$600-$800 HT preamp?

[jeffnebraska]

After a lot of consideration, I think I'm going to buy a relatively inexpensive preamp to tide me over until the HDMI 1.3, TruHD, DTS-HD situation is worked out, and I feel like taking the plunge into a $2000-$3000 preamp unit is relatively (i.e., temporarily) safe.

What I'm looking for now is the best preamp I can get in the high, low-fi range of $600 to $800. This will be 90/10 HT/Music. I'd rather not get a receiver and have the amps go to waste, but would do it if that is the best option. I'm happy to buy used from the right source.

One unit I'm currently eyeing is the Rotel RSP-1066. These are going right in my price range on eBay and Audiogon at this point.

Other suggestions I should be taking seriously?

The amp will be in the $2000 range, hopefully a Sherborun, but possibly an Anthem, Rotel or Parasound unit. My plan is to use the amp forever and just upgrade the preamp when the time is right (maybe a year from now).

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[zildjian]

Receivers generally have the latest features sooner than seperate preamp/processors do; so if the latest bells & whistles are important, a good receiver with preamp outs would be the way to go, a $400 or $500 Denon or Yamaha would be what I'd go with if I was planning on replacing the unit in a couple years.
If you want to avoid the receiver route like you said, Outlaw Audio has two prepro's now that look nice. The lesser priced one of those may be what you would want to hold you over till your future upgrade, but the receiver route, would probably be cheaper if cost is a factor.
Brad

 

[mike c]

I am in the same boat as you (90% HT) and Im gonna buy the Yamaha 2600.
why? the yammy has video upscaling, automatic calibration, hdmi connection, on screen menu, and a very reliable DTS, Dolby processor (hasnt failed me yet in older/cheaper models).

those who buy the Rotel Pre's do so because they have a bigger music to HT ratio. even with the amps in the Yamaha, used as paper weights, it is still more bang for the buck. btw, I am also gonna use external amps and not use the built in yamaha amps.

you can opt for the yamaha 1600 if you want to skip the hdmi upscaling feature if you have no need for it.

 

[jcPanny]

Pre-amp options

av123.com just started shipping the Emotiva Ultralite pre-amp. It should have great sound quality but a few less features than the newest receivers. It is only $500. Otherwise, look for a good deal on the new Yamaha.

Also, check out their "big dog" Emotiva MPS-1 7-channel amp. It is a fully balanced modular design with 200 Watts per channel @ 8 ohms and 300 @ 4 ohms. On special with a link from the secrets site for $1700. Check out the great review by AH.

 

[tomd51]

Some options...

I'm an avid proponent of using a solid mid-fi receiver with an external amp for use as a pre/pro. However, if you're dead set on a pre-amp instead of using a decent receiver as a pre-amp, OneCall currently has a Boston Acoustics AVP7 here that will come in just under your budget. In addtion to this, the pre/pro that jcPanny eluded to, the Emotiva Ultra-Lite LMC-1 can be seen here for a little more than $500, however they likely wouldn't be able to ship for a bit. Also the pre/pro zildjian mentioned from Outlaw Audio, the Model 970 can be seen here for a little over $700, all three of these being very good pre/pro options for this price range.

I honestly believe that a decent mid-fi receiver with a solid pre-amp section will perform just as good if not better than these at a few hundred dollars less. I'm currently using a Yamaha RX-V2500 in this manner and have use a Denon AVR-3803 as well, both great performers in this capacity. -TD

 

[mnnc]

After a lot of consideration, I think I'm going to buy a relatively inexpensive preamp to tide me over until the HDMI 1.3, TruHD, DTS-HD situation is worked out, and I feel like taking the plunge into a $2000-$3000 preamp unit is relatively (i.e., temporarily) safe.

What I'm looking for now is the best preamp I can get in the high, low-fi range of $600 to $800. This will be 90/10 HT/Music. I'd rather not get a receiver and have the amps go to waste, but would do it if that is the best option. I'm happy to buy used from the right source.

One unit I'm currently eyeing is the Rotel RSP-1066. These are going right in my price range on eBay and Audiogon at this point.

Other suggestions I should be taking seriously?

The amp will be in the $2000 range, hopefully a Sherborun, but possibly an Anthem, Rotel or Parasound unit. My plan is to use the amp forever and just upgrade the preamp when the time is right (maybe a year from now).

Thanks in advance for the help.

A Yamaha rx-v2500 would make a superb pre/pro and later can be used as a complete centerpiece for second room or bedroom!?

 

[muzakluver]

Hi.

I have the Outlaw 950. Bought it on eBay for $450. EXCELLENT value! If you want even better price perf in a temp system, get an Outlaw 1050 receiver and use it as your preamp. When your done you will have an excellent 2nd room unit. Power rating is low...but dont be deceived! And if you'll eventually run it with a sub - no worries. You can get a 1050 used for $300-$350 and you'd be hard pressed to tell it from something 3-4 times more expensive. I started with the 1050 as a receiver in my HT, then upgraded into amps and eventually replaced it with a used 950 while I'm waiting out the same specs war.

Cheers!

Mark