I know nothing about pre amps... Help me decide between an AVR and pre amp!

[cameron paterson]

First question is do pre amps have dolby atmos and 4k ultra hd technology? The preamps must have pre outs for 7.2.2 or 7.2.4 right? So I would need probably 4 or 5 amps if I go with crown. Can anyone point me in a direction for a pre amp that has all these things? amps.

 

[lovinthehd]

Maybe check out Marantz AV 8805, it's got everything you're asking about https://www.audioholics.com/av-preamp-processor-reviews/marantz-av8805-13.2ch-processor. There are older AV models that can do as well. Pre-pros like this tend to be a bit pricey, tho. OTOH an avr also can act as a pre-pro at a lower cost. What is your budget?

 

[Bookmark]

Or https://www.audioholics.com/av-preamp-processor-reviews/yamaha-aventage-cx-a5100-preamp-processor-preview. A pre-pro with all the current features and the crowns for the same money as the Marantz.

 

[cameron paterson]

I will go with an AVR I am thinking.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Just get an AVR. The Denon X4000 (9.2) series often go on sale for $800 new. The X3000 (7.2) series often go on sale for $600 new.

Right now the X3300 in VERY GOOD condition (open box, 3YR Warranty) from Amazon Warehouse for $505.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01HL8KYAY/ref=dp_olp_all_mbc?ie=UTF8&condition=all
They both sound the same.

Add 2 fans to pull heat out of AVR for another $20 total.

https://www.amazon.com/AC-Infinity-MULTIFAN-Receiver-Playstation/dp/B00JLV4BWC/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1527600393&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=120mm+usb+fan&psc=1

You probably don’t even need extra power amps. Just use the AVR by itself.

In the future you can always add the Crown XLS 1502 amps to either one of these AVRs - if you actually truly need the extra power.

Keep in mind that when it comes to AVR and AVP + Amps, the salient 2 things are 1) power and 2) EQ like Audyssey Dynamic EQ and other EQ.

I assume that if you are looking into Crown amps, then you have a budget to consider.

For tighter budgets, I suggest going for a 5.1 system and getting a good AVR and adding the Crown amps only if you actually need it down the road.

 

[PENG]

First question is do pre amps have dolby atmos and 4k ultra hd technology? The preamps must have pre outs for 7.2.2 or 7.2.4 right? So I would need probably 4 or 5 amps if I go with crown. Can anyone point me in a direction for a pre amp that has all these things? amps.

You've got a lot of good alternatives, I would just add the Denon AVR-X7200WA that is available at Amazon, but at the current price they won't last long. With this Denon, I highly doubt you need to add any external amps, may be one Crown for the L/R at the most.

https://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR-X7200WA-Channel-Receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B00XIG6LYC/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_t_0/133-9298668-7043503?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=RKQ6VYXZ05QCGEPRTYRG

Or if you change you mind and want an AVP, then the previous model AV8802A is also on blow out sale.

https://www.amazon.com/Marantz-AV8802A-AV-Pre-Amplifiers-Processor/dp/B00X95GQP6/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1527601361&sr=1-1&keywords=marantz+av8802a

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Or the Denon X6300 VERY GOOD open-box from Amazon Warehouse for $1,274 (new price was $2200).

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B01KZRPPFW/ref=olp_f_primeEligible?ie=UTF8&f_all=true&f_primeEligible=true

 

[snakeeyes]

Most people will say Monolith 5 ch amp plus a Denon 4400 receiver on sale.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The preamps must have pre outs for 7.2.2 or 7.2.4 right?

For 7.1.4, I think it comes down to the X4000 series + 2Ch amp or X6300.

For 7.1.2, the Denon X4300 or X4400 will not require any external amps. For 7.1.4, you would need to add something like a $200 200x2 stereo Crown XLi amp. The X4000 series often go on sale for $800, so total price for 7.1.4 = $800 + $200 = $1,000. Probably least expensive 7.1.4 ATMOS setup.

For 7.1.4, the Denon X6300 will not require any external amps, but even the open-box item will cost close to $1300.

 

[lovinthehd]

Most people will say Monolith 5 ch amp plus a Denon 4400 receiver on sale.

LOL you'll need more votes to make that happen! If getting a 5ch amp may as well just get the 3400 for that matter....but without knowing what speakers are being used, kind of hard to recommend amps....

 

[cameron paterson]

https://www.diysoundgroup.com/home-theater-speaker-kits/home-theater-series/impressives/elusive-1099.html

and the matching center

 

[lovinthehd]

https://www.diysoundgroup.com/home-theater-speaker-kits/home-theater-series/impressives/elusive-1099.html

and the matching center

I'd just use an avr, those speakers are very sensitive and a power amp is superfluous IMO....altho that could depend on distance from speakers and spl.

 

[cameron paterson]

I have a 23' x 11' x 8' room and where I sit is 17' from the LCR's

 

[lovinthehd]

With a 75wpc amp you could achieve 106dB at that distance. What level do you listen at?!

 

[cameron paterson]

Not sure exactly how loud I listen. Pretty dang loud with gaming and lower with movies since the wife is in the room. No idea on db's. Music is very loud too.

 

[lovinthehd]

Not sure exactly how loud I listen. Pretty dang loud with gaming and lower with movies since the wife is in the room. No idea on db's. Music is very loud too.

Do a simple test with a phone spl app to get an idea....you just may want to encourage deafness/ear issues more than most. 105dB is the peak level (other than for LFE channel, that's 115dB) in a movie played at reference level (as in a theater properly setup). It's quite loud. YMMV

 

[cameron paterson]

Will I get cleaner sound with an XLS Crown amp going to the speakers though?

 

[KEW]

Will I get cleaner sound with an XLS Crown amp going to the speakers though?

How many channels are you planning on running? If you are using all 9(?) channels of an AVR that is a radically different scenario than using 5 or even 7 channels!
The Crown would only be audibly cleaner if you are over loading the AVR amps and pushing them into clipping/distortion! Both the Crown and the AVR amps have very low (as in inaudible) levels of distortion if used within their design capabilities!
A Denon 3000 or 4000 series should do fine with such efficient speakers and if you will off load the lower frequencies to a sub, but I gather you might be using different speakers for surrounds.
Just get the AVR first, then see if you hear any distortion when you crank it. If you do, off loading 2 channels with a single Crown would make a significant difference in what the AVR can do with the remaining channels.

 

[cameron paterson]

I am going to do 5.1.2 or 7.1.2. I am only powering the LCR speakers.

 

[KEW]

I am going to do 5.1.2 or 7.1.2. I am only powering the LCR speakers.

Do you mean you are powering only 3 channels using the AVR? If so, the AVR will definitely handle 3 channels with such efficient speakers (I did not check your center efficiency, but assume it is at least remotely close to the efficiency of the Mains).
How are you powering the other channels? Are you using a wireless system to get the signal to the surrounds and height channels?