new audio system - need advice

[nofx]

Hi,

I'd like to install a runeaudio/rpi (+wolfson card) integrated audio system (5.1, av receiver) and I'm competely lost. Need some basic information.
So first off a general quesion:
Which component is most likely the bottleneck in sense of sound quality? How can a rpi/wolfson hold up?

BR
Michael

[Aquarius]

Any A/V receiver will be a sound quality bottleneck.
- Pre-amplifier will not be as good as a true stereo pre-amp
- AV Amps are always very underpowered (except in the very expensive end).


The Rpi itself provides a good I²S signal. So it's a good numerical source. I don't know about your wolfson DAC but audiophiles will want to separate analog from digital so use an SPDIF out (like Hifiberry Digi for exemple, but there are probably others) with an external DAC (the DAC in you A/V receiver will do nicely).

But "for starters", and keeping your system simple, I would keep your RPi + Wolfson, use your AV receiver (next step: a true stero amplifier) and see where you go with that. Are the speakers good?

[nofx]

Thank you so much!
While I process your information...that's my set I have right now (it's quite old): Harman/Kardon HK620 amplifier and 2 JBL LX8 speakers.

[Midnight]

[Aquarius]

Most specs I see on the market for AV amps are "one channel driven" which (in my humble opinion) tells a lot about those things. (no seperate power supplies, for instance).

To each their own opinion I guess I will accept any opinion as valid if based on personnal experience instead just reading things on the net. I can only tell about my experience with trying different power-amps.

Mostly, the pre-amp sucks in those things, though. (again, except at the high end).

[Aquarius]

[Midnight]

[nofx]

[Midnight]

As you are from Württemberg: Speakers -> http://www.nubert.de/
Why do you want 4 speakers? If you are listening to stereo music, buy 2 speakers. With a big room take a look at the nuBox 683. If you also want to have your speakers to look really great take the nuLine 284

Hanging in the corner is not a good idea. Most speakers want to have some space between themselve and the walls.

Keep your amp, it's fine.

[nofx]

@Midnight
Delightful! That's right around my corner. Gonna browser the website..

Thought 4 speakers might give a better sound experience.