AV pre's??

[engtaz]

I am wondering what people are using as their AV pre. Many of us are using external amps for our speakers so the AVR Receivers watts are not used any more. What AV pre's are recommended.

Thanks,
engtaz

 

[Cavediver]

I am wondering what people are using as their AV pre. Many of us are using external amps for our speakers so the AVR Receivers watts are not used any more. What AV pre's are recommended.

Thanks,
engtaz

The Integra 9.8 or Onkyo Pro 885 are some of the best available.

 

[Midcow2]

The new Marantz AV8003 Pre is excellent

You didn't say what you budget was, but usually when you are getting up to separate "Pres" you are talking high-end AVR.

I really like Marantz and the new preamp/processor is outstanding

http://us.marantz.com/Products/2317.asp

** NEW ** AV8003 Networking AV Preamp/Processor
$2599.99

Digital Media Player for Ethernet
- Audio, Video and Photo (supporting DLNA)
Video scaling and processing by Anchor Bay Technology
- Precision Video ScalerTM allows up to 1080p scaling
- Full 10bit Video Processing
HDMI V1.3a: 4-in/2-out
Dolby TrueHD, dts HD, Deep Color
DSD (SA-CD), Auto Lip Sync
XLR Pre Output Terminals for 7.1ch
XLR Audio Inputs for CD/SA-CD (Stereo)
Multi Zone Component Video Out
RC2001 Main Zone Remote(PC Programmable, Learning)
RC101 Sub Zone Remote(for Multi Zone Control, Learning)
HD Radio / XM Ready / Sirius Ready
THX ULTRA2 Certified
Copper Plated Chassis
Toroidal Power Transformer
New Clean Front Panel


Most AVR vendors have pretty high end integrated pre and amps now!

 

[engtaz]

The Integra 9.8 or Onkyo Pro 885 are some of the best available.

They look very very much they same things other then front panel.

engtaz

 

[engtaz]

I am familiar with the Onkyo, Intergra, and Marantz lines. What about other manufacturers.

engtaz

 

[bandphan]

What about other manufacturers.

engtaz

Anthem's two top models, avm50 & D2, provide excellent video processing and the ability to update internal components for future codecs and specs. Out of all the 4-7k products, including Krell and lexicon, those and the new denon are the mid-high groupo im looking at when they finish the remodel sometime in Jan 09. For me its gonna be about multizone, video quality, and tweakability. Without the need for any of these features, the mid-lower gear is more than acceptable for me.(pio, denon, yamm, ect..).

 

[audioman00]

ROTEL duh!

http://www.rotel.com/NA/products/index.htm?cat=25

 

[AVRat]

Sherwood Newcastle, B&K, Parasound, Sherbourn, Sunfire, ADA, ATI, Adcom, Cary, Classe, Emotiva, NAD, Outlaw to name a few more.

 

[jostenmeat]

I am wondering what people are using as their AV pre. Many of us are using external amps for our speakers so the AVR Receivers watts are not used any more. What AV pre's are recommended.

Thanks,
engtaz

Right now Im using a refurbed 805 as a pre.

You are right that the 885 = 9.8. Considered bang for buck feature set and performance. Perhaps the only complaint from a few is analog performance. Still, this combined with 2 ch pre is still cheaper than a lot of the competition. Runs warmer like Onkyo siblings.

Rotel: expect HDMI version in spring '09

Outlaw: expect it late fall. I read that Cirrus fell through, and they went with TI, but that forced a delay as they hit the drawing boards again recently.

NAD: does not have decoders for new formats, but will accept m-ch pcm (ps3 for instance). Audyssey curves are designed by Paul Barton. Modular design, but Im not sure if and when they will take advantage.

At the higher end, and assuming I had a lot more money... Id go with Denon AVP then hire a rocket scientist, mathematician, and philosopher to help me figure out how to set it all up.

 

[engtaz]

I have a Denon so I am use to that. LOL

engtaz