need a"3d" pre/pro for under 5K? Suggestions welcome

[yitb1007]

Hello gentleman, constant lurker first time poster. In my media room I currently run a B&K ref 70 and a B&K 200.5. Center is HTM2, fronts are B&W 803s. Backs are 805s. Happy with the system, but B&K has went out of business. My Ref 70 has died two years in. Im nowlooking for a new pre/pro with 3d (for the kids) for under 5K that can power my beast! Any suggestions will be more than welcome. Just hate the idea of losing great sound for the sillyness of 3d, but If kiddos aint happy then daddy cant be happy.
PS. Putting children up for adoption is not a viable option at this point per wife.

 

[jinjuku]

Hello gentleman, constant lurker first time poster. In my media room I currently run a B&K ref 70 and a B&K 200.5. Center is HTM2, fronts are B&W 803s. Backs are 805s. Happy with the system, but B&K has went out of business. My Ref 70 has died two years in. Im now looking for a new pre/pro with 3d (for the kids) for under 5K that can power my beast! Any suggestions will be more than welcome. Just hate the idea of losing great sound for the sillyness of 3d, but If kiddos aint happy then daddy cant be happy.
PS. Putting children up for adoption is not a viable option at this point per wife.

Denon 4311

Onkyo DHC 80.3

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

+1 with small correction (Integra is Onkyo's hi-end brand)

Denon 4311CI

Integra DHC 80.3

 

[zumbo]

Marantz US | AV7005

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

Outside of 3D, are there any particular features that you would like? For example, is there a specific auto calibration routine that you favor (i.e. Audyssey, MCACC, YPAO)?

Also, what's your budget for this?

I use a Pioneer Elite as my pre/pro. I only went to the Elite line in 2009 because I couldn't get all of the features (namely, pre-amp outputs) in the regular line like I could in 2005. I've been very happy with it and the MCACC auto calibration. I've read good things about the latest Audyssey MultEQ, though, and how it can also calibrate subwoofers.

 

[jinjuku]

Also, what's your budget for this?

I use a Pioneer Elite as my pre/pro. I only went to the Elite line in 2009 because I couldn't get all of the features (namely, pre-amp outputs) in the regular line like I could in 2005. I've been very happy with it and the MCACC auto calibration. I've read good things about the latest Audyssey MultEQ, though, and how it can also calibrate subwoofers.

He said under 5K. The Intregra has MultiEX XT32 and Pro Audyssey

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would say the Denon 4311 or the Yamaha RX-A3000 for $1126 USED, but LIKE NEW fulfilled by Amazon directly.

140 WPC x 7ch of Yamaha power.

Amazon.com: Used and New: Yamaha RX-A3000 7.1-Channel Audio/Video Receiver (Black)

Or Yamaha RX-A3010 w/ 150wpc x 9ch @ $1520 LIKE NEW from Onecall or $1890 brand new:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0056GJLJY/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&qid=1325864357&sr=1-1&condition=used

 

[davidtwotrees]

The OP did say a prepro, and that is what he is replacing. Does he mind using a receiver? That's a pretty nice rig he's got there. Anthem comes to mind, do they offer three d yet?
If it is a prepro, he is pretty limited with the 3d options. Jinjuku nailed it if that is indeed the case.

 

[jinjuku]

The OP did say a prepro, and that is what he is replacing. Does he mind using a receiver? That's a pretty nice rig he's got there. Anthem comes to mind, do they offer three d yet?
If it is a prepro, he is pretty limited with the 3d options. Jinjuku nailed it if that is indeed the case.

From the Anthem website it looks as if only their receivers do 3D. The Integra is awefully tempting: Audyssey XT32/Pro/DSX. Balanced outputs.

Not sure if Integra Electrical Engineers are dullards compared to the guys over at Anthem.

 

[yitb1007]

Thanks Gentleman I am going to start looking at all these products or at least looking into them. I have also considered purchasing another good used B&K ref 70. Then buying the Oppo DVD to cure my 3d problem. Any thoughts or am I just pissing money into the wind at that point? Even though I love how the B&K performed I hate to get hung with another peice of equipment from a defunct company.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Thanks Gentleman I am going to start looking at all these products or at least looking into them. I have also considered purchasing another good used B&K ref 70. Then buying the Oppo DVD to cure my 3d problem. Any thoughts or am I just pissing money into the wind at that point? Even though I love how the B&K performed I hate to get hung with another peice of equipment from a defunct company.

To get 3D you'd need to have all the components to hdmi 3d compatible.
That included 3d blueray player, hdmi ver 1.4 receiver (or pre-pro) and a 3d tv

 

[jinjuku]

Thanks Gentleman I am going to start looking at all these products or at least looking into them. I have also considered purchasing another good used B&K ref 70. Then buying the Oppo DVD to cure my 3d problem. Any thoughts or am I just pissing money into the wind at that point? Even though I love how the B&K performed I hate to get hung with another peice of equipment from a defunct company.

Personally I would just get the Integra given what you currently have. I doubt it's SQ would sit second seat to any other pre-pro out there regardless of price. Diminishing returns and all of that.

 

[adk highlander]

B&K has been purchased by ATI (a US company). If you really liked your B&K products you may want to give them a call and find out what they have coming out in the next few months. LINK

That being said the Integra at half your budget should give you all the features you need and several new features (Pandora, IP control) that you didn't even know you wanted.

 

[zumbo]

Marantz US | AV7005

Was this just overlooked?

1.4 3d? Yes
Stand-alone pre-amp? Yes
Fair price? Yes

I wish this piece was available when I purchased my Z7 as a pre-amp. It's the only option I am seeing that covers all request by the OP.

 

[jinjuku]

Was this just overlooked?

1.4 3d? Yes
Stand-alone pre-amp? Yes
Fair price? Yes

I wish this piece was available when I purchased my Z7 as a pre-amp. It's the only option I am seeing that covers all request by the OP.

The Integra has a few features that may make it worth the price disparity. Audyssey X32 and Pro, balanced outputs.

 

[adwilk]

Was this just overlooked?

1.4 3d? Yes
Stand-alone pre-amp? Yes
Fair price? Yes

I wish this piece was available when I purchased my Z7 as a pre-amp. It's the only option I am seeing that covers all request by the OP.

Dang it, Zumbo... we actually agree again. This is a really nice piece of gear.

 

[adwilk]

The Integra has a few features that may make it worth the price disparity. Audyssey X32 and Pro, balanced outputs.

The Marantz has balanced outputs... To be fair, I really like the Integra unit too...

 

[adk highlander]

The Integra has a few features that may make it worth the price disparity. Audyssey X32 and Pro, balanced outputs.

The AV7005 has balanced outputs. - Edit: Adam is faster today.

If I had it to do over again I would have looked more at the 4311 or made the jump to the Integra. I really would have liked to have the XT32.

 

[adwilk]

The AV7005 has balanced outputs. - Edit: Adam is faster today.

If I had it to do over again I would have looked more at the 4311 or made the jump to the Integra. I really would have liked to have the XT32.

Hmmm... Well, I'll give you 25 bucks for your AV7005 if you'll cover shipping. Then you can have it to do over again.

I am curious why XT32 is so enticing to you???? What are its real world advantages?

 

[zumbo]

The Integra has a few features that may make it worth the price disparity. Audyssey X32 and Pro, balanced outputs.

Marantz 1k less.

Marantz is available tax-free from authorized online dealers.

Marantz has Audyssey's MultEQ XT Auto Calibration.

Marantz has MultiEQ PRO, Audyssey DSX.

Marantz has balanced pre-outs.