yamaha z9 or RX A3020/Pioneer SC-LX86-K/Arcam Old versus new

Well, you know my thoughts, but for those in a similar position, I'd add a Bluray player with onboard True HD and DTS-MA decoding and plug into into your 7-channel input. That way, you can enjoy HD picture (plugging your HDMI to your screen) and HD audio as well. It is plenty good enough to hold its own against sub £2k receivers.

I'd wait a year and see what happens - the Z9 has done you well so far.

i didnt think blurays were still decoding onboard? any suggestions?  the plan is that this will feed a projector which will do the upscaling of the picture so i wont have to rely on the AV to.

Hi jcshutts

Have a look at Yamaha's new Aventage BD-A1020 Blu Ray player.

http://uk.yamaha.com/en/products/audio-visual/blu-ray-players/bd-a1020_w/?mode=model

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

Splendid will take a look thanks

If not a transport, blu ray players today decode audio onboard.

That appears to do the trick. It always used to be that inboard decoder a weren't as effective as the amplifier doing the processing. Am I unlikely to tell the difference do you think? Is it likely that the z9 and 1020 combo will be just as effective as the 3020 option. (Certainly a lot cheaper!!)

Almost all Bluray players decode HD audio onboard to analogue. They will then send it out of the analogue outputs and feed into your Yamaha - technically, it is still HD audio. I would recommend the Oppo BDP103, as it has good upscaling for DVD's, it will stream audio and video from other sources on your network, has access to NetFlix and music sources like Rhapsody (Napster), play DVD-Audio and SACD discs, and play CD's to a high standard too. All for £500.

Oh, and it plays Blurays rather well too 

I didn't like the idea of buying a blue ray player with top end decoding, to then pay for top end decoding in the av amp too as I'm paying for something I won't ever use. Your situation reminds me of that, other way round, I purchased a blu ray transport with no decoding functionality, only digital out to amp over hdmi.

I would get a great blu ray player (I like the idea of the oppo one' functionality and flexibility) doing all the picture and sound decoding and let the amp, amplify the sound, after all, amplifier technology hasn't changed much over the years.

Besides, most blue ray players are built with full decoding regardless, so even if you later upgrade your amp, your still no worse off. I may consider investing in better speakers rather than another av amp. 

Hi jcshutts

Your welcome although I get the feeling that something is not adding up  I'll look into this be get back to you.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft

This is great so far as it offers an opportunity to opt for a 7.1 rather than 5.1  new speakers package and I'm looking at the apex MA just to be in with everyone else lol. But seriously, considering 3x A40 upfront and the A10s for the rest. This way I can appease the wife with wall mounts, rather than my previous floor mounts. If this does work out , what interconnects would be best to feed from player to amp? 

Just a thought, can a projector provide the decoding for HD sound? I have my sights on the JVC DLA-55RBE which offers 4k (not sure what I would need to view 4k - I.e. screen comparability? 4k content ??). However this PJ has HD sound ? Is this a solution? Has anyone tested this PJ?

I'm afraid not. Home cinema PJ's have no sound or sound processing on board.

I am a bit late to this but the Z9 is worth keeping if you have other areas in your system you wish to invest in. The X55 is not real 4K more of a pseudo 4k unit using a technology they term e-shift. A good projector excels in a good environment with a good screen so if you are buying fresh look to a good one, if you already have a screen I would look at the whole cinema before investing as there may be bigger gains elsewhere.

As David has confirmed the PJ is just a display so all sound duties are handled prior to that. I have tested the X55 thoroughly so ask away.

Thanks. I haven't got the screen yet but looking at the ReAct Euroscreen with Draper - feel free to offer views. 

If the projector isn't entirely true 4k how does it perform against competitors and is this the time NOT to invest in a PJ when technology appears to be streaking ahead with traditional screens???

re the Z9 advice that's helpful thanks . I am leaning towards achieving the HD sound via an OPPO blu ray

Hi jcshutts

You will not be able to use the Aventage BD-A1020 for listening to multichannel loseless HD movie soundtracks with your DSP-Z9 as the Aventage BD-A1020 does not have multichannel analogue outputs. I got the DSP-Z9 mixed up with the DSP-Z7. I am sorry for any inconvenience this has caused.

I''ve looked into this further and an alternative player to consider is the highly regraded Cambridge Audio Azur 651BD.

As for cabling, i'll say that basic interconnects will be more then good enough to connect a Blu Ray player to the DSP-Z9.

Btw, i just want to be clear in that Musicraft does not stock Cambridge Audio products.

All the best

Rick @ Musicraft