Help with decision-making/thought process in buying receiver vs. pre-pro

[minimejdh]

I have been in the process of upgrading a 10-year old home theatre system.
My next purchase will be upgrading my processor or getting a receiver. I am not looking to buy soon but maybe by the end of the year. I want to do my homework and undertand what I am doing. I am a relative neophyte in my understanding. Any guidance and suggested readings would be appreciated.

Here is what I have:
Pioneer Elite FHD1 plasma TV (1080p)
Dish with HD capabilities
Velodyne LD-2 front L and R speakers (6 ohm, sensitivity 1 watt at 1 meter produces 88db- Is this the information you need? What is important here?)
Velodyne LD-3C Center Channel
2 Velodyne sub-woofers
Rock Solid rear speakers
PS3
Carver AV-505 5 channel power amp (80W/channel)
HK Signature 2.0 processor/tuner (only DD 5.1 capable)

I would like to have capabilities of handling Dolby TrueHD and DTS-MA HD in the future. The system is currenty in the Family Room which is decent size. We have been happy enough with the sound that is generated. In a few years we may be moving- so the room situation may be different. It would be nice to be able to drive 2-zones (watch TV in one room, listen to music in other).

Here are my questions:

1. What are the considerations in getting another pre-pro and keeping the Carver as my power amp?
2. If I wanted to drive a 2nd zone I would get another power amp?
3. Would I benefit from more power per channel? (realize this may be difficult question- so tell me what considerations are).
4. Would it be stupid to dump the Carver (not even sure if I could find someone to buy it) and get an AVR?
5. What are some of the considerations in getting separates vs. AVR anyway?

I'll stop here with appreciation for the responses in advance.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

You've got a prepro/amp setup, stay that way! That Carver amp is WAY WAY underated, and still good for more use. What you sound like is you need a new preamp-processor.

Integra just released a new beast:

http://www.integrahometheater.com/model.cfm?m=DTC-9.8&class=Separates&p=i

Outlaw Audio:

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/990.html

And if your able to wait until the end of the year like you said, Emotiva will have three new prepro's with cutting edge features. I can't wait

http://www.emotiva.com

All three companies are top notch, and have both receivers and prepro/amps. Even the receivers have preamp outs so hang onto that Carver Amp.

Good Luck and have fun

 

[minimejdh]

Prepro vs. receiver continued

You've got a prepro/amp setup, stay that way! That Carver amp is WAY WAY underated, and still good for more use. What you sound like is you need a new preamp-processor.


All three companies are top notch, and have both receivers and prepro/amps. Even the receivers have preamp outs so hang onto that Carver Amp.
Good Luck and have fun

You will see where I am at technologically w/ this question. So if I got a receiver and ran it through the Carver would you then get the power of both the receiver and the Carver? Would there be any reason to get a receiver vs. the prepro? I have to put the volume up pretty high to drive the speakers- but I don't feel the need to go louder w/ my current set up. Just not sure about the future.
Thanks.

 

[OttoMatic]

You will see where I am at technologically w/ this question. So if I got a receiver and ran it through the Carver would you then get the power of both the receiver and the Carver?

Nope, can't do that. If you get a receiver and use it in conjunction with the Carver amp, you'll essentially be using your new receiver as a pre/pro, ignoring its built-in amplifiers -- unless you want to use them to power something else.

Your considerations for getting a new pre/pro may will most likely be features. If you are only DD 5.1 right now, you're missing out on DTS and any 7.1 stuff (if you're interested; I personally have the equipment to do 7.1, but just stick at 5.1). I bought a pre/pro (the Outlaw 990 mentioned) just to get newer processing and especially DTS. I was previously using an old Denon receiver.

Would there be any reason to get a receiver vs. the prepro?

Currently, receivers seem to have more features. These big companies (Onkyo, Denon, Yamaha) simply have more resources (engineers, money to flush if HDMI didn't pan out for some weird reason, etc.) than do the smaller companies that would manufacture a quality pre/pro. So, while there are a few receivers out that support TrueHD audio processing via HDMI, there aren't a lot of receivers.

Of course, if you wish, you can have your HD-DVD player or BluRay player do the decoding and go with 5.1 or 7.1 into your preamp, rather than relying on the preamp to do the decoding via HDMI. I personally just "upgraded" my Outlaw to a preamp that has zero video switching and zero HDMI inputs. I got tired of the confusion, the HD/BD format war and everything else. I'll either go in analog, buy the companion video switcher/HDMI processor or buy a new preamp when the time comes.

I have to put the volume up pretty high to drive the speakers- but I don't feel the need to go louder w/ my current set up.

Turning the volume up is OK as long as you aren't clipping your amp and/or distorting your speakers, and it doesn't sound like you're complaining about that. If you're happy with your power and volume available, I'd probably stick with the amp you have.

Since you've already gone the separates route, I'd probably just stick that way; there's no good reason to go back to a receiver, unless you just want to get rid of one box. If you're at all interested in the Outlaw, I'm selling one here -- PM me and we'll work a deal!

 

[minimejdh]

Since you've already gone the separates route, I'd probably just stick that way; there's no good reason to go back to a receiver, unless you just want to get rid of one box. If you're at all interested in the Outlaw, I'm selling one -- PM me and we'll work a deal!

Thanks for your reply- gives me more to think about. I am not interested right now in the Outlaw.

 

[jostenmeat]

Thanks for your reply- gives me more to think about. I am not interested right now in the Outlaw.

Why not? Outlaw is known for great performance and value. Plus their warranty is fully transferrable. Good price, and seller is even willing to work something from there.

Maybe there is a more specific reason. What exactly are you looking for in either pre/pro or receiver?

 

[minimejdh]

Outlaw

Why not? Outlaw is known for great performance and value. Plus their warranty is fully transferrable. Good price, and seller is even willing to work something from there.

Maybe there is a more specific reason. What exactly are you looking for in either pre/pro or receiver?

Didn't want to spend the money right now. I am just at the beginning of investigating this whole thing and determining what it is I want. I just don't know yet.

So any thoughts on why I should consider this or what I need to be thinking about would be appreciated.
Thanks.