best pre-pro for under $2500????

[Porschetech]

i'm currently looking for another prepro to replace my anthem AVM30. aside from a later AVM50V or statement D2V, which i would love to own. (i can pick up the non 'V' versions for under $2500, but they only have hdmi 1.1) i can't justify paying such a high price just to have hdmi 1.3. so is there anything out there that is comparable to anthem's range? i'm looking to spend no more than $2500 for a used unit. any info would be greatly appreciated

also if i went for a unit with hdmi 1.1 would i get a lot of handshaking? all my components are 1.3a

 

[allEars]

what about the onkyo 886, I read some really good review on it. I had a chance to hear it action and I was impressed.

 

[TLS Guy]

i'm currently looking for another prepro to replace my anthem AVM30. aside from a later AVM50V or statement D2V, which i would love to own. (i can pick up the non 'V' versions for under $2500, but they only have hdmi 1.1) i can't justify paying such a high price just to have hdmi 1.3. so is there anything out there that is comparable to anthem's range? i'm looking to spend no more than $2500 for a used unit. any info would be greatly appreciated

also if i went for a unit with hdmi 1.1 would i get a lot of handshaking? all my components are 1.3a

I would recommend this Rotel RSP 1570, without reservation.

It will run you a little over budget, by about $250 at most dealers, but it is a solid unit and preferable to buying an out of date used unit.

 

[WmAx]

Yamaha RX-Z7. I use a RX-V2600 (the best audio performance ; earlier units had worse performance and so do later units - as the 2600 was the initial arrival of the new generation and subsequent models tried to save money). I don't use video through my main audio system though - so HDMI version does not matter to me. The Z7 is a no holds barred quality series and has the up to date video performance you desire. And it looks great, with a thick metal front and simple uncluttered front. And no need to get it used; you can get it new in the price range you have set.

I use the RX-V2600 as a pre-amp in a very high sound quality system and it performs absolutely transparent in this capacity. There is no reason the Z7 will not also perform transparently, but with the video capabilities you desire.

-Chris

 

[Porschetech]

hmmm......sounds like some solid choices here. i didn't think i would go to full hdmi usage, but when i did my remodel i didn't plan for more than 2 hdmi outlets in my wall. i have 3 components running hdmi (arcam dvd player, sony ps3 and xbox360). i really don't want to use a cheap hdmi switch as i want a purpose built unit with great video processing. sometimes when i watch a bluray i feel that i'm not getting the most from my sound as i'm using fibre optic and losing out on a couple of codecs. i don't want a receiver either as i'm running 5 monoblocks.

as for hdmi's.....where is it going to stop? some units are now already 1.3c and now there's talk of 1.4??? the old days of component connections were easier to deal with and stayed with us for a very long time

 

[WmAx]

hmmm......sounds like some solid choices here. i didn't think i would go to full hdmi usage, but when i did my remodel i didn't plan for more than 2 hdmi outlets in my wall. i have 3 components running hdmi (arcam dvd player, sony ps3 and xbox360). i really don't want to use a cheap hdmi switch as i want a purpose built unit with great video processing. sometimes when i watch a bluray i feel that i'm not getting the most from my sound as i'm using fibre optic and losing out on a couple of codecs. i don't want a receiver either as i'm running 5 monoblocks.

as for hdmi's.....where is it going to stop? some units are now already 1.3c and now there's talk of 1.4??? the old days of component connections were easier to deal with and stayed with us for a very long time

The Z7 may be a 'receiver' but it's also a 1st rate pre-amp and video processor. Nothing wrong with using it as a pre-amp. You just won't be using the built in amps. I use a high quality receiver as a pre-amp, and my speakers are far more resolving of audio than the vast majority of high end speakers, and I have extensive room acoustical treatments, so my room is also more resolving than most rooms.

-Chris

 

[njedpx3]

Another Pre-Pro to consider ...

Marantz AV8003 MSRP $2599.99

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

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)
RC101M 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
Available option Rack Mount Kit: RMK8003AV

Marantz makes excellent products!

Good Luck!

Forest Man

 

[Porschetech]

anybody familiar with the integra dhc 80.1?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=17363945

 

[adk highlander]

That is the latest version past the 9.8/9.9 units with the 9.1 PLIIz options. I have not seen a review of any kind yet.

 

[jostenmeat]

i'm currently looking for another prepro to replace my anthem AVM30. aside from a later AVM50V or statement D2V, which i would love to own. (i can pick up the non 'V' versions for under $2500, but they only have hdmi 1.1) i can't justify paying such a high price just to have hdmi 1.3. so is there anything out there that is comparable to anthem's range? i'm looking to spend no more than $2500 for a used unit. any info would be greatly appreciated

also if i went for a unit with hdmi 1.1 would i get a lot of handshaking? all my components are 1.3a

anybody familiar with the integra dhc 80.1?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=17363945

The D2v price isn't just for HDMI 1.3, it's for the ARC as well as the VP, with gamma control as well. The VP will be superior to anything listed in this thread so far, however, the value of this is becoming less and less, since gamma curve adjustments and better VP in general, even CMS, are being included more often in today's projectors. (But I sure could use it! )

Here is Warp's review with screenshots + explanation of ARC. As you can see, bandphan a custom installer said he hasn't worked with better as far as video. They also seem to have superb support at AVS, as well as being quite upgrade friendly in general (dyn eq, or arc, etc).

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55551


The main reasons to get Integra could be Pro Audyssey capability (do you care and/or are willing to spend more for pro cal?), DSX capabililty (are you considering either height or width channels?), and lower price.


I don't how patient or impatient you are, but it could be somewhat interesting to see what Outlaw and Emotiva will come up with, both of which fall under budget. The $2.5k mark for me is pretty much Integra for an HT/mch pre/pro. But the Anthems are freekin sweet.

 

[Amherst]

anybody familiar with the integra dhc 80.1?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=17363945

+1
Audyssey Pro and networking + 7 hdmi

 

[sokrman14]

Marantz AV8003 MSRP $2599.99

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

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)
RC101M 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
Available option Rack Mount Kit: RMK8003AV

Marantz makes excellent products!

Good Luck!

Forest Man

I agree with you, although Onkyo/Integra are good, Marantz is awesome. I would fully recommend this player as well. I am actually trying to find a way to afford this myself!!

 

[Porschetech]

hmmm........i think i've managed to work around my lack of hdmi's issue, without having to dump a ton of money on a new pre-pro. i bought a marantz hdmi switcher http://us.marantz.com/Products/2354.asp and to give me lossless audio/hd sound without hdmi's i bought another bluray player (my current ps3 doesn't have analoge inputs) http://www.listenup.com/Denon+DVD-3800BDCI+-Clearance--p-DVD3800BDCI-co-p-blu-ray.html

so i went to my local hifi retailer yesterday and learnt something new. i wasn't aware that hd sound could be achieved without hmdi connectivity. apparently using the analoge connectors will give me better sound than hdmi

 

[lsiberian]

hmmm........i think i've managed to work around my lack of hdmi's issue, without having to dump a ton of money on a new pre-pro. i bought a marantz hdmi switcher http://us.marantz.com/Products/2354.asp and to give me lossless audio/hd sound without hdmi's i bought another bluray player (my current ps3 doesn't have analoge inputs) http://www.listenup.com/Denon+DVD-3800BDCI+-Clearance--p-DVD3800BDCI-co-p-blu-ray.html

so i went to my local hifi retailer yesterday and learnt something new. i wasn't aware that hd sound could be achieved without hmdi connectivity. apparently using the analoge connectors will give me better sound than hdmi

Yeah you can use a blu-ray player with analog outs to acheive lossless audio, but you will only get 1 source into most A/V amps that way. The use of an Ambery Decoder combined with an HDMI switcher can be used for multiple cases.

 

[agarwalro]

The use of an Ambery Decoder combined with an HDMI switcher can be used for multiple cases.

This is definitely a good device for those running receivers older than HDMI 1.3.

I was wondering, how do the DACs in the Ambery compare to those in an AVR or players? In my specific case, I use the PS3 to do the decoding and send LPCM to my Denon. Would there be any improvement if I chose to use this and had the PS3 send out bitstream?

 

[JerryLove]

It seems, from my reading, that a lot of people took "under 2500" as "around 2500". You can get HDMI switching and DTS-master (and comparable) decoding for half that MSRP and just use it as a preamp.

It all depends on what features you use and what's valueable to you. You are now doing decoding in your bluray player. Great. That's definately an inexpensive option that should get you the sound you want from BluRay.

 

[Porschetech]

Yeah you can use a blu-ray player with analog outs to acheive lossless audio, but you will only get 1 source into most A/V amps that way. The use of an Ambery Decoder combined with an HDMI switcher can be used for multiple cases.

1 is all i need. my other sources will be digi coax and fibre optic. well great news so far. that marantz switcher works and looks amazing. just 2 more days and then i can setup my dedicated bluray player

 

[lsiberian]

This is definitely a good device for those running receivers older than HDMI 1.3.

I was wondering, how do the DACs in the Ambery compare to those in an AVR or players? In my specific case, I use the PS3 to do the decoding and send LPCM to my Denon. Would there be any improvement if I chose to use this and had the PS3 send out bitstream?

I doubt you would get an improvement over the PS3

 

[zeuiax]

I came here to say Anthem D2 :facepalm:. Anferny get a FMJ AV888

 

[Porschetech]

I came here to say Anthem D2 :facepalm:. Anferny get a FMJ AV888

:rofl:.......yeah right. i think a nice used D2 would do me nicely.