Replace a/v receiver or add pre-amp ?

[jamesr]

Hi All,

My A/V receiver (and speakers) are over 12yrs old now and I am still reasonably happy with it all except for the lack of newer features available today.

Besides the lack of HDMI support on my receiver and the room eq features of new receivers, I think my Oppo effectively takes care of the rest in terms of decoding the newer audio formats, network features and apps, right ?

So I just wanted to get some opinions on whether adding a pre-amp (e.g. Outlaw Model 975 or Emotiva UMC-200 or other?) would be a worthwhile addition to the system ? Do these pre-amps offer better quality processing over the Oppo? Are there any other gains I will get?.... or I am best to save my money and buy the kids a new xbox for christmas rather than satisfying my urge for a new toy to play with!

My current system;
Panasonic VT-50 55"
Marantz SR-18 EX A/V Receiver
Oppo BDP-103
Kef Q65.2 fronts
Kef Model 100 Reference centre
Mirage FRx-R surround rears
Velodyne VLF-810 Sub

 

[ImcLoud]

You can probably get a avr that outperforms your current unit at a good price... DENON AVR-1713 5.1ch Networking Receiver w/AirPlay 3D Ready | Accessories4less

 

[Grador]

You can probably get a avr that outperforms your current unit at a good price... DENON AVR-1713 5.1ch Networking Receiver w/AirPlay 3D Ready | Accessories4less

The problem with this receiver and many others at this price point is that they lack multi-channel inputs. Without the multi channel in you're going to be disregarding the oppo's DAC.

 

[jamesr]

You can probably get a avr that outperforms your current unit at a good price... DENON AVR-1713 5.1ch Networking Receiver w/AirPlay 3D Ready | Accessories4less

The Marantz SR18EX was their reference amp at the time so (correct me if I am wrong) I would think that something like the Denon at this price point would definitely be a step down as an amplifier at least ? Review of the my amp (Marantz SR-18 Receiver Preview | Audioholics).

 

[markw]

Do you have access to just the power amps on your receiver? That's all you would be able to use if you get a new pre/pro.

A new pre/pro will replace everything ahead of that. Is that what you are shooting for?

 

[sholling]

I would just go with a good quality receiver like a Denon AVR-2313Ci or an equivalent model.

 

[zieglj01]

If you want to spend some money - then Marantz 5007
MARANTZ SR5007 100w x7 NetworkingTheater Receiver w/AirPlay 3D 4K | Accessories4less

 

[j_garcia]

The Marantz SR18EX was their reference amp at the time so (correct me if I am wrong) I would think that something like the Denon at this price point would definitely be a step down as an amplifier at least ? Review of the my amp (Marantz SR-18 Receiver Preview | Audioholics).

That was a long time ago though. You COULD use a preamp with that unit and use it as an amp I believe, because IIRC it has a main out/amp in function. Though if it is modern features you are looking for, you might as well just replace the whole thing and put that one to use in a secondary system. The 103 likely won't have better audio processing that something like the UMC-200 or Outlaw 975; the 105 definitely would though.

I recently replaced my Marantz 8300 (2 generations newer than the 18EX I believe) with the UMC-200 and I am very happy with it, however I already had amps that I was using with the 8300 due to 4 Ohm speakers. Now that I've moved to 8 Ohm speakers, I probably don't need as much power as before, but no reason to stop using the XPA-3