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Hi friends. I'm looking for a very simple integrated two channel amp with 50-100 WPC, a built-in D/A converter with Toslink connector, and a remote control. All I want is an on/off switch and a volume control; no streaming, multiple inputs, video output, or complications of any kind if possible. New or used is fine.
I bought my 30 year old daughter and son-in-law a nice Marantz receiver and speakers to go with their Samsung curved TV, but they can't figure out how to use it. They stream everything through the TV and do all of their switching on the screen, which they love. Converting them to a better solution is not an option. The TV only has a Toslink digital output, so all I want to do is amplify the sound in the simplest possible way. Any ideas are much appreciated. Thanks.
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Emotiva makes something which'll work.
And you get an FM tuner, for free.
Too much is never enough
You can use the headphone jack on the Samsung. I use this type of cable to do this.
I think an easier and cheaper solution is to use the receiver with a simple and cheap universal remote control that only has power on/off, volume up/down and mute buttons. If it comes with a channel up/down button they can just ignore it, it shouldn't do anything if they pressed it anyway.
As the prior poster stated but worth repeating, Marantz has remote apps your daughter can download to their phone, this could be your best solution.
It's funny how someone can be a geek in one area of electronics and not others. I'm the opposite, I can handle the hi fi stuff but not much into computers and phones, my friends are shocked I'm not jumping on the whole streaming and putting music on a hard drive thing.
If the TV had analog outs a straight power amp would be great. Even better a Class D that came on automatically when it sensed a signal, then sound, when the TV came on and the TV works the volume.
I think they are probably happy as is.
Unless it is a vintage 1970's unit, I suspect it will have a TOSLINK input. So, just get a TOSLINK cable and connect it. CANNOT get any more simpler than that!
However, all the other advice about using the receiver as it is meant to be used is very good advice as well. Just proposing something that if it ain't broke, then don't fix it type of solution.
An AV receiver with HDMI inputs is easier for novices to use in a video setup than is an integrated amp.
With an integrated amp they will always need to go through two steps when changing sources: (1) select a video input on the TV and (2) select the corresponding audio input. With an AVR, they simply select the combined audio/video input for a given source. Marantz AVRs (and many other brands) even allow the user to spell out any name they desire for each input, such as "Sony Blu-ray" or "DirecTV," for example.
As I have done for others, I suggest you set up the Marantz for them at their home or walk them through it via telephone. It is very easy to hook up an HDMI cable from a source (e.g., a cable box) to the Marantz's HDMI Input 1, then another HDMI cable from the Marantz's HDMI output to the TV's HDMI Input 1. Finally, personalize the source name on the Marantz. It will take about two minutes to connect the cables and another three minutes to rename the input.
Thanks all. I'm an audiophile and home theater guy from way back, with a killer tube/solid state system in every room, so I can certainly set it up and work it all myself. My daughter is totally lame about it though, and never did learn to run my simple Lexicon DC-1 back then, nor any of the receivers or SS controllers thereafter that I've implemented. So now I went and bought her and her husband a simple Marantz receiver and some decent towers and she won't touch it "with all those buttons". They control the TV, Chromecast, and Blu Ray Player from their iPhones, have no cable or satellite, and either BluTooth or stream everything and (wait for it.....) play everything through the TV's sound system. I get the creeps just thinking about it, let alone hearing it.
Both the TV and the Marantz receiver do not come with manuals, but with highly nested online "manuals" that they have no chance of comprehending. They love the GUI and menus on the TV and do not want to change them. They would like to hear the music come out of the towers but, I'm convinced, they have neither the motivation nor skill to figure out the receiver. They just won't use it if they have to navigate anything more than they have.
That's why I'm looking for a two channel integrated with optical input from the TV. No receiver menus, no HDMI, no additional video anything. They are adamant about using the TV to stream some stuff and the Chromecast others. In retrospect, I should have left well enough alone.
I could certainly hook up the receiver as though it were a two channel integrated, with only a volume control and an on/off switch to be managed. But "all those buttons" on the remote make it a non-starter, and once they get lost with only the receivers little screen to guide them, they'll turn it off and forget about it.
So any ideas on an integrated two channel amp with D/A converter?
Simple but not quite as simple as you want...
https://elac.com/product/debut-series-da101eq-g-integrated-amplifier/
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=146337.0
Did you buy them a Marantz that is networked? If so they should be able to control everything with the Marantz app for the smartphone.
0nkyo makes a couple of two channel receivers with optical inputs. I suspect Yamaha and others do as well. Networks so you can use an app to control them.
Emotiva makes one too with the cutest little remote.
through an audio/video amplifier. Surely, they CAN as well. They appear younger (usually that means more adaptable, able to tolerate change).
You turn it on, you select TV, you set the volume. I know that it is tough for some of us to assimilate and YES, there are two remote controls involved, three if you consider the Blue Ray player, but life is tough sometimes ;-)
The beauty of the scheme is THAT the TV can work all by it's lonesome self because it has it's own loudspeakers anyway, when we are lazy and just scanning the channels for no good reason (I reason I had cable disconnected, and which I'm quite certain will be mentioned in the divorce proceedings if and when they happen.)
What they want is called a sound bar. I know this is blasphemy for an audiophile but it's not about you.
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From one "audiophile and home theater guy from way back" to another: Arghh!
To answer your question, Yamaha and Onkyo integrated amps with digital inputs come to mind. Links for a couple of them:
http://usa.yamaha.com/products/audio-visual/hifi-components/amps/a-s301/?mode=model
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