Good used pre/pros

[Rip Van Woofer]

<font color='#000000'>Today I had the most promising job interview in a long time (I have been suffering a long period of &quot;involuntary leisure&quot;, relieved only by short temp assignments. Sucks big time.). While it may be premature, I naturally thought of what gear I can buy if they hire me! First thing I need to do is replace my ancient preamp with a pre/pro and start the transition to multichannel from stereo.

However, I am still a cheap b*****d, so I like to shop used when I can. Any ideas on good, late-model pre/pros that can be had used for under $1k (US)? I want an up-to-date feature set, including Pro Logic II. Or, should I just get something like the new Outlaw prepro? Looks like a heckuva deal at that price if the DAC's and processors are decent. The article here on the Outlaw and the other &quot;clones&quot; was encouraging. I don't know much 'bout this newfangled multichannel stuff, tho. Help the old guy.

The Master Plan is for a 5.1 (at least) music-only hi-rez system.

BTW, for those who will, quite reasonably, point out that there are many fine receivers at this price: the reason I want separates is that the Master Plan also calls for biamped speakers up front (I plan to build them myself) with active crossovers. And I just think separates are cool!  

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[Guest]

<font color='#000000'>Have you looked at Outlaw's website? &nbsp;(www.outlawaudio.com) &nbsp;
I've had their 950 for over a year now and really like it. &nbsp;Loads of movie processing options, bass management for DVD-A and SACD, multi-zone, etc. &nbsp;For my ears, it's hard to imagine any pre-pro being so good that it is worth 2 to 10 times more in price than the 950. &nbsp;Really good manual, great forum for discussing pro and cons of Outlaw equipment and absolutely outstanding customer service. &nbsp;I bought the 770 200 wpc 7-channel amp at the same time and don't feel I could come close to beating the value with any other pre-pro/amp combo.
Good luck on your interview and happy hunting.</font>

 

[Rip Van Woofer]

<font color='#000000'>Thanks. Yep, have seen the Outlaw site &amp; the pre/pro there. It's very much in the running. Their amps look mighty tempting, too, when that time comes. Just wondering if a more &quot;upmarket&quot; recent model used one would be worth considering and if so, which?</font>

 

[Guest]

<font color='#000000'>Can't help very much with used pre-pros. &nbsp;I don't think there are any in the $2.5k to $5.0k range new that you could get for the price you want to pay that are any better than a new 950. &nbsp;I seriously was considering spending $2.5k to $3.5k on either a new receiver or a pre-pro when I came across a write up on the 950 in Sound &amp; Vision. &nbsp;I started doing some investigating and based on everything I read, I couldn't justify the extra $$. &nbsp;And, so far, I'm glad I didn't. &nbsp;You could always try it for 30 days and, if don't like it, send it back. &nbsp;The nice thing you get with a new 950 is the 5 year warranty. &nbsp;I'm obviously pretty bias. &nbsp;I just haven't seen or read about anything that combines the features, quality, service and price the 950 does.</font>

 

[BroonsBane]

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Rip Van Woofer : <font color='#000000'>Today I had the most promising job interview in a long time (I have been suffering a long period of &quot;involuntary leisure&quot;, relieved only by short temp assignments. Sucks big time.). While it may be premature, I naturally thought of what gear I can buy if they hire me!</font>

<font color='#000000'>I hear you! I just found out this morning that I got the position I interviewed for last week after resigning from a long-held poisition last October. I've been going nuts without work. But...what's one of the first thoughts I have after getting that call?? SVS 16-46pci will soon be mine!!!</font>