Pre/Pro suggestions

[b&Wman]

I'm in the middle of a system upgrade and am pretty sure my current pre/pro is a bottleneck in my system. I'm not very familiar with good pre/pros but I'd like something that is excellent for home theater and excellent for music. Excellent for music meaning that it doesn't color the sound and has a good pure direct bypass and also has a decent D/A and analog output for other audio sources. No set price range. I want something that will not limit my below system but not by overkill and break the bank. Something that will fit in well with the quality of the rest of my system.

My system at the time of the upgrade will be:
Front Speakers: B&W 804S or 803S
Surround Speakers: B&W 805S
Front Amp: Odyssey Audio Stratos Plus
Rear Amp: Odyssey Audio Stratos
CD/DVD: Onkyo SP-1000 Universal Player
Groneberg Quattro Reference Cabling
Pre/Pro: Yamaha RX-V2400 receiver (that will be replaced)

[RedStep]

IMO..I don't see anything out there that beats the coveted B&K Ref 50 s2. Too many positives to list, but you can check it out here: http://www.bkcomp.com/ref50.asp

[jazznsoccer]

Here's my list:

Bryston 1.7
Arcam AV8
Anthem D1

all are very good. I bought the Arcam because I lucked into a great deal, but I could go easily with the Bryston. Check out the following links:

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=9624

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=9861

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=8790

These are at teh higher end of the spectrum.

Rotel 1098 is a good choice at a lower price level.

[ht_addict]

I'm in the middle of a system upgrade and am pretty sure my current pre/pro is a bottleneck in my system. I'm not very familiar with good pre/pros but I'd like something that is excellent for home theater and excellent for music. Excellent for music meaning that it doesn't color the sound and has a good pure direct bypass and also has a decent D/A and analog output for other audio sources. No set price range. I want something that will not limit my below system but not by overkill and break the bank. Something that will fit in well with the quality of the rest of my system.

My system at the time of the upgrade will be:
Front Speakers: B&W 804S or 803S
Surround Speakers: B&W 805S
Front Amp: Odyssey Audio Stratos Plus
Rear Amp: Odyssey Audio Stratos
CD/DVD: Onkyo SP-1000 Universal Player
Groneberg Quattro Reference Cabling
Pre/Pro: Yamaha RX-V2400 receiver (that will be replaced)

What is it about the 2400 you don't like as a pre/pro?

ht_addict

[Adz]

Here's my list:

Bryston 1.7
Arcam AV8
Anthem D1

Coincidence you would pick those? Passions (and tensions) run pretty high amongst our Guide members when it comes to these three. Throw Halo in there and you're sure to get a Royal Rumble going. I have the 1.7 and can only compare in my house to a pretty expensive Pioneer Elite Receiver and the Rotel 1098. The 1.7 has no bells and whistles, no video switching but puts forth the cleanest, incredibly utterly engaging sound I have ever heard for both HT and music.

[jimmyp58]

I guess I must have good taste ... others are kind of agreeing to what I wrote a while back...

Jim

[whoaru99]

Perhaps the Anthem AVM 30 at somewhat of a lower price point than those previously mentioned. I certainly do not have a high-end system, but none the less I'm quite pleased with my AVM 20 v.2.

[will1066]

Anyone would be happy with an AVM 20.

[ht_addict]

Try a Pioneer 56TXi. It uses Dual Motorola DSP's, 2x27000uf caps and Burr-Brown DACS. And it costs half as much as a dedicated pre/pro.

ht_addict

[jimmyp58]

What is the cost of this Pioneer?

[ht_addict]

What is the cost of this Pioneer?

I think its $1500US. I know in Canada it MSRP's for $1700, but you should be able to get 14-20% off. Alot off people get the 1014TXK for $500 since it has the same feature set as the Elite 52Tx.

ht_addict

[jimmyp58]

HT ADDICT:

There are a number of excellent dedicated pre/pros that cost a tad over, equal to, or even below this Pioneer you are referring to. Rotel RSP-1068, Anthem AVM-20 (remaining models), Sherwood Newcastle P-965, just to name a few.

Jim

[ht_addict]

HT ADDICT:

There are a number of excellent dedicated pre/pros that cost a tad over, equal to, or even below this Pioneer you are referring to. Rotel RSP-1068, Anthem AVM-20 (remaining models), Sherwood Newcastle P-965, just to name a few.

Jim

Cost maybe closer in the US but unfortunately up here in Canada, the difference is much greater. My local dealer has an AVM-20 for $3K and the RPS-1068 runs double the price also. As a pre/pro for the price the 56TXi has the processing power(Dual Motorola DSP vs AVM-20's one) and construction thats tought to beat.

ht_addict