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AUDIO FORUMS >> General Discussion and Support >> help with setup
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Message started by Bob Loblaw on 02/17/22 at 01:50:05

Title: help with setup
Post by Bob Loblaw on 02/17/22 at 01:50:05

Fellow music lovers… I am waiting on a Zen Triode and Forte IV’s and I am doing homework on a quality turntable which would give me a nice setup for listening to vinyl.

Where I am getting a little confused is other ways I can incorporate this core of equipment into the rest of my living room. If I want to stream HD audio somewhere like Qobuz (from a laptop), what do I need and is it possible to use with the Triode/ForteIV combo. Is it possible to use the speakers as the audio for my TV if I incorporated a receiver or something and if so would doing this compromise the quality of the sound compared to running the Triode/ForteIV/turntable alone? Do I need to consider a preamp for any of these purposes? I'm wondering if my options for these additional uses is limited due to the low power of the triode and if they are, whether there are workarounds.

Grateful for any advice on these issues!

Title: Re: help with setup
Post by Brian on 02/17/22 at 03:42:57

You need a streamer and a digital to analogue converter. These are often separate items, but at least one - the Cambridge, is both in one component.
Yes, these things are compatible with your amp and speaker. I do not remember how many input jacks are on your model of amplifier. You may need to choose either to add a switching box, or else unplug the phono amp when you want to listen to streamed music.

You need a phonograph preamp between the record player and the main amplifier - your Decware Zen.

Welcome to the forum Bob. I hope residents more knowledgeable than me will help with your questions.
Brian

Title: Re: help with setup
Post by OKNOTOK on 02/17/22 at 06:48:34

Hi Bob, welcome!

To connect your TV depends on the outputs of the TV, however most TV's have a Toslink optical output which you can connect to your DAC or Streamer+DAC. Toslink is the best choice in this case so you don't introduce a ground loop or (electrical) noise from the TV into your audio chain. Most DACs have Toslink/Optical input but a Streamer+DAC may not.

Hope this helps,
Richard.

Title: Re: help with setup
Post by JBzen on 02/17/22 at 10:44:11

Hi Bob and welcome.

Along with Brian and Richard advice, if you want to keep things simple with minimal additional equipment, find a turntable with a pre stage of 1.5v or better output, make sure your triode has two inputs(I believe Decware will add an input to any if requested), and add the Cambridge CXVN2 streamer that will give many options of incorporating additional audio sources you are thinking of adding. This will maintain the integrity of the vinyl and a flip of a switch will bring in a slightly degraded audio experience from the other sources. But, there is a mod available that can be done for the Cambridge from Modwright that will bring those sources up to par with the vinyl loop.

John

Title: Re: help with setup
Post by Bob Loblaw on 02/17/22 at 17:01:07

Thank you all for your input and time! I will look into this information and report back. I may have a few follow up questions but this should set me on the right path. Thanks again!

Title: Re: help with setup
Post by DirtDawg on 03/07/22 at 14:22:53

Hi, Bob, good to see you here.
Having another setting up a system with lots of questions is only going to benefit all of us as responses from the "seasoned heads" build.

I don't presume to know what your audio realm might be, but you seem to have a great deal of knowledge already, so please continue to post your findings as you get things sorted the way you want.

We will all learn from your endeavers.
[smiley=icqlite20.png]

Title: Re: help with setup
Post by JMeader on 03/07/22 at 18:17:39

Another Combo Streamer option is the MiniDSP SHD with or without a DAC

https://www.minidsp.com/products/streaming-hd-series/shd-series

typical connections plus ability to accept a network connection

I use Audirvana Studio ( on separate PC )connected to MiniDSP SHD via network out to preamp or amp via RCA or XLR

Lots of options, no added noise on my system :)

Title: Re: help with setup
Post by Bob Loblaw on 03/07/22 at 23:20:32

Thank you again everyone for your input and time! Since my original message, the Forte IVs arrived, I got a TubeCube 7 to use while waiting for my Zen Triode order is being processed, and I took the advice of getting the Cambridge CXVN2 streamer (hardwired to router). Hooked up the TV to the streamer via TOSlink optical and that is working really nicely as is the music streaming.

Next on the list is to do more homework on a turntable/preamp and go from there.

One question is how important the quality of the RCA cable going from the streamer to the amp is? I just picked up the amazon basics version of the appropriate length.

Thanks again everyone, really blown away at how much great input I've received and I could not be happier with my set up so far!

Title: Re: help with setup
Post by JBzen on 03/08/22 at 11:24:25

RCA patch cords can bring out the most that the equipment patched has to offer. The best patch cords carry the signal with minimum degradation while keeping external Interferences out. If you are happy now with the Amazon Basics don't sweat it. Once you get Decware's amp and settle on a turntable/pre opt for Decwares new reference silver interconnects. Then you have the option to switch the cable on the other feed to see if it makes a positive difference.

John

Title: Re: help with setup
Post by SoCalBill on 03/09/22 at 02:12:00

For cables - I'll toss out Blue Jeans Cable... hard to beat the quality for that price point. https://www.bluejeanscable.com/
In terms of turntable - keep in mind the cost of a quality cartridge... I would suggest putting more money toward the turntable as a cartridge can be upgraded. I'm a fan of the VPI Scout and Prime, but some prefer a more automatic route. As for a phono stage - I run a Schiit Mani 2 and it is "good", but I have a ZP3 on order and am looking forward toward that upgrade.
Lastly component placement is critical - I try to have the phono preamp as close to the turntable and yet away from any transformers. You might want to take sometime and look into a rack or where things where "live"... you don't want to get all this nice gear and have a feedback loop.