TOPIC:

After reading both Gonzo threads and the nanoAVR in series thread, I started to wonder about the possibility of using the AVR DL for room correction and AVR HDA for active x-over (FL + FR + FC) and BM. Source is a PC (using JRiver) to AVR DL, then HDMI splitter to two AVR HDA's. The reason they are used in parallel is to not have to deal with any delay issues the "in-series" approach might introduce. The HDA's would then be configured to allow for active x-over in the digital domain and BM. If I understand it correctly, the two HDA's can be controlled with an android app to ensure volumes are locked together.

Is there any reason this approach should not be pursued?

I never did get around to trying that, but "in theory" it will work. I suspect miniDSP will express reservations about having so many HDMI devices connected.

I'm not sure if the sync'ed volume is working yet in the app? At any rate you could control it in the DL unit.

I'm hoping the considered the possibility of people using AVR DL an HDA. I guess the dual HDA might be a complexity they did not contemplate, although I'm guessing your past usage of dual AVRs may have given them some idea that in some cases consumers would like to use multiple HDAs. Regarding volume control, I could use the DL as you suggest, but then I have to ensure controlling volume in the digital domain before the HDAs does not introduce too much deterioration in the digital domain (which of course is easier to avoid by using volume controllers in the HDAs, but if they cannot be synced, then all bets are off). Thanks for your thoughts.

It's not just the dual HDA but the presence of the splitter, which is not there in the "series" approach. I don't really see any reason it wouldn't work, provided the splitter is good (I think Jim the Oldbie commented on that specific thing)... but I have not tried it.

Good point. But from my past experience, generally speaking there are a number of cheap HDMI splitters that work pretty well, although some can be a little finicky about using different monitors. But you are right, it does potentially add a level of complexity with handshakes that the serial approach probably avoids. Again, thanks for your insights.

Hello,

I thought for awhile about adding a nanoAVR-DL to my dual HDA "Gonzo" setup. But I'm so happy with the sound of my system these days (using just the IIR filters in the HDAs) that I've just been enjoying the music & movies, and haven't felt that old urge to tweak things lately. With that said, here are a few summary thoughts:

1. My current HDMI splitter is actually a downgrade from one I was using previously, when the dual AVRs were still in the setup. It couldn't be much more basic (1 in 2 out), and yet it works pretty well. I still have to occasionally reboot it to reestablish things, usually after a change in the audio sample rate, such as when switching from movies to music. This doesn't happen very often, and I guess I've just gotten used to it. But I still have to be careful to shut down the power amps when I do this, since my nanoAVR HDs both produce a pop when it happens.

2. There is apparently a version of the Android app available that will simultaneously control 2 nanoAVRs. But I haven't bothered to try it, since I find it much easier to use an old IR remote. It never goes to sleep, and it has real buttons. Plus, the 2 units stay in sync remarkably well, at least with the old Sony receiver remote I'm using. The downside is that it provides no indication of the volume setting, but I guess I've come to terms with that as well.

3. If you do try a setup like this, please be careful with SACDs!

Good luck with whatever you decide, and let us know how you get on.

- Jim

Thanks for the heads up on the SACDs. I usually use pro amps with my systems, I guess when I'm fooling around with new approaches I should set the volume controls to low in case I screw up. I'll keep you abreast of any adventures.