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

[NonSense]

Julie

A great CD player will almost always offer an improvement. (as they say: garbage in/garbage out) However, it may also be added later as the buget is replenished. You may need to spend a good sum to best the DAC's on the processor depending on how well it was implemented. I am not familiar with the cambridge audio player, but it may not be enough. No substitute for a listening test. Bring your DVD source to the dealer and give it a try.

The 2CH pre-amp option will allow you maximize the sound quality of a good CD player when you do make the move to upgrade the player.

[Phil Rose]

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?

From the buzz that I've seen, the DAC in the Bryston BP26 is very well regarded enough so that Bryston is going to be offering a standalone version for sale. I would expect that this is the same DAC that the BP16 would use if you ordered that option therefore, you should be fine using your pio to feed digital to the BP16.

The reason for buying the DAC option is largely eliminated if you are going to be using a top notch CD player. However,if you get the DAC option you can later experiment with various transports if so inclined. I would think that the BP16 with DAC would be more versitile than a standalone CD/BP16 setup allowing you to have more digital source inputs.

Bottom line always is does the BP16/DAC sound better that a Cambridge Audio 640C? No one can answer that but you.

[Midnite Mick]

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.

Hello, I have heard the Nuforce P8 incorporated within a home theatre setup. The processor that was in the setup was the Sherwood Newcastle P965. The person who had the setup is a moderator here, Andrew Pratt. I thought that there was a very significant difference that was well worth the inclusion of the P8. The major result of the P8 was a vast increase in soundstage. When in his listening room it was as if the surrounds were on. In addition he also felt that the Sherwood sounded better than the Rotel processor (not sure which one though) in 2 channel stereo.

I believe Nuforce has an inhome demo period so it is definately worth looking into. IMO

Mike

[alebonau]

Hello, I have heard the Nuforce P8 incorporated within a home theatre setup. The processor that was in the setup was the Sherwood Newcastle P965. The person who had the setup is a moderator here, Andrew Pratt. I thought that there was a very significant difference that was well worth the inclusion of the P8. The major result of the P8 was a vast increase in soundstage. When in his listening room it was as if the surrounds were on. In addition he also felt that the Sherwood sounded better than the Rotel processor (not sure which one though) in 2 channel stereo.

I believe Nuforce has an inhome demo period so it is definately worth looking into. IMO

Mike

Mike what you say is very typical of the kind of benefit a good 2ch pre brings to a system over a HT pre-pro or AVR. The other benfits I've expereinced are lower noise floor - from a higher fidelity component plus better detail & clarity.

[Midnite Mick]

Mike what you say is very typical of the kind of benefit a good 2ch pre brings to a system over a HT pre-pro or AVR. The other benfits I've expereinced are lower noise floor - from a higher fidelity component plus better detail & clarity.

Another benefit may be a cleaner sound. Of the few multichannel pre/pros / AVR that I have heard my most irritating complaint has been that grainy sound. I would much rather purchase a very good 2 channel pre that will last forever and swap cheaper multichannel processor for movies as future formats change. I personally am not really into multichannel music but that may be a consideration for others. I think the future will bring us more and more 2 channel preamps with HT bypasses. There has to be a huge demand for them and I am surprised that they aren't common place by now.

Mike

[alpina]

have really appreciated on the advice on this thread.

to sum up, i see my options as follows:

1. Nuforce p8 or byrston bp16 with dac matched with an av receiver like a yamaha 2600 which has all the cool video processing.

2. bryston sp2 with some sort of video switcher - expensive option given that this unit doesnt have hdmi, something that will be required for true hd/bluray viewing/listening.

3. nuforce avp16 - dont know much about it but could be a short term fix till companies like byrston sort out all the new technologies for the sp3 (a model that i dont think will be that far away)

i really want a good 2ch sound even though i'll only be using it for cd's only - will something like the bp16 be overkill given all its inputs? also, in respect to the dac, would it should noticeble improvements over the cambridge audio 540c and pioneer 989 or should i just save the $$$ and not consider the dac?

am i on the right track?

cheers,

julie

[alebonau]

have really appreciated on the advice on this thread.

to sum up, i see my options as follows:

1. Nuforce p8 or byrston bp16 with dac matched with an av receiver like a yamaha 2600 which has all the cool video processing.

2. bryston sp2 with some sort of video switcher - expensive option given that this unit doesnt have hdmi, something that will be required for true hd/bluray viewing/listening.

3. nuforce avp16 - dont know much about it but could be a short term fix till companies like byrston sort out all the new technologies for the sp3 (a model that i dont think will be that far away)

i really want a good 2ch sound even though i'll only be using it for cd's only - will something like the bp16 be overkill given all its inputs? also, in respect to the dac, would it should noticeble improvements over the cambridge audio 540c and pioneer 989 or should i just save the $$$ and not consider the dac?

am i on the right track?

cheers,

julie

have you had a listen to any of these ? or checked out any of the other options mentioned ?

[alpina]

closest that i've gotten is a sp1.7

bp16's and sp2's arent out yet - due soon but not likely to find their way into retail showrooms.

avp16 and p-8 are mail order only

julie

[aud19]

Alpina, as Phil briefly mentioned earlier, the Anthem D2 might be another option for you as it seems to fit all your criteria but it's VERY expensive at $6k+ I suppose that's the price you pay for being at the forefront. It sure is one hell of a nice machine though!! :P :yesnod:

http://statement.anthemav.com/HTML/Products/D2/D2.html

[RebelMan]

2. bryston sp2 with some sort of video switcher - expensive option given that this unit doesnt have hdmi, something that will be required for true hd/bluray viewing/listening.

am i on the right track?

Option 2 - In a heartbeat! It has been stated before by Jason (aud19) and others that the Bryston SP2 is your best bet. The SP2 surrenders absolutely nothing for two-channel or multi-channel playback. The SP2 is literally a dedicated pre-amplifier and dedicated processor in one box. Bryston went to great lengths to make the musical qualities between the BP-25 and the SP2 indistinguishable. With the BP-16 you will loose surround decoding and steering logic. Given that you are ~70% HT I would caution your third option.

Furthermore, the SP2 supports flexible and uncompromising video switching solutions, like HDMI, in the form of the "soon" to be VP2. I understand that it is a more costly approach to do all at once but unless you plan to never upgrade your system again (or you are in a hurry) then why not execute your plan over time?

You could entertain the HT pass-through solutions suggested by other posters and achieve similar results, if you decide to keep your Yamaha 2600. But why bother when the SP2 can do it all and is fully software and hardware upgradeable? For a ~5K budget and the fact that you already see the sound and build quality of Bryston products, the SP2 is a no brainer. :T

[sikoniko]

Furthermore, the SP2 supports flexible and uncompromising video switching solutions, like HDMI, in the form of the "soon" to be VP2. I understand that it is a more costly approach to do all at once but unless you plan to never upgrade your system again (or you are in a hurry) then why not execute your plan over time?

You could entertain the HT pass-through solutions suggested by other posters and achieve similar results, if you decide to keep your Yamaha 2600. But why bother when the SP2 can do it all and is fully software and hardware upgradeable? For a ~5K budget and the fact that you already see the sound and build quality of Bryston products, the SP2 is a no brainer. :T

I have an SP2 and it is great! the bypass mode introduced a new level of dimension in my sound.

I say ignore the SPV2 for the price. For cheap, you can buy the sherwood hsb-600 (comes out this month) that will take 1 component and upconvert to hdmi out, as well as offer 2 hdmi inputs. you can use that to hold you over until the new scalers come out. I've got my eye on the optoma HD-3000, as it offers an hdmi out dedicated to audio, which would work nicely when bryston adds an hdmi input to the sp2. it will allow you to keep your audio and video isolated.

[JDH]

closest that i've gotten is a sp1.7

bp16's and sp2's arent out yet - due soon but not likely to find their way into retail showrooms.

avp16 and p-8 are mail order only

julie

The P-8 can be purchased locally in Sydney, the Australian distributor is based in Perth, WA.

[alpina]

hi jdh,

yeah, but there is no one is sydney that displays or ranges the product.

saw one sydney based online site. other than that it's mail order from WA i believe

julie

[alpina]

Furthermore, the SP2 supports flexible and uncompromising video switching solutions, like HDMI, in the form of the "soon" to be VP2. I understand that it is a more costly approach to do all at once but unless you plan to never upgrade your system again (or you are in a hurry) then why not execute your plan over time?

but wont the pre-pro ultimately need hdmi (1.3) in also to deal with all the new format audio signals?

You could entertain the HT pass-through solutions suggested by other posters and achieve similar results, if you decide to keep your Yamaha 2600.

have sold 2600 (as good as it was for HT, 2ch listening was pretty ordinary and i didnt like the idea of the built in amps that i didnt need). Would consider it again if no other option avails itself . eg couple it with a bp16 or p-8.

I say ignore the SPV2 for the price. For cheap, you can buy the sherwood hsb-600 (comes out this month) that will take 1 component and upconvert to hdmi out, as well as offer 2 hdmi inputs. you can use that to hold you over until the new scalers come out. I've got my eye on the optoma HD-3000, as it offers an hdmi out dedicated to audio, which would work nicely when bryston adds an hdmi input to the sp2. it will allow you to keep your audio and video isolated.

can you please explain all this to me? if i go with the sp2 for eg, can i just plug all my video iputs into the media box of my pioneer 506 (2 hdmi, components, etc) and run it like that? if so, what am i missing out on by not having a real video switcher? isn't this essentially what the spv2 does?

cheers,


julie

[RebelMan]

but wont the pre-pro ultimately need hdmi (1.3) in also to deal with all the new format audio signals?

Since the inception of HDMI 1.0, the specification allows for 8-channels of 24 bit, 192KHz uncompressed digital audio and supports up to 5 Gbps of bandwidth. This meets or exceeds the specifications for the newest HD audio formats found in DD+, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD. Bryston is only waiting for the official release of the 1.3 specification before they intergrate the new hardware onto their VP2 boards and chassis. However, a pre/pro DOES NOT NEED HDMI in order to cooperate with the latest HD audio sound tracks found on HD-DVD and BR discs and their corresponding players provided that the pre/pro supports 5.1 analog inputs, which the SP2 does.

[alebonau]

given by the sounds you've sold the 2600. And you have power amps already. I'd still stick by my guns to say get an inexpensive ht-pro eg nad 163/rotel 1068 or equvalent price $2k aussie dollar avr and couple that with a true 2ch pre with a ht-input/bypass to integrate with the ht setup. Honestly you'd need to spend a hell of a lot to better the ht-pro's and avrs in the $2k range for hT and the 2ch pre is going to give you 2ch uncompromised and will stay with you for years without any need to upgrade that side of it.

ht pre-pro that does 2ch well, firstly the ones out there are few and far between and you'd need ot spend Spend up big to get one. And in not too long a time your goign to find it doesn't have what it needs to support the new HD formats. Either it doesn't have hdmi (as many high end ht-pros dont) or the hdmi version has been passed over with v1.3 release and then on top of that its not going to have processing on board to decode any of the hd formats anyway.

keep the 2ch and ht side separate would be my suggestion. there are many nice 2ch pre's avaialble. And theres plenty of affordable ht-pros and avrs that are quite competant for ht and will not be a big loss in purchasing to keep you going over the next few years till all the new formats and hdmi etc gets sorted out.