HT processor vs stereo preamp - how to get the best of both worlds?

[alpina]

hi all,

we are looking at the option of replacing our yamaha 2600 - a very good HT processor and wondering which way we should go.

we dont need a integrated unit as we preout into poweramps. we do need a HT processor as 70% of our listening is HT. at the same time we are beginning to get more and more into stereo listening so here lies our dilemma. how do we get the best of both worlds?

whichever way we go, we want a unit that has hdmi inputs/outputs.

any suggestions?

julie

ps: sorry if this sounds like a repost - just want to get input from both here and HT group

[Phil Rose]

Probably the best wayt to maximize your 2-channel performance it to install a 2-channel pre-amp with ht-bypass for the times you want to listen to movies. A receiver will give you the very latest HT functions at a relatively cost effective price point.

The next best thing is to get a very good pre-pro that is able to handle the 2-channel duties such as the Bryston SP 1.7 or SP 2. HDMI switching hasn't made it into many pre-pros yet (still a bit early) however it is in the Anthem D2 which by all accounts is an awesome machine but, expensive. It's not until you get into some VERY high priced pre-pros that you begin to get some of the fancy new features that are available in receivers.

I personally use a 6+ year old Sony TA-E9000ES pre-pro with a Sonic Frontiers Line 3SE pre-amp. The Sony is inexpensive and performs very well for HT while the SF pre-amp is beyond anything that a pre-pro could cost effecively approach for 2-channel.

[Vinny]

Like Phil stated above, use the bypass mode in the reciever unit to get the best out of stereo. I am not certain whether the Yamaha 2600 can do the bypass or not, but it should be able to(most recievers can do them).
You can add the DAC or a nice CDp. The link would be CD player->(DAC, optional)-> Reciever/pro(in bypass) -> your bryston amp -> main speakers.

[alpina]

The link would be CD player->(DAC, optional)-> Reciever/pro(in bypass) -> your bryston amp -> main speakers.

Hi Vinnie,

Could you please explain this to me a little simpler.

are well saying all my inputs (ie, stb, dvd, media box, cd player) all go into the stereo preamp or the receiver?

thanks,

julie

[aud19]

HT processor vs stereo preamp - how to get the best of both worlds?

Spend a lot of money

Serisously though I think we'd need a much better idea of a budget to really recommend anything. Though as I mentioned elsewhere and Phil mentioned here, the Bryston SP 2 is an EXCELLENT HT and stereo pre/pro ...just not cheap

[whoaru99]

Lots 'o talk about the Arcam stuff being pretty good on stereo as well as HT.

[Race Car Driver]

I just picked up a Yamaha HTR5990 for the time being, (un used but open box price) as my Sunfire Pro is on the fritz.

But Im now enjoying a functioning processor, HDMI switching, "pure direct" and "Straight Effect" to bypass the processesor, and using the center and surround internal amp if 120 watts to power the smaller speakers for the not used so much but very much welcomed 5.1 setup...

I looked at it as a tempory solution until i can win the lottery and wait for SED, HDMI1.3 and a HT amplifier....

[Vinny]

Hi Vinnie,

Could you please explain this to me a little simpler.

are well saying all my inputs (ie, stb, dvd, media box, cd player) all go into the stereo preamp or the receiver?

thanks,

julie

The idea is you use a decent CD player or a DAC to do all the decoding instead of using the reciever. The reciever will just act as a switch to route the signal into the amp directly through preamp in bypass mode without decoding the signal.

If you use a CD player you will use the analog(RCA) cable into the reciever and choose the bypass mode in the reciever. It will give you the best stereo sound. If you use a transporter+DAC you will use a digital cable from the CD player into the DAC then analog(RCA) cable into the reciever and bypass into the amp again. Either way you will get the best quality from both stereo and HT, of course assuming you have the better gear on the player and DAC than the reciever(which is the usual case, otherwise you wouldn't buy the CDplayer/DAC :B )

[alebonau]

Probably the best wayt to maximize your 2-channel performance it to install a 2-channel pre-amp with ht-bypass for the times you want to listen to movies. A receiver will give you the very latest HT functions at a relatively cost effective price point.

The next best thing is to get a very good pre-pro that is able to handle the 2-channel duties such as the Bryston SP 1.7 or SP 2. HDMI switching hasn't made it into many pre-pros yet (still a bit early) however it is in the Anthem D2 which by all accounts is an awesome machine but, expensive. It's not until you get into some VERY high priced pre-pros that you begin to get some of the fancy new features that are available in receivers.

I personally use a 6+ year old Sony TA-E9000ES pre-pro with a Sonic Frontiers Line 3SE pre-amp. The Sony is inexpensive and performs very well for HT while the SF pre-amp is beyond anything that a pre-pro could cost effecively approach for 2-channel.

alpina I'm doing the same as suggested by phil. I'm using a musical fidelity a5cr pre-pwr for 2ch. the a5cr pre has a ht-input/bypass meaning it integrates into my ht setup(hk630+elektra theatre7) absolutely fuss free.

yes you could spend up big with a pre-pro that does both ht & 2ch well but theyre few and far between and pricey. Also when upgrading for newer processing or features/connectivity you will loose big time on a unit such as this. Far better to invest in dedicated 2ch gear you'll use for a long time and works well with the gear you now have for the ht side.

Also what power amps are you using and alternative is to use a 2ch integrated eg with ht input/bypass eg the arcam a80/a90, musical fidelity a3.5 or a5 or alternatively the new CA 840A. This way you might be able to give your self a 2ch pre & pwr upgrade in one.

[alpina]

The next best thing is to get a very good pre-pro that is able to handle the 2-channel duties such as the Bryston SP 1.7 or SP 2.

Sorry, is the SP 1.7 and SP 2 the same? Can't seem to find the SP 2 on the bryston website

Thanks,

Julie

[alpina]

Also what power amps are you using

Bryston 4B & 6B

Julie

[alpina]

Spend a lot of money

Serisously though I think we'd need a much better idea of a budget to really recommend anything.

Love to spend less that than $AUS5k but can stretch to something in the Bryston bin if necessary

Biggest concern with spending big $$$ on HT receiver is that the technology dates so quickly and as a standalone the 2600 is a great HT amp, though lacking in stereo arena.

Alternative of course it to somehow integrate a Bryston BP25 with a HT receiver like the 2600, though i'm not sure if this is the best solution either.

Cheers

Julie

[alebonau]

Bryston 4B & 6B

Julie

if you have some decent power amps like you have the 2ch pre with ht input is the way to go. bryston I don't think have a pre with a ht direct.

In aussie dollars under $5k the primare pre30 is where it starts at $3500

http://www.sumikoaudio.net/primare/idx_stereoamp.htm

the musical fidelity a5cr pre is $4k,
http://www.lenwallisaudio.com/produc...s.php?pid=1148

theres also the krell kav pre around $5k
http://www.lenwallisaudio.com/produc...s.php?pid=1020

as with the the all valve audio research 16L pre which is ~$5k.

http://www.audioresearch.com/SP16.html

All very nice stuff and will do a fine job and last you many years to come.

[bleeding ears]

Julie, Wow! sounds like you have a serious case of upgrade itis.

Sp2 is on the Bryston site, click on company tab then click on press releases.

Perhaps a demo of some home theatre processors will help you decide on whether or not they are good enough for you in 2 channel. Apparently the Yam receivers can be improved on a bit for 2 channel as I am sure you know.

Have you heard any of the Rotel processors, Rsp1068 $2400 RRP or Rsp1098 ? not sure of price on the 1098, but is around $3500 I think. Unfortunately they are not HDMI.(component still does HD tv)

With those great amps, perhaps you need to go above Rotel to get the best from what you already have.

Also are you using a good cd player and analogue cables? I am not familiar with TBC cd players, please explain.


Pete

[gd]

Since you're getting advice from several different POVs, I might as well toss mine in.

Keep the Yamaha receiver, which serves you well as a HT processor... connect your 5.1 sources to it via digital... of course, hang on to your Bryston amps.

Get an upscale 2-channel preamp -- ideally with "bypass" connections -- and connect any 2-channel sources to it via analog, including the front L/R outputs of the Yamaha.

Forget about HDMI until it's further developed... unless you need the utmost convenience in AV switching, consider connecting your video sources directly to your TV.

Alternatively, the suggestions upthread to look at upscale pre-pros with better 2-ch / music capabilities are good ones... makes to investigate: Arcam, Bryston (SP2 is the current model), Cary Audio, Simaudio, Primare -- none of those are cheap, and auditioning before buying may be difficult... for considerably less money, Rotel and Sherwood are capable music performers, but again, audition first -- music sound is much more critical than movie sound, IMO.

[brac]

I can agree with gd, after lots of looking and listening I went with the sherwood newcastle p-965 pre/pro, has bypass sounds great for 2ch as well as my HT. IMO great bang for the buck..... but of course I didn't listen to anything that way in the 5k range as that was out of my price range.
Good luck, let us know what you decide..
Brac

[aud19]

FWIW, Bryston is very good at and I believe has promised software/hardware upgrades. Here's a link to the SP2:

http://www.bryston.ca/sp2_m.html

[alpina]

if you have some decent power amps like you have the 2ch pre with ht input is the way to go. bryston I don't think have a pre with a ht direct.

In aussie dollars under $5k the primare pre30 is where it starts at $3500

Thanks alebonau,

do all this pre's have ht bypass? noticed you left out the bryston 25's?

julie

[alpina]

Also are you using a good cd player and analogue cables? I am not familiar with TBC cd players, please explain.

Hi Peter,

Currently using a pioneer dv989 - hdmi for dvds and analogue for cds. TBC translates to "to be confirmed" - seriously looking at the cambridge audio 640c atm.

Cheers,

Julie

[alpina]

FWIW, Bryston is very good at and I believe has promised software/hardware upgrades. Here's a link to the SP2:
http://www.bryston.ca/sp2_m.html

thanks for the link jason - didn't see it on the aussie site

so the sp2 is a replacement for the the sp1.7?

julie

[Phil Rose]

do all this pre's have ht bypass? noticed you left out the bryston 25's

No all pre-amps don't have a ht-bypass input and the last time I checked the Bryston didn't either. You're not required to have a ht-bypass input on any 2-channel pre-amp but, the thing that the bypass does is give you a unity gain feedthrough. One could use any high-level input and set the volume control at a repeatable setting and calibrate the HT portion of the system. To use the HT system you would need to select that input as well as the volume control on the 2-channel pre to the value that you previously calibrated the system to. Kind of a PIT but doable.

so the sp2 is a replacement for the the sp1.7?

Yes. There is a video switching module SPV2 in the works that will have upgraded features from the SPV1. I don't know what the target price is but it's on the order of $2000 US so, that plus the SP2 starts to run into some serious money.

Currently using a pioneer dv989 - hdmi for dvds and analogue for cds.

I would try running coax or toslink digital from your player to your Yamaha 2600. I suspect that you would be very happy with the sound from the DACs in the receiver.

[alebonau]

Thanks alebonau,

do all this pre's have ht bypass? noticed you left out the bryston 25's?

julie

hi alpina, no as far as I know it doesn't. Many amp makers still don't eg cyrus, arcam & naim not on all models and many more. A ht input is not required for your traditional 2ch setup. But then I guess many amp makers are understanding that not everyone has the luxury of havign two completely differnet system and want one system without compromising 2ch and HT. Apart from the ones I mentioned there are also amps from plinius, cary, moon who do makes 2ch pre's with this function as well but price wise would be out of your bracket.

A good 2ch pre can provide soundstage(width & depth), clarity & detail improvements over usign an avr for 2ch

ps if going to the trouble of a 2ch pre a dedicated CD player or transport+dac as source would be a must. With pre's of this quality you can spend upto $4-$5k(aussie) to get good benefit source wise.

[alpina]

ok, thank you for all the valuable input

i know you guys have already explained it, but really simply if i go with the option of a good stereo preamp with HT bypass with a good HT receiver (say 2600) how/where do i connect up all my components/speakers and in what order do i actually connect the actual preamp with receiver.?

if you guys have the time a really simple diagram would prove invaluable as im finding this information a little overwhelming.

also, what happens in this situation when listening to multichannel audio?

finally, can i make a byston bp25 (not sure which one best suited) work in such a setup?

i'll say it again, this is an expensive hobby

many thanks,

julie

[alebonau]

ok, thank you for all the valuable input

i know you guys have already explained it, but really simply if i go with the option of a good stereo preamp with HT bypass with a good HT receiver (say 2600) how/where do i connect up all my components/speakers and in what order do i actually connect the actual preamp with receiver.?

if you guys have the time a really simple diagram would prove invaluable as im finding this information a little overwhelming.

also, what happens in this situation when listening to multichannel audio?

finally, can i make a byston bp25 (not sure which one best suited) work in such a setup?

i'll say it again, this is an expensive hobby

many thanks,

julie

it works very simply in that instead of yoru L&R mains pre-outs from your avr going into your power amp you feed them to the pre-in on the 2ch pre instead. You then run output from the 2ch pre to your pwr amp that you were using to drive you mains previously. The front speakers are still plugged into the same power amp as you have now.

When you hit the ht-lnput/ht bypass button on one of these pre's all your doing is bypassing the 2ch pre sending the line level signal straight to your amp as you are now. Since the 2ch pre is essentially bypassed in this setup the vol know on the avr is what controls vol.

When listenign to cd you simply select the cd input on yoru 2ch pre(the cd player is connected to the 2ch pre) and its output goes straight to your power amp to drive your speakers. In this case you use the vol on the 2ch pre to control.

For multichannel you connect the 6 ch output of your universal player straight into the 6ch input on your avr. For multichannel typically you jsut select the multichannel input on the avr and listen as you are now. If you want most universal players also have a 2ch output which you can direct that to a input on the 2ch pre you do this if you want to send 2ch from the hires player via your 2ch setup and here you now listen as you would with the cd player.

although it might sound complicated it essentially is a very straight forward solution.

yes you can make somethign liek the bp25 without a ht input work in this kind of arrangement. I used to use my old 2ch pre and mono blocs in this arrange ment till updated to my new pre -pwr with the ht input.

With a pre without a ht-input what you need to do is run mains l&r pre-out from yoru avr to the 2ch pre (as you would if it had a ht-input) and then l&r output to your power amp that yoru using to drive the mains. Now because the 2ch pre does not have a ht-input you now need to leave the vol know on the 2ch pre where you typically have it for 2ch listenign and run your level calibration on the avr and adjsut levels so that the L&R mains level is the same as the other - you then make a mark on the 2ch pre to ensure you remember to put the knob back to that level for HT use.

Personally with a 2ch pre without a ht/input I finally got sick of it from a useability point of view - try explaining it to other people in the house hold where to put the vol knob ! all a lot easier and fuss free in everday use with a ht-input. Its the kind of thing for me today if I got a pre without a ht-input I always wish I had one and would probably eventually replace it. Yet using a 2ch pre with it you don't evenb think about it and jsut use it. Also when there are such nice pres out there with the feature I'm not sure why you'd buy one without it in a combined system. All my thoughts no doubt. Best yo ucan do is head out and check some of these out and get some dealers to demonstrate how it all works in practice.

[aud19]

I still say you're better off with a good quality pre/pro. Even an "inexpensive" Rotel 1068 will do 2-ch better than your 2600 and the more expensive ones from the likes of Bryston, Classe etc will just do it even better. Much less muss and fuss IMO.

[gd]

I still say you're better off with a good quality pre/pro.

There's a lot to be said for going that route.

Less cabling, configuring, hookup, rack space to worry about... and it is possible that an outboard 2-ch preamp might lend a conflicting sonic impression when employed for 5.1 material with a separate AV receiver.

And there are lotsa topnotch prepros out there with excellent music capability that should be discernibly better than the Yamaha without trying to fit in an audio-only pre -- Arcam, Bryston, Cary, Simaudio, Primare, Rotel, Sherwood... the Arcam in particular seems to generate lots of positive feedback among users... the older receiver (AVR100) I heard some years ago really did sound very good with music and movies.

It really boils down to how serious a music listener you are, and then how much movie performance you want to give up to make the music right -- or vice versa... always a little compromise trying to cram these two into one system... your 'best of both worlds' goals may best be met with an upscale prepro.

[alebonau]

I could maybe understand people considering a high end HT pre-pro for all in one convenience.

Unfortunately I've also found it can be an all in one compromise.

introducing a 2ch pre with a htinput into a system only requires on additional stereo rca lead. In all the quality 2ch pre's I have demoed I have not once come across any to compromise the HT experience in one little bit. As far as useability its matter of pressing the cd button to lsiten to a cd and ht button to use for ht - nothign complicated in that I would have thought.

If "THE best of both worlds" is what your chasing with music & HT performance then adding dedicated 2ch components eg a 2ch pre is the only no compromise solution.

I've demoed classe, arcam, cyrus, myrad, parasound, nad, primare, rotel ht pre-pros and avrs upto the $8000 aussie dollar mark. And I've also demoed all the 2ch pre contenders (many in my own system) in that price range as well.

As good as some of the HT pre-pros are with 2ch, none compare on 2ch performance with the 2ch pre's in the $4-$5k aussie dollar price range. And another point of interest/discovery with my demoes was that when I checked out these HT pre-pros on HT performance compared with $2k avrs (eg the HK630, denon 3805 and others from nad and marantz & rotel) there was actually nothing in it. And infact in some cases eg the HK630 and denon 3805 did what I thought was a far superior job compared to the classe ssp30, myryad mdp500, rotel 1098, arcam avp700 & cyrus av8, primare sp31/spa21.

All in all, reasons I went with avr + 2ch pre over a high end ht pre-pro solution were..
-Better 2ch performance is possible with a dedicated 2ch pre
-Equivalent or in some cases better HT perfomance is possible with a cheaper AVR or affordable pre-pro
-reduced loss upgrading/replacing the $2k avr than a $5-$8k high end pre-pro given the impending newer processing and HDMI versions.

[Phil Rose]

alebonau:

You sir scored a direct hit with your last post. What you've said is so true.

To take it a step further, IMHO, excellent HT performance is easier to achieve than 2-channel or multi-channel music. As long as your front 3 speakers are voice matched and your sub is up to the task you're going to get extremely good performance doing 5.1 HT. No need to spend mega bucks on speakers and amps for the rear.

[JDH]

I could maybe understand people considering a high end HT pre-pro for all in one convenience.

Unfortunately I've also found it can be an all in one compromise.

introducing a 2ch pre with a htinput into a system only requires on additional stereo rca lead. In all the quality 2ch pre's I have demoed I have not once come across any to compromise the HT experience in one little bit. As far as useability its matter of pressing the cd button to lsiten to a cd and ht button to use for ht - nothign complicated in that I would have thought.

If "THE best of both worlds" is what your chasing with music & HT performance then adding dedicated 2ch components eg a 2ch pre is the only no compromise solution.

I've demoed classe, arcam, cyrus, myrad, parasound, nad, primare, rotel ht pre-pros and avrs upto the $8000 aussie dollar mark. And I've also demoed all the 2ch pre contenders (many in my own system) in that price range as well.

As good as some of the HT pre-pros are with 2ch, none compare on 2ch performance with the 2ch pre's in the $4-$5k aussie dollar price range. And another point of interest/discovery with my demoes was that when I checked out these HT pre-pros on HT performance compared with $2k avrs (eg the HK630, denon 3805 and others from nad and marantz & rotel) there was actually nothing in it. And infact in some cases eg the HK630 and denon 3805 did what I thought was a far superior job compared to the classe ssp30, myryad mdp500, rotel 1098, arcam avp700 & cyrus av8, primare sp31/spa21.

All in all, reasons I went with avr + 2ch pre over a high end ht pre-pro solution were..
-Better 2ch performance is possible with a dedicated 2ch pre
-Equivalent or in some cases better HT perfomance is possible with a cheaper AVR or affordable pre-pro
-reduced loss upgrading/replacing the $2k avr than a $5-$8k high end pre-pro given the impending newer processing and HDMI versions.

Has anyone tried a NuForce P8 pre-amp http://www.nuforce.com/products-preamp.htm with other AV gear? it also has the HT bypass feature too. I was thinking on introducing this pre-amp between my Rotel RSP-1066 and Rotel power amp for hopefully better 2ch music, doesn't seem to be to many reviews on it though. The available inputs/outputs on the P8 would be more than enough for my needs.

[alebonau]

JDH nuforce is a relative newcomer to the game especially in regards pre's so maybe why not too much mention or reviews. You might want to try ringing around some retailers in your area or the aussie distributor to see who stocks them. You might just have to borrow one or do some instore demos and comparisons to check it out for your self.

[alpina]

I've demoed classe, arcam, cyrus, myrad, parasound, nad, primare, rotel ht pre-pros and avrs upto the $8000 aussie dollar mark. And I've also demoed all the 2ch pre contenders (many in my own system) in that price range as well.

Hi alebonau,

slightly off topic but what were your thoughts on myrad gear? noticed that they have a model called msp2000 thought not sure if it had ht output?

cheers,

julie

[alebonau]

Hi alebonau,

slightly off topic but what were your thoughts on myrad gear? noticed that they have a model called msp2000 thought not sure if it had ht output?

cheers,

julie

ah myryad. Now theyre an english company thats always made some very nice solidly built 2ch gear eg their pre and power amps and cd players. They also make a nice multichannel power amp. Not familiar with the msp2000, have only come across a mxp2000 which I didn't think had a ht input and not somethign I considerd. You'd need to have a listen to make sure its to your liking. I would stay right away from their ht pre-pros. The mdp500 I demoed was pricey as hell and really nothign special at all. I later foudn out its actually not made by myryad at all its a clone job that they had someone else make for them to make sure they had something to cater for HT in their range. The dealer who was trying to sell the thing still has it on its specials page trying to flog it off.

[Aussie Geoff]

JDH nuforce is a relative newcomer to the game especially in regards pre's so maybe why not too much mention or reviews. You might want to try ringing around some retailers in your area or the aussie distributor to see who stocks them. You might just have to borrow one or do some instore demos and comparisons to check it out for your self.

Julie,

The NuForce Aussie Distributor is WAR http://www.warco.com.au/waraudio/index.html try the owner Pat O'Brien pat@warco.com.au

Personally given the great gear you have I'd stay away from all but the best recievers - they do degrade the sound... Rotel is good, as is Arcam and Athem, bu all the Yamaha's, Sony's Pioneer's etc are (to my ears) not that misucal... Listen carefully before you buy...

Geoff

[alpina]

hi geoff,

not really familiar with the brand - whats the rrp on the preamp?

thanks,

julie

[JDH]

hi geoff,

not really familiar with the brand - whats the rrp on the preamp?

thanks,

julie

Julie,

I assume the NuForce P8 retails around the $1600 AUS mark, here is a link to a place in Sydney selling it.

http://www.audiosupermart.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13

I don't know whether a $1600 AUS 2ch pre-amp will sound that much better than an AV pre-amp such as the Rotel RSP-1068 in bypass mode. If your looking for a major step up maybe you have to look at something better, however I wouldn't mind hearing one as it might still be a good match to the rest of gear, ie. speakers and poweramp and source.

[alpina]

anyone familiar with adcom gfc750? don't think adcom is that popular in australia so just wondering if anyone has an opinion on it.

thanks,

julie

[NonSense]

Julie

Some of the Bryston pre-Amps are designed for integration into an HT system. The BP16 has this option. They refer to it as Pass Thru. Not be be confused with Bypass. Bypass generally means to bypass all the DSP processing circuitry when you are connecting a quality analog input to a digial processing pre-amp. The Pass Thru bypasses the volume control of the preamp to allow the connection of a HT processor. When the pre-amps volume control is bypassed, you are able to properly calibrate the SPL of the HT system without the confusion of setting the pre-amps volume control to a specific value. The Pass-thru sets the gain of the Pre-amp to unity.

This type of settup is excellent for stereo playback. Indeed the best of both worlds. You will notice that more and more 2CH pre-amps are offering this option as more and more people see this benefit.

The Musical Fidelity products are also nice, but you already have the Bryston AMPs.

I have also been following your thread in the B&W forum. If you really plan on adding a 2CH pre, to you HT system, then the 804s should be your choice (IMO). You will see the real benefits of the better speaker.

Next stop - Source Components!

[alebonau]

Julie

Some of the Bryston pre-Amps are designed for integration into an HT system. The BP16 has this option. They refer to it as Pass Thru. Not be be confused with Bypass. Bypass generally means to bypass all the DSP processing circuitry when you are connecting a quality analog input to a digial processing pre-amp. The Pass Thru bypasses the volume control of the preamp to allow the connection of a HT processor. When the pre-amps volume control is bypassed, you are able to properly calibrate the SPL of the HT system without the confusion of setting the pre-amps volume control to a specific value. The Pass-thru sets the gain of the Pre-amp to unity.

This type of settup is excellent for stereo playback. Indeed the best of both worlds. You will notice that more and more 2CH pre-amps are offering this option as more and more people see this benefit.

The Musical Fidelity products are also nice, but you already have the Bryston AMPs.

I have also been following your thread in the B&W forum. If you really plan on adding a 2CH pre, to you HT system, then the 804s should be your choice (IMO). You will see the real benefits of the better speaker.

Next stop - Source Components!

sounds like a good option worth following up on julie. Looking at the bryston info it appears to have a digitally controlled vol control that can be programmed to provide a unity gain. The arcam integrated a80/90 do it this way as well. As NonSense(Bruce) says you do have Bryston amps already so would be a good match. The 804s speaker NonSense mentions is nice, but if its out of reach not sure if the 703 is one your considering. I've heard it at a friends place and it does a pretty good job. I actually took my pre-pwr and dac over to the friends place and heard the difference myself all the equipment can make and its well worth it.

[alpina]

Julie

Some of the Bryston pre-Amps are designed for integration into an HT system. The BP16 has this option.

Thanks Bruce,

Wasn't even aware of this model as I have been relying on the aussie Bryston site which only makes reference to the BP20 and 25 and their various derivatives.

I note that the BP16 has both analogue and digital inputs - wont all my digital inputs be connected to the av reveiver? Any idea what rrp on the BP16 is?

Lots to research to do on a product that is very hard to demo. ideally, sticking to bryston makes a lot of sense.


Julie

[alebonau]

julie yes bryston don't have huge presence in Oz which makes demoing hard, plus eg in melbourne where I'm at the few retaillers that supposedly stock it might have one or two items thats it. And know next to nothign about the products them selves.

You might be better off speaking to the australian bryston importer Syntec on 1800 648 628. they shoudl be able to let you know of rrp and who might stock the bp16 so you can have a look at it in the flesh, have a bit of a play to see how it works & have listen as well.

[JDH]

Electronic Enterprizes in Sydney Stock Bryson, might pay to give them a call and see what they stock.

[alebonau]

Electronic Enterprizes in Sydney Stock Bryson, might pay to give them a call and see what they stock.

the nsw bryston stockists are :

Pure audio (Rozelle) 02 9810 9165
Springwood hifi(Faulconbridge) 02 4751 3091
Electronics enterpises(gordon) as per by jdh 02 9880 2111
and campaspie hifi but as you probably knwo they went belly up

[alpina]

the nsw bryston stockists are :

Pure audio (Rozelle) 02 9810 9165
Springwood hifi(Faulconbridge) 02 4751 3091
Electronics enterpises(gordon) as per by jdh 02 9880 2111
and campaspie hifi but as you probably knwo they went belly up

thanks for that.

all on their webiste which may i add is excellent, even has pricing

BP16 not listed there so will have to call them - possible it's not marketed here.

of the stores listed, i think only Electronics Enterprises really stock them

julie

[twitch54]

[QUOTE=Phil Rose]Probably the best wayt to maximize your 2-channel performance it to install a 2-channel pre-amp with ht-bypass for the times you want to listen to movies. A receiver will give you the very latest HT functions at a relatively cost effective price point.


I totally agree with Phil, the number of "HT" processors that do justice to two channel listening you can count on one hand and have fingers left over ! Build your system around a great pre-amp, power amp, speakers of your choice and then add the "HT" stuff after, you won't be disapointed !!

[alpina]

slightly off topic but if we get the bp16 (only bryston preamp with a pass through) with inbuilt DA, would their be any value in getting a good cd player (eg cambridge audio 640c) or would we get a better result by just using our pioneer 989 dvd player for cd player via bp16?

thanks,

julie