"High end" used or “nice” new pre amp? I am re-doing my system.

[Drsalee]

I am brand new on your forum.......Thank you in advance for welcoming me and giving advice.

I built a very nice dedicated home theater about 16 years ago and it has served my family well and we have spent thousands of hours enjoying it over the years. When I built it, I spent tons of time researching the best equipment to buy....and it has stood up over the test of time. A quick list of where I started:

Sony G90 projector
Faroujda line processor
Proceed PAD/PDSD
2 Proceed AMP5s
Snell Reference Towers Loudspeakers with 2 18” Snell subs

A couple of years ago one of my AMP5s crapped out on me and I hooked up a $100 Pioneer receiver I had laying around the house and a computer and have just been streaming movies and, admittedly, limping along. It is a bit ridiculous, but I have been busy and it worked.....to watch a movie.....here and there. Now I am ready to get things ramped up and back to previous glory.

I am starting with the sound. I brought the Amp5s to the shop to be repaired/serviced....those are worth hanging on to. The PAD/PDSD should be replaced. This brings me to my first question. The shop had a Mark Levinson No. 502 Media Console for sale....great unit in its day. I have also had my eye on the Marantz AV8802A. What is the collective wisdom on picking a super high-end...used preamp vs. a pretty nice NEW preamp?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I think the features are salient - HDMI, DTS-HD, Audyssey XT32 Dynamic EQ, 4K Video, etc.

Personally, if it had at least Audyssey XT DEQ, I could live with the HDMI v1.1 and regular DTS & DD since I don't care for 4K, 3D, and I can live w/o DTS-HD, DTS-X, TrueHD and ATMOS.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Welcome to AH.

You have a really nice theater room. How large is the screen? Consider updating the whole setup, minus speakers, to HD audio formats, maybe even Atmos, and at least the 1080p video if not 4K capable.

You need player, audio processor and amps, either from a good receiver or stand alone

 

[Drsalee]

Thanks for the input.

It is a 140” diagonal on the screen.

I have some nice amps.....I am having them repaired. Proceed AMP5. I have 2 of them.

As I am spending hours scouring the internet.....I am thinking of replacing my old friend...the Sony G90. The Epson LS10000 or the JVCRS600 have caught my attention.

What do you think of the Theta Casablanca ? Seems a bit pricey when a Marantz AV8802A looks pretty damn capable.

 

[TheWarrior]

Thanks for the input.

It is a 140” diagonal on the screen.

I have some nice amps.....I am having them repaired. Proceed AMP5. I have 2 of them.

As I am spending hours scouring the internet.....I am thinking of replacing my old friend...the Sony G90. The Epson LS10000 or the JVCRS600 have caught my attention.

What do you think of the Theta Casablanca ? Seems a bit pricey when a Marantz AV8802A looks pretty damn capable.

High end audio is full of traps. The Marantz, and very specifically the 8802A (the A was added for HDCP 2.2 compliance and all the Atmos 'gak') should be as much bleeding edge as you should really need for the foreseeable future.

JVC projectors are well regarded for good black levels, but I believe that Epson you sited is the new laser model. Seek auditions!

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

As I am spending hours scouring the internet.....I am thinking of replacing my old friend...the Sony G90. The Epson LS10000 or the JVCRS600 have caught my attention.

What do you think of the Theta Casablanca ? Seems a bit pricey when a Marantz AV8802A looks pretty damn capable.

The Epson LS10000 with 30,000 hrs of laser light source definitely gets my attention. I personally prefer something bright (good for big screens) with Laser or LED technology.

Theta Digital Casablanca definitely looks nice. BTW, Theta Digital is owned by ATI. But I don't think you need to spend that kind of money on items like Theta Digital or Mark Levinson to sound great because IMO the Marantz will sound at LEAST just as great.

 

[Drsalee]

The Epson LS10000 with 30,000 hrs of laser light source definitely gets my attention. I personally prefer something bright (good for big screens) with Laser or LED technology.

Theta Digital Casablanca definitely looks nice. BTW, Theta Digital is owned by ATI. But I don't think you need to spend that kind of money on items like Theta Digital or Mark Levinson to sound great because IMO the Marantz will sound at LEAST just as great.

 

[Drsalee]

I can find nothing overly negative about the Marantz, and the price point is hard to resist. I am definitely a movie-watcher-at-loud-volumes and not an audiophile. I am not opposed to coughing up cash for the best-of-the-best......but I think the Marantz better fits my needs.

I have a completely black room, so, brightness levels are easier to obtain. I have been running my Sony G90 and it looks fabulous and If I recall....it only kicks out 300 lumens. JVC vs Epson seems to be where I am with a projector.

Also, how difficult are these new projectors to dial in? When that G90 behemoth was installed(300lbs) it was definitely a professional job.....physically to get it on the ceiling and tuning it in. I am reasonable proficient and handy....is this something I can do?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I can find nothing overly negative about the Marantz, and the price point is hard to resist. I am definitely a movie-watcher-at-loud-volumes and not an audiophile. I am not opposed to coughing up cash for the best-of-the-best......but I think the Marantz better fits my needs.

I have a completely black room, so, brightness levels are easier to obtain. I have been running my Sony G90 and it looks fabulous and If I recall....it only kicks out 300 lumens. JVC vs Epson seems to be where I am with a projector.

Also, how difficult are these new projectors to dial in? When that G90 behemoth was installed(300lbs) it was definitely a professional job.....physically to get it on the ceiling and tuning it in. I am reasonable proficient and handy....is this something I can do?

300lbs and 300 Lumens?

The Epson LS10000 is about 40 LBS, 1500 Lumens and 30,000 HRS of light source life (eco mode).

 

[mtrycrafts]

I can find nothing overly negative about the Marantz, and the price point is hard to resist. I am definitely a movie-watcher-at-loud-volumes and not an audiophile. I am not opposed to coughing up cash for the best-of-the-best......but I think the Marantz better fits my needs.

I have a completely black room, so, brightness levels are easier to obtain. I have been running my Sony G90 and it looks fabulous and If I recall....it only kicks out 300 lumens. JVC vs Epson seems to be where I am with a projector.

Also, how difficult are these new projectors to dial in? When that G90 behemoth was installed(300lbs) it was definitely a professional job.....physically to get it on the ceiling and tuning it in. I am reasonable proficient and handy....is this something I can do?

I used to have a 100lb 3 lense crt projector before the modern era and took me an my two boys to get it up and down. Hard work overhead. My present projector is only 42 lbs, mush easier to handle with one helper.
You definitely need pro help to at least bring it down, unless you have a car motor lift

As to calibration, unless you have all the right calibration tools, I'd fork over for a pro calibrator. I used Jeff Meier twice:
http://www.homecinemaguru.com/author/wjeffmeier/
and of course he travels.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

My current BenQ W6000 is only 15 LBS.

 

[Cos]

I think you will find very little if anything on the Marantz AV8802A negative, because it is a solid unit, sounds fantastic and handles my Atmos, and soon to be DTS:X tracks like a champ.

Very happy with the unit, it is high quality.

 

[mtrycrafts]

My current BenQ W6000 is only 15 LBS.

Oh, yes, a lightweight.

 

[mtrycrafts]

... handles my Atmos, and soon to be DTS:X tracks like a champ.

Very happy with the unit, it is high quality.

I presume Marantz can update the software in it for DTS:X?

 

[Cos]

I presume Marantz can update the software in it for DTS:X?

I have already updated the software, I just haven't played around with DTS:X

 

[mtrycrafts]

I have already updated the software, I just haven't played around with DTS:X

Thanks. Now I need to check if the Oppo 103 can be updated by software on line. But, come to think of it, I would need a processor to handle them.