John Sciacca

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2 Ways to Connect an External Amp to an AV Receiver
John Sciacca  |  Sep 13, 2023  |  4 comments
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q Essentially this is a two-for-one, as both Ed Mendelson and Sam V had very similar questions about connecting an external amplifier to a Marantz AV receiver. Ed wants to add a 3-channel amp to his Marantz SR7012 to power his L/C/R speakers. Sam wants to use his Marantz SR5013 for the audio processing but use a Yamaha RX-A3020 for the amplification. How do we do this?

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The Connected Life
Creating an Audio Oasis in Your Backyard
John Sciacca  |  Sep 04, 2023  |  6 comments
When you think of “entertaining” with your AV system, chances are the first thing that comes to mind is your home theater or media room. But what about your backyard? Is it setup for outdoor entertaining?
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How Do You Properly Integrate a Subwoofer In a Stereo Setup?
John Sciacca  |  Aug 07, 2023  |  1 comments
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I have a follow-up to a previous question from one of your readers about connecting a subwoofer. Once the sub is correctly connected, how do you make sure it is set up to be fully integrated in a stereo system? —Benoit Blond

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How Do I Assess a Potential Home Theater Space?
John Sciacca  |  Jul 24, 2023  |  4 comments
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Q After several decades of renting and townhome ownership, I’m finally at a point where I’m looking to buy a single-family home. When I look at houses, I’m trying to find an area that will eventually become a dedicated home theater. What factors should I be looking at? What sizes and shapes of rooms are best? Should I be considering what materials the walls (and maybe the floor?) are made from? Are there modifications that are best done before we move in for sound isolation purposes or to improve the acoustics of a room? —Michael Brown

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Projector Buying TipsThe Connected Life
Ultra-Short-Throw Projectors: What You Need to Know
John Sciacca  |  Jul 10, 2023  |  4 comments
Ultra-short-throw (UST) projectors that can produce 100-plus-inch images when placed only a foot or so from a wall are gaining popularity. In addition to being way easier to install than traditional ceiling-mount projectors, they are suitable for daytime viewing and have become reasonably affordable. If the idea of a UST projector appeals to you, here are a few things to keep in mind.
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Should I Connect My Apple TV to the TV or Receiver?
John Sciacca  |  Jun 21, 2023  |  7 comments
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q What is the best way to set up my new Apple TV 4K (third generation)? I have a Denon AVR-S750H surround receiver and an LG OLED77CX 4K TV. I am assuming the best way is to connect my ATV directly to an available HDMI port on the receiver, but older S&V discussions, along with some other sites, recommend connecting the Apple TV directly to the TV. Please help! —Barry Neulen

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Will Using an eARC HDMI Connection from the TV to My AVR Improve the Sound?
John Sciacca  |  May 23, 2023  |  5 comments
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q Can I get better audio by connecting the TV’s eARC HDMI to my Pioneer AV receiver? I don’t believe the AVR supports eARC technology, but I’d like to get the best audio possible. —Chris Murphy

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The Connected Life
What Is the Future of Custom Installation?
John Sciacca  |  May 09, 2023  |  8 comments
I’ve worked in the custom business for over 20 years so I’m always looking ahead to see what’s on the horizon. I’m happy to report that there’s plenty to keep me optimistic and excited about the future of custom installation and smart home technology, though there will always be challenges along the way.
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Should I Use the Outboard Amp in My 7.2.4 Setup for Front L/R or Atmos Speakers?
John Sciacca  |  Apr 10, 2023  |  0 comments
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I have a 7.2.4 home theater with a Marantz SR7015 AV receiver powering 7.2.2 of the 7.2.4 speaker setup and a Marantz MM7025 stereo amp powering two of the overhead Atmos speakers. Would it make more sense to use the outboard amp to power the two front speakers rather than the Atmos speakers or does it not matter? —Mike Antoniello

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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  |  1 comments
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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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