Need advice on selecting stereo pre-amp

[AVB]

New guy to the forum here. I just bought a whole new home theater system which includes the following:

Speakers:

Fronts: B and W 803D3's.
Center: HTM2 D3
Subs: 2 REL G2's
Surround: Cm 6
Rears: Cm 6

Amplification:

MC452 (for the 803's)
8207 (for the other 5 channels, leaving 2 channels open in case I want to expand to 9.2 later on)

Processing:

Temporarily have the Marantz 8802A for movies and videos and stuff. Considered buying the MX122 but heard it's basically the same thing as the 8802A, and couldn't justify paying thousands more. Also looked at MX 160 but didn't want to pay 14K on a processor.

Sources:

XBOX one s (going into the Marantz)
Blue Sound Node 2 (going to go to the pre-amp)
CD player (going to go the pre-amp)
Possibly a turntable in the future for vinyl


Stereo Pre-amp:

This is where I need help. I bought the 803d's and paired them with the Mcintosh 452 because of extreme musical clarity and an exceptional sound stage and image depth. The pre-amps I was considering were the Macintosh C52 and the Classe CP-800. I was leaning toward the C52 to stay in the same family as my amplifiers. I am going to do Home theater pass through as both the C52 and SP-800 are capable of this.

Any recommendations on which pre-amp to get? Or do you think I should stomach the Mac 160 processor and use it both for HT and music?

 

[everettT]

Can't imagine why you just don't use the Marantz you already have?

 

[TLS Guy]

It is a total waste of money to buy either of those preamps.

You will notice no difference in your sound what so ever. I have two Marantz pre pros and I have measured them and they are perfect. They have good headroom and add or subtract nothing from the signals.

All you will do is add complication to the system.

Don't let a hungry dealer over sell you. Like Click and Clack used to say:- " He probably has a boat payment due!"

 

[class a]

I would also consider the Pass Labs XP-10 and XP-20. Both are in your price range and they have HT Pass through. Don't know if your interested in tubes but the Prima Luna Dialogue 3 or the CJ ET-5 would make some differnt options.

 

[Mike Ruby]

Nothing goes out of date quicker than a Surround Sound Preamp. Maybe let your dealer loan you the Preamp to determine if it does perform better than what you have? Just check it out in two channel mode to keep the evaluation simple. The Mac will hold much more value than the Classe.

 

[everettT]

Nothing goes out of date quicker than a Surround Sound Preamp. Maybe let your dealer loan you the Preamp to determine if it does perform better than what you have? Just check it out in two channel mode to keep the evaluation simple. The Mac will hold much more value than the Classe.

His marantz is more than sufficient to run his 2ch duties and when he wants to upgrade that when it's outdated, the new preprocessor will handle the two channel again. Aside from spending money and having another conversation piece, there isn't a audible benefit. Next investment could be in EQING the rooms low end .

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

If you want to throw money away for pretty case and very expensive price tag pick either of them. Sound quality won't change, but your perception of it, will.
Some people like B&W signature sound, but I prefer to actually enjoy high quality music, not listening to speakers vague interpretation.
http://audio.com.pl/testy/stereo/zespoly-glosnikowe/2568-bowers-wilkins-803d3 :

$5k to $7k - I'd consider upgrading speakers, not electronics, as they directly affect 95% of total sound quality. Ascend Sierra with Raal tweeter, Philharmonic Audio and Salk would be my to go choices at this price point. I haven't heard mountain of speakers, but Salk SoundScape 8 there best speakers I heard at ANY price point. Including B&W Diamonds, Wilson Audio, Paradigm Reference and few others.

With Philharmonic 3 you probably not needing your pair of 10" Sealed subs with 450W amps - I am not a genie, but that recipe doesn't sound very promising for deep bass.