.

If you present a multichannel stream to a stereo amplifier (if one existed that took HDMI) it will drop everything but the L&R front effects the upshot of which will be identical to using the RCA connections and setting the software to output Stereo rather than Multichannel audio.

So that in laymans terms means its not worth it for audio?

So what is the point of the HDMI output in the HDX1000 if you cant plug it into a amplifer for audio? Can I not have a HDMI splitter straight after the HDX1000 and then one to amp and one to the TV?

Or does it all have to go to the TV in HDMI form first before anywhere else?

Can the menu system on the HDX1000 be speeded up or am I going to be looking at a NAS system with a HDX1000 for streamed video for the TV and a squeezebox hooked up as well for the audio?

[Plotloss]

The point of HDMI is that it will carry multichannel audio.

The amp in your first post is a stereo amp.

If you want a multichannel amp with a 5.1 or a 7.1 array then there are loads with HDMI

If you want a 'hifi' amp then its pointless using HDMI

[Dupont666]

Plotloss said:

The point of HDMI is that it will carry multichannel audio.

The amp in your first post is a stereo amp.

If you want a multichannel amp with a 5.1 or a 7.1 array then there are loads with HDMI

If you want a 'hifi' amp then its pointless using HDMI

Err... The amp in my first post is being replaced (thats the point) was looking at a replacement and wondered if a valve amp exists (if not why not and how difficult to create one?) that could do it all or if its just a stereo amp.

If not then would I need one of the yamaha type of ones that can do it, but since I hate them, I will just stick with the normal one I have.

[DavidY]

Dupont666 said:

I going to be looking at a NAS system with a HDX1000 for streamed video for the TV and a squeezebox hooked up as well for the audio

This is what I have found and gives a good solution (though an extra box and remote)

davidy

[Plotloss]

Dupont666 said:

Plotloss said:

The point of HDMI is that it will carry multichannel audio.

The amp in your first post is a stereo amp.

If you want a multichannel amp with a 5.1 or a 7.1 array then there are loads with HDMI

If you want a 'hifi' amp then its pointless using HDMI

Err... The amp in my first post is being replaced (thats the point) was looking at a replacement and wondered if a valve amp exists (if not why not and how difficult to create one?) that could do it all or if its just a stereo amp.

If not then would I need one of the yamaha type of ones that can do it, but since I hate them, I will just stick with the normal one I have.

You could get a processor and a seperate bank of power amps, which could be valve if you can find the right configuration.

[Dupont666]

Plotloss said:

Dupont666 said:

Plotloss said:

The point of HDMI is that it will carry multichannel audio.

The amp in your first post is a stereo amp.

If you want a multichannel amp with a 5.1 or a 7.1 array then there are loads with HDMI

If you want a 'hifi' amp then its pointless using HDMI

Err... The amp in my first post is being replaced (thats the point) was looking at a replacement and wondered if a valve amp exists (if not why not and how difficult to create one?) that could do it all or if its just a stereo amp.

If not then would I need one of the yamaha type of ones that can do it, but since I hate them, I will just stick with the normal one I have.

You could get a processor and a seperate bank of power amps, which could be valve if you can find the right configuration.

CAn you recommend a good processor at the moment?

And some affordable valve power amps?

Is it possible to combine all in one product and if its not available, why has noone thought of doing it?

[Plotloss]

Because whilst valve amps sound warner they arent as articulate or as quick so they dont really work in multichannel applications where the signal is far more varied than it is with hifi.

A good entry level processor is the Onkyo PRC886

[Dupont666]

Plotloss said:

Because whilst valve amps sound warner they arent as articulate or as quick so they dont really work in multichannel applications where the signal is far more varied than it is with hifi.

A good entry level processor is the Onkyo PRC886

So what about 2 power amps and a processor then?

I suppose the only real multi channel out there is the Pathos Cinema X, then you are talking quite a lot of cash.

http://www.whathifi.com/Review/Pathos-Cinema-X/

http://hometheater.about.com/od/vacuumtubeaudio/a/...

suggests it is possible, but again a lot of money

[DavidY]

The Onkyo is a good choice of processor though it's two channel decoding of a stereo PCM signal isn't the best.

If you don't want the latest HD Audio Codecs (and would be happy with DD/DTS and of course stereo) then you would do better looking at a more audio orientated processor than the Onkyo, such as a secondhand unit from TAG McLaren or Meridian (or even Arcam). The choice of power amps is then yours.

davidy

[Dupont666]

DavidY said:

The Onkyo is a good choice of processor though it's two channel decoding of a stereo PCM signal isn't the best.

If you don't want the latest HD Audio Codecs (and would be happy with DD/DTS and of course stereo) then you would do better looking at a more audio orientated processor than the Onkyo, such as a secondhand unit from TAG McLaren or Meridian (or even Arcam). The choice of power amps is then yours.

davidy

TAG McLaren and Arcam brings back memories, was looking at them when the musical fidelity one became available for stupid money (think it was £150 and 6 months old) and so took that instead.

Is ebay the only place to look at 2nd hand units?

[DavidY]

No you can look here as well:-

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

If you fancy a Meridian unit, there is a 568.2 here:-

http://www.meridianunplugged.com/ubbthreads/ubbthr...

Would think that it's worth £850 +/-£100, originall cost £4K!

Full specs here:- http://www.meridian-audio.info/show.php?compid=152

davidy