Best Pre Processor or Receiver for cheap?

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  • PewterTA
    Moderator
    • Nov 2004
    • 2901

    Best Pre Processor or Receiver for cheap?

    I'm looking for a good, but somewhat cheap Pre or Receiver to use with my HTPC to do the decoding of DTS-Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD that will then be fed into the Rotel RSP-1098. I'm thinking of using this as a temporary unit until the RSP-1582 becomes availalbe (or until I'd save up money for it)...

    So my question is which ones are best!?!?

    I'm thinking of going along the lines of one of the Yamaha or Onkyo that's under the $500 mark....but I'm just not sure. Most likely those will be receivers which I don't need since I'll be using the pre-outs to the 1098....

    Any helps anyone has on which model or brand I'd appreciate it!!!

    Thanks!
    -Dan
    Digital Audio makes me Happy.
    -Dan
  • Chris D
    Moderator Emeritus
    • Dec 2000
    • 16877

    #2
    Dan, yeah, it sounds like you're looking to do exactly what I did (and still am doing) with my system for the last 4 years. I used a low-end Denon receiver, and it works great. I wrote all about it in Club Parasound here, in the "How I added HDMI 1.3 to my Parasound C1" thread.
    CHRIS

    Well, we're safe for now. Thank goodness we're in a bowling alley.
    - Pleasantville

    Comment

    • Ovation
      Super Senior Member
      • Sep 2004
      • 2202

      #3
      As long as the receiver has a full set of pre-outs, I think anything from Yamaha, Denon, Marantz, Pioneer or Onkyo would do the job.

      Comment

      • PewterTA
        Moderator
        • Nov 2004
        • 2901

        #4
        These are definitely in all my choices!!! So at least I know I'm going in the right direction!

        Now to just figure out which model. Chris I'll look at your post and go and see!

        I'm figuring once I'm done with it, it'll go into the bedroom hooked up to my 2 B&W 602s3s and I'll use that in there when I use my 32" HDTV. So it won't go to waste.

        Plus I already have someone (WKHanna) that will take my 1098 if the 1582 sounds just as good as the 1098 for 2ch!
        Digital Audio makes me Happy.
        -Dan

        Comment

        • madmac
          Moderator Emeritus
          • Aug 2010
          • 3122

          #5
          Why not just get a decent BD player that has analog 5.1 outs on the back and go into your Rotel that way to get the decoded hi rez audio formats?. Also remember this, your system is only as good as it's weakest link.

          I find all these 'Hi-Rez' audio formats a tad overrated to be honest. I've heard some really good stuff but by and large, what makes a recording great happens more in the studio than in it's final format. I've never heard DD-HD or DTS-HD and I'm sure it is somewhat better in some cases than the standard formats, but certainly not in every case. When I upgrade my receiver to one that decodes it, I won't poo-poo using the better formats but I'm not rushing out to get them to be honest though.
          Dan Madden :T

          Comment

          • impala454
            Ultra Senior Member
            • Oct 2007
            • 3814

            #6
            Agreed with Mac. When I got the Oppo BD player, it really extended the life of my Denon 2307CI. (07 = 2007). Just feed the analog output to the analog input and you're golden for a long time.
            -Chuck

            Comment

            • PewterTA
              Moderator
              • Nov 2004
              • 2901

              #7
              That'd be nice, but I don't think the oppo will stream everything from my 30TB server... and that in there lies the problem. I'm streaming from an HTPC for everything now...

              So I need a receiver with Pre-Outs...which I'm finding, I'm having to spend at least about $800 because nothing under that (that's good) has the pre-outs on them...

              ARGH....!!! I might just have to figure out something else... if spending that much I might as well just save it and wait to upgrade my 1098!
              Digital Audio makes me Happy.
              -Dan

              Comment

              • Hdale85
                Moderator Emeritus
                • Jan 2006
                • 16075

                #8
                Do you have 7.1 inputs on your current processor? If so why not get a nice sound card that supports those formats and output them to your current equipment?

                Comment

                • Kevin D
                  Ultra Senior Member
                  • Oct 2002
                  • 4601

                  #9
                  Pioneer VSX-1121 on sale for $450 with free shipping.

                  Comment

                  • PewterTA
                    Moderator
                    • Nov 2004
                    • 2901

                    #10
                    Dougie, I could, but it'd have to be a good USB Sound card since I'm using my laptop down at the home theater....which the only ones I've seen are pretty darn expensive... and since I'm using the HDMI out, I figured I'd might as well just receiver/pre to do the decoding. Then once I get the 1582 (or whatever Rotel does and if it's good enough) then this can be moved into the Bedroom and hooked up with the RB-1080 and B&W 602s3s that I've modified... So in the end it's a worth while purchase I think.
                    Digital Audio makes me Happy.
                    -Dan

                    Comment

                    • PewterTA
                      Moderator
                      • Nov 2004
                      • 2901

                      #11
                      Kevin, thanks! I missed this one for this price... I'm thinking this might just work, I've never had a bad experience with Pioneer stuff.
                      Digital Audio makes me Happy.
                      -Dan

                      Comment

                      • Kal Rubinson
                        Super Senior Member
                        • Mar 2006
                        • 2109

                        #12
                        Originally posted by PewterTA
                        That'd be nice, but I don't think the oppo will stream everything from my 30TB server... and that in there lies the problem. I'm streaming from an HTPC for everything now...
                        Since I do not know what you have on your laptop or PC, I cannot be certain but the Oppo will support streaming a very wide variety of audio formats as well as many video formats.

                        Originally posted by PewterTA
                        Dougie, I could, but it'd have to be a good USB Sound card since I'm using my laptop down at the home theater....
                        USB DACs are ubiquitous and there are many decent and cheap ones.

                        In the long run, a modern compatible AVR or prepro is still the best choice.
                        Kal Rubinson
                        _______________________________
                        "Music in the Round"
                        Senior Contributing Editor, Stereophile
                        http://forum.stereophile.com/category/music-round

                        Comment

                        • JDH
                          Senior Member
                          • Sep 2004
                          • 270

                          #13
                          What about a used or new Emotiva UMC-1 pre/processor ($499 new and I assume cheaper used) to add to the Rotel RSP-1098 as a stop gap measure?

                          JDH
                          Bits of HT & 2ch Stuff: Rotel, Pro-ject, Oppo, Bel Canto, Elektra Audio, Benchmark, Panasonic, DSPeaker, Epson, Slim Devices, Belkin, Philips Pronto, Harmony, URC, Sennheisser, AKG, HTPC under development, KEF, Whatmough, Definitive Technology & Pardigm Signiture speakers

                          Comment

                          • technodanvan
                            Senior Member
                            • Nov 2009
                            • 998

                            #14
                            Originally posted by JDH
                            What about a used or new Emotiva UMC-1 pre/processor ($499 new and I assume cheaper used) to add to the Rotel RSP-1098 as a stop gap measure?

                            JDH
                            If you bought one new you could probably sell the 40% coupon it comes with for $150+ if you aren't interested in the XMC-1 when it debuts. Personally I think it's a pretty okay processor at the asking price, even more so if it only ends up costing you ~$300-$350.
                            - Danny

                            Comment

                            • Ron526
                              Member
                              • Oct 2006
                              • 54

                              #15
                              Hi Pewter,

                              What mods were done to the 602's?

                              Ron526

                              Comment

                              • PewterTA
                                Moderator
                                • Nov 2004
                                • 2901

                                #16
                                Hi Ron. Basically the only thing I did was replace the wiring with better copper wire and soldered all points inside the speakers from the binding posts to the crossover to the drivers themselves. All with WBT Silver solder and I have to say the changes are very very noticeable (for the better). Highs are a lot clearer and more precise without being harsh. The mid range cleared up and didn't sound conjested. Low end got a little bit tighter and more quick, I don't think the over all bass increased at all though.

                                I'd say they now easily compete with the 700/CM series range if not sound a tad bit better...but it's been a while since I've heard that line.

                                If you're interested in changing anything on them and have any questions, I'll gladly help in any way I can.
                                Digital Audio makes me Happy.
                                -Dan

                                Comment

                                • omegaslast
                                  Junior Member
                                  • Feb 2011
                                  • 12

                                  #17
                                  Not sure if you bought anything yet but in my experience yamaha is one of the few companies who still puts pre-outs on lower models. Onkyo 709 had pre outs and was a good unit but its discontinued, might want to try and nab one

                                  Comment

                                  • impala454
                                    Ultra Senior Member
                                    • Oct 2007
                                    • 3814

                                    #18
                                    That Onkyo looks great!
                                    -Chuck

                                    Comment

                                    • Ron526
                                      Member
                                      • Oct 2006
                                      • 54

                                      #19
                                      Damn Pewter,

                                      Now I'm going to have modify my 602's and then my 601's.
                                      Is there no end to this madness?

                                      Thanx for the reply,

                                      ron526

                                      Comment

                                      • PewterTA
                                        Moderator
                                        • Nov 2004
                                        • 2901

                                        #20
                                        Yeah thanks for the Onkyo!!!!! Hmmm now I'm wondering whether I should do that or just wait for the something like the new Rotel unit or wait a while for wherever I move to... Ugh tough decision.... Course with the 802s coming... I really don't have money for any of it. I'm sort of thinking that regular DD & DTS are good enough (still) for now and not worry about it until I get these paid off. Then it'll be like Ultra Beyond HD DD & DTS codecs that the receivers will need to have. LOL. Hmmm but 550 for that Onkyo is tempting!
                                        Digital Audio makes me Happy.
                                        -Dan

                                        Comment

                                        • PewterTA
                                          Moderator
                                          • Nov 2004
                                          • 2901

                                          #21
                                          Ron if you got the time and patience... it's definitely worth it!!! The hardest to solder is the tweeters. They have a clip that I pulled the "canister" connectors out of that go right into the wire that goes for the voice coil.... I actually cut part of the connector on the tweeter to get the connectors on, but still slightly exposed and then was able to get a touch of solder on them to bind them (all it needs)...and after that the tweeter sounds much better!

                                          Wkhanna gave me 2 thumbs up and a slap on the back for how much better doing that sounded...so I think it's something that everyone should do. lol
                                          Digital Audio makes me Happy.
                                          -Dan

                                          Comment

                                          • baranowski
                                            Junior Member
                                            • May 2012
                                            • 20

                                            #22
                                            Well... I am a FLYERS fan so i do not know if I am suposed to chime in.... but I would look for a used poineer elite reveiver in you case.

                                            GO PHILLY!!!!!

                                            Comment

                                            • PewterTA
                                              Moderator
                                              • Nov 2004
                                              • 2901

                                              #23
                                              That's what I was thinking... until I heard my friends $600 Yamaha... Now I'm debating selling the 1098 and getting a Classe CP-800 and just a $800 - $900 Yamah or even that $600 model for the HT use.

                                              I figure that's a cheaper route than doing something like the SSP-800... but maybe just go with that for my pre. ACK too many decisions and not enough people willing to give me everything I want to demo at home. ha ha. I'd have gear coming and going for a year testing everything if I could! lol

                                              Philly.... *shaking my head*
                                              Digital Audio makes me Happy.
                                              -Dan

                                              Comment

                                              • Audio bliss
                                                Junior Member
                                                • Aug 2012
                                                • 9

                                                #24
                                                You should check out the harman kardon avr254...its awesome used as a pre-amp...has great setup options and all the codecs..h/d setup menu..etc.. plus its a bargain at under 400$...using mine with parasound halo amps. & paradigm speakers

                                                Comment

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