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What’s it Take to Upgrade to Auro-3D Surround?
Al Griffin  |  Aug 30, 2022  | 
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Q I currently have a Dolby Atmos/DTS-X 7.1.4 speaker setup that uses a Marantz SR7011 A/V receiver, which I'm interested in upgrading to Auro-3D. Can Auro-3D decode/convert Atmos and DTS-X? And should I set up the ceiling speakers the way Auro-3D suggests or leave them in their Dolby Atmos recommended positions? After reading several articles praising the immersive sound quality of Auro-3D, I’m anxious to check it out. —Dave Davey, Mount Arlington, NJ

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What’s My Best Option for Storing Music in the Cloud?
Al Griffin  |  Mar 26, 2015  | 
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Q I am trying to figure out if I can use Dropbox to store both my Rdio Favorites collection and iTunes library. I have a huge iTunes library—around 600 GB. I would like to give a few friends and relatives access to the music. Is this possible?  —Jim Gold

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What’s New About Extended Color TVs?
Al Griffin  |  May 05, 2016  | 
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Q Is extended color really new? My current set already offers that feature by being Deep Color and xvYCC compatible. I thought the deal was that few people could notice the difference, and extended color didn’t catch on. What’s really new this time around? —Doug Allred / Jamestown, NC

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What’s New for AV Receivers in 2016?
Al Griffin  |  Mar 16, 2016  | 
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q What new features are coming to AV receivers in 2016? I guess my question is more about what features might be missing from 2015 models, which already have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth aptX, Airplay, High-res FLAC and DSD support, 4K pass-through, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X processing. I am interested in the latest Marantz receivers, specifically the NR-1506 and SR-5010, but noticed that those models were announced back in June 2015. Should I wait for new 2016 models? —Jason York

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What’s the Best Amplifier Configuration for Upgrading My 5.1 Setup to Atmos?
John Sciacca  |  Jul 02, 2024  | 
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Q I recently upgraded my 5.1 home theater to Atmos by adding a pair of in-ceiling speakers to create a 5.1.2 setup. I want to connect my seven MartinLogan Motion XT series speakers to my A/V receiver and an external amp. I’ve been running the five main speakers off my Denon AVR-X6500H and plan on adding an Integra DTA-70.1 amplifier, which I own but haven’t been using. How should I best utilize the amps? —Jesse

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What’s the Best Blu-ray-to-Processor Connection for Listening to SACDs?
Al Griffin  |  Apr 03, 2014  | 
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Q I just bought an Oppo BDP-103 universal player and am connecting it to a Marantz AV7005 pre/pro. How do I make sure the signal gets through when playing SACDs? Use the analog RCA outputs, or can HDMI handle it? —Mike Groft / via e-mail

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What’s the Best Path to Structured Wiring?
Al Griffin  |  May 05, 2015  | 
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Q I’m considering buying a home where the builder has options for structured wiring. The markup on this option seems a little high (a few hundred dollars to go from 16-gauge to 12-gauge speaker wire, etc.). I know the best time to run wire is during the construction process, but what is the best way to accomplish it: builder, custom installer, or DIY? One major concern is that the exterior walls will have spray-foam insulation, so once that’s in, I’m thinking those walls are hands-off.—Mike Sellers / Tomball, TX

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What’s the Best Soundbar Option for an Apartment?
Al Griffin  |  Apr 06, 2017  | 
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Q After reading soundbar reviews in Sound & Vision, one thing seems clear: to get the best sound, you need to combine a soundbar with a subwoofer. My problem is that I will soon be moving from a house to an apartment. As I’m sure you’re aware, the tenant with a subwoofer in an apartment building is usually the least favorite neighbor.  

My current 5.1 setup includes Definitive Technology ProMonitor 800s, a ProCenter 1000 and ProSub 1000. Everything is hooked up to a Marantz 7701 preamp/processor and matching amp. Do you have any suggestions for replacing my system with a standalone soundbar that won't compromise on bass? I would ideally like to continue using the Marantz amp and preamp. —Brian Morgan

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What’s the Best Way to Connect a Subwoofer to My Stereo Receiver?
John Sciacca  |  Dec 22, 2022  | 
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Q I have a Yamaha stereo receiver and would like to connect a Polk active sub to the “B” speaker jacks while powering a pair of Polk speakers from the “A” speaker jacks. Will this work, or must I instead connect the speakers to the line out on the sub? Which connection will give me the best result without causing damage to the amp? — Alex Parkes, via email

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What’s the Best Way to Get Hi-Res Audio from My iPhone to My Amplifier
John Sciacca  |  Mar 21, 2023  | 
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Q I have a Yamaha WXA-50 amplifier, and I would like to play hi-res audio from Apple Music and get the full benefit through the amp. In my mind, I would buy a DAC capable of connecting through USB to my iPhone, then to my amplifier’s digital audio-in. Most DACs seem to only have RCA outputs, but it seems to me that the purest experience is to “stay digital” until the amplifier converts to analog. Is there something I’m not thinking about correctly? —Jeremiah Rogers

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What’s the Best Way to Improve Bass in a Multiroom Audio System?
John Sciacca  |  Apr 16, 2024  | 
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Q I have an existing housewide audio system with a receiver connected to a speaker selector and speakers and volume controls in four rooms. The bass isn’t very good, and I’d like to improve it. How can I add a subwoofer to my housewide audio system? — Don Hamilton

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What’s the Best Way to Stream Music from My PC?
Al Griffin  |  Dec 03, 2013  | 
Q I’m wondering about the best setup to stream music from my computer. I currently use an Apple TV connected to an Onkyo receiver to stream Apple Lossless files from my Mac via AirPlay. Is there a better way? Should I add an outboard DAC or switch to a different network streaming device? —Rafael Cremonese / via e-mail
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What’s the Difference Between a $500 Streamer & One that Costs Several Times More?
John Sciacca  |  Jun 18, 2024  | 
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Q Bluesound’s Node streamer has a built-in DAC and costs around $500. Meanwhile, Lumin, Linn, and Naim sell streamers without built-in DACs for over $2,000 or $3,000. What do these more expensive streamers do to the signal that justifies the extra expense? And if the digital output from these pricier streamers is of higher “quality,” can a high-quality DAC compensate for a lower-priced streamer with a “lower quality” output? — Reginald Tinsley

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What’s the Difference Between HDMI ARC and eARC?
Al Griffin  |  Feb 23, 2022  | 
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I want to get the highest possible audio quality from my home theater system when using the streaming apps on my new Samsung QN90A Neo QLED 4K smart TV. Is the TV’s eARC port compatible with my Denon receiver’s ARC port? By compatible, I mean will the Denon “understand” the Dolby Digital Plus bitstream coming from the apps and just ignore any Atmos metadata? —George Perkins / Madison, WI

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What’s the Difference Between Hi-Res and Hi-Fi Audio?
Al Griffin  |  Sep 30, 2015  | 
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Q What is the difference between Hi-Res and Hi-Fi? Which is better in your opinion? —Mario Antonio Aburto Calderón / Costa Rica

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