Budget Amps and Preamps Made in the USA

[dpattillo]

I filled out the contact form and asked for a price break. No reply yet.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I filled out the contact form and asked for a price break. No reply yet.

Doesn't hurt to try.

I just bought a set of metal handles & screws for my AT2004 last week too.

 

[dpattillo]

I got my mind set on the AT2002, but I'm on the fence about the processor. I'd like to buy American made if possible, but sinking $1000 into an AV preamp without HDMI and no modern features could be a risky investment. I can't seem to find any good reviews regarding the pre, only speculation. Right now I'm leaning more towards a Marantz pre. Anyone using an OPPO-105 directly to an amplifier? If I went with the Oppo could I connect a subwoofer? Ideas?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I got my mind set on the AT2002, but I'm on the fence about the processor. I'd like to buy American made if possible, but sinking $1000 into an AV preamp without HDMI and no modern features could be a risky investment. I can't seem to find any good reviews regarding the pre, only speculation. Right now I'm leaning more towards a Marantz pre. Anyone using an OPPO-105 directly to an amplifier? If I went with the Oppo could I connect a subwoofer? Ideas?

Yeah, I don't blame you. Those ATI pre-pros are more like ANALOG preamps than processors. If all you wanted were an analog 2.1 music setup, then the $600 ATP6700 would be great enough. But if you want a true processor (HDMI and all that), then it's better to get something else.

I would call Electronics Expo, Vanns, OneCall and see if they can sell you the Denon AVR-3312/3313 for $600/$800 respectively.

For pure 2.0/2.1 music, you don't need any Audyssey XT32 or any RC/EQ/DSP. You just need Pure Direct/ Direct modes. Actually, for 2.0/ 2.1 you probably don't even need an amp.

I use a Denon 3312 in my family room w/o any ext amps. The 3312 can drive my Philharmonic 3, Focal 826V, and Dynaudio X32 extremely well in Pure Direct 2.0/2.1. I actually let my AT2004 power the four Velodyne unpowered subs and let the Denon 3312 power the towers.

 

[dpattillo]

If a separate pre and high end amplifier aren't going to improve my 2.1 sound maybe I should just stick with my 10 year old Pioneer VSX-816 with 110w per channel. I can save the money for a 7.2 system with AVR for the living room and move my Tekton's and Pioneer to the music room. Was really hoping for a killer 2.1 setup but don't want to waste my money chasing smoke.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

maybe I should just stick with my 10 year old Pioneer VSX-816 with 110w per channel. I can save the money for a 7.2 system with AVR for the living room and move my Tekton's and Pioneer to the music room.

I think that would be a wiser choice.

 

[dpattillo]

I haven't been able to fit the ATI stuff in the budget just yet but I caught a Denon 3313ci on sale at Amazon for $799. Got it yesterday and hooked it up last night, calibrated audessy and watched some Hulu and it sounds awesome. It's a big improvement over my old Pioneer in sound and functionality. Now I can have a zone on my screened deck and my bedroom. Only thing I wished it did was mirror my iPhone screen when using Airplay, guess ill be dropping a bill on an Apple TV after all.

 

[dpattillo]

Yeah, I don't blame you. Those ATI pre-pros are more like ANALOG preamps than processors. If all you wanted were an analog 2.1 music setup, then the $600 ATP6700 would be great enough. But if you want a true processor (HDMI and all that), then it's better to get something else.

I would call Electronics Expo, Vanns, OneCall and see if they can sell you the Denon AVR-3312/3313 for $600/$800 respectively.

For pure 2.0/2.1 music, you don't need any Audyssey XT32 or any RC/EQ/DSP. You just need Pure Direct/ Direct modes. Actually, for 2.0/ 2.1 you probably don't even need an amp.

I use a Denon 3312 in my family room w/o any ext amps. The 3312 can drive my Philharmonic 3, Focal 826V, and Dynaudio X32 extremely well in Pure Direct 2.0/2.1. I actually let my AT2004 power the four Velodyne unpowered subs and let the Denon 3312 power the towers.

Four subwoofers! What! Do you mean in separate rooms?

 

[fuzz092888]

Four subwoofers! What! Do you mean in separate rooms?

No he does not. Those are just the subwoofers in that room. Then there's his other room

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Four subwoofers! What! Do you mean in separate rooms?

Yeah, the 4 Velodyne subs are all inconspicuously behind the 73" Mitsubishi TV in my family room.

That's nothing compared to some of these hardcore subwoofer guys, though.

 

[dpattillo]

Yeah, the 4 Velodyne subs are all inconspicuously behind the 73" Mitsubishi TV in my family room.

That's nothing compared to some of these hardcore subwoofer guys, though.

I've got one old powered vega sub that can blow the doors off and the windows out. I'm considering upgrading to a sealed SVS or Hsu for a harder punch and clarity. What's the benefit of having 4? Do you keep them all at a low volume to maintain balance?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I've got one old powered vega sub that can blow the doors off and the windows out. I'm considering upgrading to a sealed SVS or Hsu for a harder punch and clarity. What's the benefit of having 4? Do you keep them all at a low volume to maintain balance?

More output, better balance, looks better.

They are ported also.