Stereo Preamp or 2 channel

[walter duque]

I'm 100% addicted to Dynamic EQ for music. So there is no way I would ever use another analog stereo preamp or integrated amp even if I were a billionaire.

Seriously, if I were a billionaire right now, I would probably get the McIntosh Pre-Pro with Audyssey XT Dynamic EQ and some McIntosh Amps just because they look cool. But I must have Dynamic EQ.

Whose platform are they using?? They don't their own platform so it's a rebadged something.

 

[lovinthehd]

Whose platform are they using?? They don't their own platform so it's a rebadged something.

Audyssey's....or do you mean something else?

 

[MrBoat]

So you got one for free and a second one of those 1 ohm stable avr for $75? You can pretend they are the cheapest ever pair of integrated monoblocks on earth.

Just an inexpensive route to future proofing without sacrificing audio quality.

I was tickled to find out they were well thought of, after the fact. Then using it to drive speakers with a 98db sensitivity, the joke's on me with the severe overkill of the situation I have haphazardly happened upon here. Headroom for days, well this side of any audible distortion.

I'm thinking if most people were not subjected to internet criticisms and expectations, in a blind test, they would not be able to tell the Denon in PD mode from even the best analog flagship legacy models from days gone by. What they ought to call it is, Pure Power mode, because that's pretty much what it amounts to.

 

[MrBoat]

Having bragged about using AVR in two channel system, I must admit guilt for having acquired more fully separate amps and an integrated amp even just recently. I don't drink or anything, so why not..

I would too. I probably will in the future just because I like nice things.

That and the resident audioholics here were convincing enough with the abundance of available clean amplification. They saved me thousands already. I have some bucks to burn.

 

[PENG]

I would too. I probably will in the future just because I like nice things.

That and the resident audioholics here were convincing enough with the abundance of available clean amplification. They saved me thousands already. I have some bucks to burn.

Once you accepted the fact (okay my perceived facts) that mid range avr used within their limits actually sound as good as anything else, flipping between them and much more expensive high end gear is interesting, entertaining, satisfying, knowing that you are not only enjoying the music but also able to try and listen for the subtle difference when you are in the mood and have time to kill.

It is a different kind of feeling, than having one but not the other, and have to wonder if you are missing out on something, or just being silly after spending unnecessary money and then bury your head in the sand to avoid being hurt by the truth.

 

[Irvrobinson]

Once you accepted the fact (okay my perceived facts) that mid range avr used within their limits actually sound as good as anything else, flipping between them and much more expensive high end gear is interesting, entertaining, satisfying, knowing that you are not only enjoying the music but also able to try and listen for the subtle difference when you are in the mood and have time to kill.

It is a different kind of feeling, than having one but not the other, and have to wonder if you are missing out on something, or just being silly after spending unnecessary money and then bury your head in the sand to avoid being hurt by the truth.

Modern IC op-amps are wonderful things. I always chuckle when I see ads, old or new, touting the advantage of using discrete components. Before ICs some preamps and receivers did have questionable characteristics. Now it's rare.

 

[Mikado463]

regardless, I won't be trading in my separates for an AVR or integrated anytime soon.

 

[Irvrobinson]

regardless, I won't be trading in my separates for an AVR or integrated anytime soon.

Me neither. Not in my music system. Not ever.

 

[MrBoat]

regardless, I won't be trading in my separates for an AVR or integrated anytime soon.

I wouldn't expect anyone to. But once you happen upon a source of power that works, use it for what it's worth. I don't discount anything that works well. I kind of like the idea of learning my way around different kinds of systems and it's nice to know how to get optimal performance from any situation one may be faced with at any given time.

I still use graphic EQ, much to perhaps the dismissal of uselessness by modern audiophiles. I'm not going to stop doing it because others find it doesn't work for them.

 

[Mikado463]

I wouldn't expect anyone to. But once you happen upon a source of power that works, use it for what it's worth. I don't discount anything that works well. I kind of like the idea of learning my way around different kinds of systems and it's nice to know how to get optimal performance from any situation one may be faced with at any given time.

I still use graphic EQ, much to perhaps the dismissal of uselessness by modern audiophiles. I'm not going to stop doing it because others find it doesn't work for them.

Boat, while I understand the whole 'EQ' thing, first and foremost a properly set up and treated room is the way to go. For if one disregards this and thinks that "EQing' will be the answer they are merely applying a bandaid !

Now granted the application of both can yield great results !

 

[MrBoat]

Boat, while I understand the whole 'EQ' thing, first and foremost a properly set up and treated room is the way to go. For if one disregards this and thinks that "EQing' will be the answer they are merely applying a bandaid !

Now granted the application of both can yield great results !

EQ to taste. Doesn't have to mean a lot or even in a corrective, over say, a preferential sense.

We can't always trust or agree with a studio engineer's judgement calls. There's other reasons for EQ besides room correction.

Room treatments, are just another crude form of EQ.

 

[mtrycrafts]

...

Room treatments, are just another crude form of EQ.

Yep, you said a mouth full there.

 

[mtrycrafts]

... I have some bucks to burn.

Boy, that must be a very expensive BTU.

 

[lovinthehd]

regardless, I won't be trading in my separates for an AVR or integrated anytime soon.

Me neither. Not in my music system. Not ever.

Nor likely would I change one of my avrs to such unless someone made them available at similar pricing (let alone if they had the same connectivity of digital sources and video switching). I've got both in varying rooms but the most used rooms do not have the old analog separates due to lack of features/connectivity/video rather than sound quality differences. YMMV.

 

[MrBoat]

I was willing to build a more audiophile style system, but it's all the different types of speakers that end up distracting my curiosity.

I'd like to try Nelson Pass's amp camp build at some point, when they get back in stock.

 

[PENG]

I was willing to build a more audiophile style system, but it's all the different types of speakers that end up distracting my curiosity.

I'd like to try Nelson Pass's amp camp build at some point, when they get back in stock.

Me too, I believe in having everything, integrated, separates, receivers, why not diy.
I have been waiting for the NP for over a year, no sign of it ever going to be in stock. May have to just bite the bullet and buy the components yourself.

 

[PENG]

Me neither. Not in my music system. Not ever.

I doubt too many people would go from separates to avr for music system, not normally, but it is fun and good to have both and be able to flip back and forth at will. When I get to 90, my into a small condo health permitting, then a 25 lbs or less avr for music should be almost heaven.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

regardless, I won't be trading in my separates for an AVR or integrated anytime soon.

The salient point is that there is more than one way to achieve great sound.

You could achieve great sound from different components (analog preamps, integrated Amps, pre-pros, AVR) and different brands.

As PENG and others say, that’s why many of us concurrently own different systems.

I will be among the first to admit that I once believed that analog preamps, integrated Amps, and pre-pros were the only way to go. But many years and thousands of dollar later, I have come full circle.

It truly comes down to pure personal preferences. We all prefer different things. We don’t have justify what we own.

 

[Mikado463]

The salient point is that there is more than one way to achieve great sound.

no argument there

You could achieve great sound from different components (analog preamps, integrated Amps, pre-pros, AVR) and different brands.

again, I agree

As PENG and others say, that’s why many of us concurrently own different systems.

as do I, two of my other systems employ receivers and one an integrated, a tube one no less !

I will be among the first to admit that I once believed that analog preamps, integrated Amps, and pre-pros were the only way to go. But many years and thousands of dollar later, I have come full circle.

It truly comes down to pure personal preferences. We all prefer different things. We don’t have justify what we own.

while I get enjoyment out of all four systems in my household my main 2 channel music only set up is the clear cut winner when it comes to 'great sound'. Yes I understand completely the speaker quality component as the primary foundation (along with a acoustically good room) to a great set up. But there is certain faction on this board that think 'God forbid anybody claim to hear better performance out of anything but an AVR'.

I have over my years listened to many fine systems driven by receivers, never once has any of them bested what I've heard by the best separates based systems.

 

[MrBoat]

no argument there



again, I agree



as do I, two of my other systems employ receivers and one an integrated, a tube one no less !



while I get enjoyment out of all four systems in my household my main 2 channel music only set up is the clear cut winner when it comes to 'great sound'. Yes I understand completely the speaker quality component as the primary foundation (along with a acoustically good room) to a great set up. But there is certain faction on this board that think 'God forbid anybody claim to hear better performance out of anything but an AVR'.

I have over my years listened to many fine systems driven by receivers, never once has any of them bested what I've heard by the best separates based systems.

AVR is, more often than not, the safe answer to a lot of situations. Especially with what beer budgets and champagne tastes most posters approach this forum with, and being that they have to ask the questions in the first place.

On some older homes, I like pine novelty siding and I would love to suggest it. But then I try to imagine someone other than a professional painter, or at least someone with enough skill/time in these plug and play times, to maintain it from there on out. Finally coming to the conclusion that they would be doing well just with aiming a pressure washer at the vinyl alternative.

I have an AVR because it was free, yet I choose to use it in PD mode. You can't imagine how shocked I was that this plug and play yuppie kit had for power outside of all it's other bells and whistles.

So, just curious as to what makes the separates that much better, or, better at least than a quality AVR in PD mode?