Best setup for a new Apple TV, 4K TV and 2.0 Receiver?

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

I started by getting recently the LG OLED77CX and now want to upgrade my sound system.

So, did you get something already or are you - like me - still searching?

I've basically narrowed it down to:

NAD M10
Lyngdorf TDAI-1120
Bluesound Powernode 2i (with HDMI)
Sonos Amp

HDMI: The Sonos don't support eARC (just ARC), while the other 3 has.

All support Airplay 2. The Sonos supports Apple Music (but I'm gonna stram from my MacBook Air 99% of the time.)

Price: The Sonos is slightly cheaper than the Bluesound, while the Lyngdorf and NAD are 3 and 4 times more expensive that that Bluesound, respectively (at least here in Norway).

Seeing I went overboard with the TV, all sensibility points to the Bluesound Powernode 2i (with HDMI) as my replacement. It is slightly underpowered (≈ 60W), compared to the other 3, but I have a small living room and never, ever blast my current Denon CEOL Piccolo (≈ 75W) anywhere near maximum volume.

The Bluesound wins all comparisons I find online, punching well above it's price range, and even though audiophiles will prefer the Lyngdorf (or the NAD), I think it's more than good enough for me...

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

 

[G5isAlive]

So, did you get something already or are you - like me - still searching?

I've basically narrowed it down to:

NAD M10
Lyngdorf TDAI-1120
Bluesound Powernode 2i (with HDMI)
Sonos Amp

HDMI: The Sonos don't support eARC (just ARC), while the other 3 has.

All support Airplay 2. The Sonos supports Apple Music (but I'm gonna stram from my MacBook Air 99% of the time.)

Price: The Sonos is slightly cheaper than the Bluesound, while the Lyngdorf and NAD are 3 and 4 times more expensive that that Bluesound, respectively (at least here in Norway).

Seeing I went overboard with the TV, all sensibility points to the Bluesound Powernode 2i (with HDMI) as my replacement. It is slightly underpowered (≈ 60W), compared to the other 3, but I have a small living room and never, ever blast my current Denon CEOL Piccolo (≈ 75W) anywhere near maximum volume.

The Bluesound wins all comparisons I find online, punching well above it's price range, and even though audiophiles will prefer the Lyngdorf (or the NAD), I think it's more than good enough for me...

Eh. I am still searching, but not that hard. I am coming to this from the opposite direction as you, I was SO impressed with the picture of my LG OLED 77CX (and key is so was my wife), that I was able to convince her we should clear out the finished part of the basement which used to be a play place for the kids, long grown and gone, and convert it into a home theater lol. so yep, I am figuring out what I need for a full Dolby Atmos surround system (7.2.4)... BUT I have time, before that I have to clear out the basement. Not easy to do in the winter.

BTW, my current sound system is SONOS Arc coupled with a huge variety of Sonos speakers throughout the house. I really like how easy it is to set up and use... well easy if you do it exactly as they want you too.... the App that comes with it has gotten much better over the years and gives me a lot of control of what music it plays from what streaming source (including Apple Music) and where it plays it. And the sound is OK. but just okay.. because in the end WIFI can't compete with wires. So for my home theater its back to real wires, real speakers, real amps... but for the rest of my home its SONOS so that I can play casual background music wherever I am.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

I've basically narrowed it down to:

NAD M10
Lyngdorf TDAI-1120
Bluesound Powernode 2i (with HDMI)
Sonos Amp

I did go for the Bluesound Powernode 2i (with HDMI).

All in all, it was the sensible choice, both considering price and needs.

I never was an audiophile, and I have no ambition to ever become one. (Growing up on cassettes and using a Sony Walkman #4 for the better part of the 80s have basically rendered both my hearing and listening habits well away from any realms of the audiophiles.)

There was a mixup with the order, so I'm getting a black one in the mail, and then have to swap it for a white one in store, so I'm not 100% sure when it'll be here.

I'm also waiting for the TV, still. The order say it's still being delivered Tuesday between 9-13, but it's also marked as "unverified", which is kind of troubling....

 

[Racineur]

I'm in the process of replacing my TV set up, and get a 4K TV.

Currently I have a 42" Toshiba 1080 TV, Apple TV 4 HD and Denon CEOL Piccolo, and I'm planning to replace all of them.

Now, technology has definitively moved forward since I got any of the stuff above (and especially since I got the TV i 2009), so I'm a bit uncertain what my best options are.

To get the sound from the Apple TV out, I'm currently using Airplay to the Piccolo, which works OK (lip sync is fine, but there's a picture and sound delay, which is annoying when pausing/restarting), so I want to have wired set up from now on.

I've looked into a number of receivers, and some have a single HDMI (Arc) and some others have (multiple) HDMI in and a single HDMI (Arc) out.

With my - somewhat limited understanding of HDMI with Arc - this gives me two options, for connecting the Apple TV, TV and Receiver:

1) Apple TV to a HDMI in on the Receiver, then from the HDMI out on the Receiver to the TV.

2) Apple TV to (any) HDMI on the TV, then from the TV HDMI (Arc) to the Receiver.

Intuitively I think option 1 is the way to go, but will option 2 also give me "perfect" picture/sound sync?

Examples of receivers I've looked at supporting the two options:

1) Denon DRA-800H, Marantz NR1200, and Onkyo TX L-20D
2) NAD D 3045, Harman Kardon Citation Amp, and (the way too expensive) NAD M10

Hi, I had the same problem since I have an old LG 50in 1080p, a 240 watts Harman-Kardon 2ch HK-3490 and an ATV HD. So no HDMI port on the Harman Kardon. My solution (and the only one I guess). HDMI from ATV to TV and toslink from TV to Harman-Kardon. I have 4 tower speakers and 2 subs. Guess what. It rocks, destroys and punch it's way out like crazy. For the days when my ears are sore, I also have a toslink (with splitter) from TV to basic soundbar.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

TV has arrived.

Our TV bench before and after

 

[Racineur]

TV has arrived.

Our TV bench before and after

View attachment 1719886View attachment 1719887

Nice. Congratulations. I see the "old" TV is a Toshiba. Which brand is the new one?

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Nice. Congratulations. I see the "old" TV is a Toshiba. Which brand is the new one?

The one is indeed a Toshiba 42XV555, bought back in 2009.

The new one is an LG 65OLEDCX, the most expensive - but also by far the best - of the ones I considered.

Just tested it for a few hours, still using the old Apple TV 4 (at 1080p), but the quality is at least a couple of orders better that the old TV. 😮

 

[Racineur]

The one is indeed a Toshiba 42XV555, bought back in 2009.

The new one is an LG 65OLEDCX, the most expensive - but also by far the best - of the ones I considered.

Just tested it for a few hours, still using the old Apple TV 4 (at 1080p), but the quality is at least a couple of orders better that the old TV. 😮

Thanks. If I may ask. Since you made the jump to 4k TV. How is the HD programming. Can you say it's way better looking than your 1080p Toshiba. My old faithful LG 50 1080p is still stunning with HD content provided the source is true HD like BlueRay or Apple TV+. I know I will have to make the switch one day and your LG would fit the bill for sure.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Thanks. If I may ask. Since you made the jump to 4k TV. How is the HD programming. Can you say it's way better looking than your 1080p Toshiba. My old faithful LG 50 1080p is still stunning with HD content provided the source is true HD like BlueRay or Apple TV+. I know I will have to make the switch one day and your LG would fit the bill for sure.

Oh, yes! I'm still looking at the output from my Apple TV 4, which is "only" HD. And - based on one evening - it's a couple of orders of magnitude better, even with upscaled 1080p content. The image is just stunning! Even in standard Eco mode.

Now, I'm just waiting for Apple to release a new, updated Apple TV 4K, to make everything even better.

I could - and probably will, at some point - set up some of the built in apps on the LG, to get 4K content that way, but for now I'm happy with the old Apple TV.

 

[Weaselboy]

TV has arrived.

Looks great and fits perfectly on your existing stand.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Looks great and fits perfectly on your existing stand.

That's not entirely coincidental... I've been living with a ruler in my hand for the last couple of months, between this and a possible re-build of our loft.

One question though, since you own a CX: How do I get rid of the cursor/pointer thingy, "eminating" from the remote, on the LG CX, for good...? That thing must go.

(Found a place suggesting I needed to hold the Home and Back button down for <30 seconds, but that just disconnects the remote, temporarily, and the next time I touch it the f*&%&% pointer is back.)

 

[Weaselboy]

One question though, since you own a CX: How do I get rid of the cursor/pointer thingy, "eminating" from the remote, on the LG CX, for good...? That thing must go.

I don't think you can. I use a Harmony remote, so don't have to deal with that thing.

 

[HDFan]

I use a Harmony remote, so don't have to deal with that thing.

Same here.

 

[phrehdd]

Not sure why you would want to pay ~$500 (Amazon price) for an almost 4 year old 800H when you could get a Yamaha RX-4VA for $439 which is state of the art (HDMI 2.1 support coming) and will support eArc. Or for a bit more the Denon AVR-S960H ($649) which is similarly state of the art. You only need to setup with 2 speakers. If you decide later you want to expand things they will support it.

Once you watch an OLED in your own home theater you will never be happy with anything else.

I understand your logic and find that the challenge is with any "ready for" bells and whistles on devices don't always deliver. Either the specs change or later offerings do a better job with more options. The items I have now are "ready for" or present a pass through that I most likely will never use as by the time those new items are standard, my system's version will be very outdated.

 

[littlepooch21]

The one is indeed a Toshiba 42XV555, bought back in 2009.

The new one is an LG 65OLEDCX, the most expensive - but also by far the best - of the ones I considered.

Just tested it for a few hours, still using the old Apple TV 4 (at 1080p), but the quality is at least a couple of orders better that the old TV. 😮

Since you are waiting on the new model Apple TV, the LG has the Apple App built in. That will at least give you 4K at this time until the new one arrives.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Since you are waiting on the new model Apple TV, the LG has the Apple App built in. That will at least give you 4K at this time until the new one arrives.

I've set up all the LG WebOS apps, just to see if I _really_ need a new Apple TV.

I've not figured out how to add other "services" to the Apple TV app on LG, like you can in the Apple TV app on the ATV, where the Up next covers shows from all the different streaming services**, and not just Apple TV+. (Is it even possible on the ATV LG app?)

After a week or so, I'm sort of inconclusive, the lack of one joint Up Next might be the thing that makes me go back to the Apple TV, and get a new one whenever Apple gets round to it.

** All but Netflix...which has cause me to watch less and less on Netflix, but that's for another thread.

 

[shakopeemn]

I've set up all the LG WebOS apps, just to see if I _really_ need a new Apple TV.

I've not figured out how to add other "services" to the Apple TV app on LG, like you can in the Apple TV app on the ATV, where the Up next covers shows from all the different streaming services**, and not just Apple TV+. (Is it even possible on the ATV LG app?)

After a week or so, I'm sort of inconclusive, the lack of one joint Up Next might be the thing that makes me go back to the Apple TV, and get a new one whenever Apple gets round to it.

** All but Netflix...which has cause me to watch less and less on Netflix, but that's for another thread.

So LG app vs Apple TV. What about the picture at 4k through the LG app??

I have an LG OLED as well and honestly can't say that the picture from most 4k sources is much better than HD, as the TV does such a great job with 1080 content. That said, the "old" 4k Planet Earth 2 bluray looks stunning on this TV.

Enjoy - you made a great decision.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

So LG app vs Apple TV. What about the picture at 4k through the LG app??

I have an LG OLED as well and honestly can't say that the picture from most 4k sources is much better than HD, as the TV does such a great job with 1080 content. That said, the "old" 4k Planet Earth 2 bluray looks stunning on this TV.

Enjoy - you made a great decision.

I've more or less given up on WebOS... that took less than two weeks.

Gone back to using the old Apple TV 4 HD, because - as you said - the TV upscales the 1080p phenomenally well, and even though the quality might be even better through the native apps, the UI (and that pointer thingy remote) was just too annoying.

Having all the shows - bar the ones from Netflix - in one Watch Now list was the thing that got me back. Having to "search" through 5 or 6 services for our shows was just too tedious.

In other news, the white Bluesound Powernode arrived at the local shop today, so I'm gonna pick that up tomorrow. Then the new set up will be complete (minus a new 2021 Apple TV 4K).

 

[x-evil-x]

id go slim marantz receiver if you wanted that look. I had one for years and eventually gave it to my brother. They look really good and very small overall. I had it on a glass shelf off to the side of the room.
Id go applet hdmi into the receiver then out to the tv. You will probably get a receiver with more inputs than just 2 but that's just the way it is. Dont get a cheap receiver for less inputs either cheap receivers sound bad. I tested a Denon that was 500$ and it sounded pretty horrible compared to my other receivers. My older Denon from 2009 sounded way better then the new Denon with all the features and 70watts per channel. My Denon did state it had 135 watts per channel so there's that. That receiver also had pre outs which I think are important for adding your own amp to your speakers if you wanted much better quality. But I think you'd be happy with a slim marantz for two channel. Id look into getting a sub. Even if you had to put it inside of a cabinet. Without a sub things don't have any life to them to me. Even with speakers that can play relatively low.

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Been using the Bluesound Powernode for a week and a half now, and that is a very capable little device. The guys at NAD seems to know what they are doing.

It has a bit less "ohmpf" then the Denon CEOL Piccolo it replaces, so I need to turn the volume a bit higher than I used to, but other than that the sound is very, very good (in my far-from-audiophile opinion).

I have a couple of "old" Philips MCD908 speakers that has very good bass perfomance (for their size), so I don't think I'll need a sub woofer.

The HDMI eARC is working flawlessly with the LG CX. There no sync issues what so ever, and I can - with this setup - listen to music through the Receiver, while having TV sound from the Apple TV (through the TV), and I'm quite happy to have both available, and not one or the other, as I would if all sound went through the Receiver (as it would with the Denon or Marantz I originally looked at.

Also, the Powernode fits perfectly in my IKEA Kallax, turned TV bench, and I didn't have to get any new furniture to accomodate a (normal width) receiver.

One thing to note though, is that so far I use a couple of old HDMI cables, which I guess is nowhere near HDMI 2.0 - and much less HDMI 2.1 - capable. When and if Apple releases a new Apple TV 4K, I'll probably get a couple of high(er) quality cables to go with that.