Cool. I like the idea of starting with what I have. After all I haven’t had a vasectomy yet and if I spend any more money right now my wife may do it by hand.

Any care to answer my ARC question above?

As far as I know ARC is lossless. Just taking the signal the TV receives and sending it along to the preamp. Of course if it arrives lossy it would get forwarded lossy.

When I use ARC (for example to watching netflix 4K on my smart TV) the sound is great, so another sign it's lossless.

As far as I know ARC is lossless. Just taking the signal the TV receives and sending it along to the preamp. Of course if it arrives lossy it would get forwarded lossy.

When I use ARC (for example to watching netflix 4K on my smart TV) the sound is great, so another sign it's lossless.

Btw congrats on the great setup! I have the T Refs as mains and the XXL as my center too. Sounds terrific.

But... the Refs (and the T Ones too, at least in my experience) "reveal" all aspects of the audio / component channel. Crappy source - shown. Crappy cables - shown. Even things like fuses (again IMHO) make a difference. So, the better the source and components bringing signal to the speakers, the better.
So, I'm a little worried about what you will get from the integrated amp. I use a separate pre-pro and 5 channel amp (actually a tube amp from Butler audio) and it sounds great.
Of course don't want to contribute to your vasectomy ( so you didn't hear this from me. But something to consider over time. I'm not sure for $1K you could do much better than what you have. Maybe wait until you can spend something like $3K for a quality pre-pro (I use marantz) and a separate quality amp...

Pbgalvin wrote:
But... the Refs (and the T Ones too, at least in my experience) "reveal" all aspects of the audio / component channel. Crappy source - shown. Crappy cables - shown. Even things like fuses (again IMHO) make a difference. So, the better the source and components bringing signal to the speakers, the better.

So, I'm a little worried about what you will get from the integrated amp.

I'm not sure for $1K you could do much better than what you have. Maybe wait until you can spend something like $3K for a quality pre-pro (I use marantz) and a separate quality amp...

I agree with Pbgalvin

All I can add is that, again, the Ref's are amazing speakers, deliver more dynamics, clarity, musicality than any other speaker I have ever heard. And, yes, they reward every upgrade along the way.

But they also just plain "milk" out of any feeds whatever sound quality is there.

Starting with your current receiver, getting it set up properly, and just doing some listening will get you a long way toward deciding how much MORE SQ you want. With these Class A speakers, the sky's the limit.

You are getting the most amazing speakers I have ever heard!

Taking it a step at a time (avoiding a vasectomy! ), makes a lot of sense. You are building a fantastic foundation in the Ref's. Most folks will never hear such amazing speakers, ever!!!

Keep them, enjoy them, and upgrade feeds to them at whatever pace works for you.

Rick

Lynx4ben, Peter and Rick said it all, especially the part about avoiding the vasectomy!!!!!
Peter may have answered your ARC question, I hope so, as I have NO Idee.
Both guys are totally right, your TRefs will shine now, but will really shine with better equipment WHEN you can safely get it.
Happy listening,
God Bless,
Wayne