How much of a downgrade is this going to be?

[DaveHo]

Currently using an Outlaw 990. Thinking of selling it & picking up an Onkyo 805 to tide me over 'til more HDMI pre/pros are available. If I use the Onkyo strickly as a processor, what am I giving up sound quality wise?

 

[bandphan]

what exactly are you looking to accomplish?

 

[DaveHo]

Support of the new audio codecs for BD while not giving up too much on the SACD/DVD-A/Redbook side. The 7 channel input on my 990 is currently being used for SACD/DVD-A/Redbook playback from my Denon 2900. I know I could use some kind of switcher, but that's not appealing to me, plus there really isn't an affordable BD machine with 7.1 analog outs anyway.

-Dave

 

[bandphan]

I dont think you will loose ANY sound quality. If your just going use it as a pre, why not look at the yamaha 663?

 

[fmw]

I would say downgrade is probably the wrong term. If you used no EQ with either unit, there is no reason think they would sound any different. If you use the EQ and setup routine, then there is no telling what sound you will get from the new unit until after it has completed.

 

[sharkman]

Usually the specs of a pre/pro are superior to that of a receiver, but it may be hard to hear the difference.

Have you considered the Onkyo 885 pre/pro? Or the sister Integra 9.8? If you add the cost of an Onkyo 805 and a later pre/pro, it might be cheaper to just get the 885 now.

 

[fmw]

Usually the specs of a pre/pro are superior to that of a receiver, but it may be hard to hear the difference.

I'll be darned. News to me.

 

[Midcow2]

Why downgrade?

If you want a great pre-pro with HDMI why not get a MX-120 or a MX-136

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/1096.asp MX-120

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/1078.asp MX-136

Both have 4 HDMI inputs!

 

[jostenmeat]

Currently using an Outlaw 990. Thinking of selling it & picking up an Onkyo 805 to tide me over 'til more HDMI pre/pros are available. If I use the Onkyo strickly as a processor, what am I giving up sound quality wise?

I sort of had the same situation. I was using a NAD pre, but wanted HDMI + decoders (my bdp only bitstreams). I got the 805 as refurbished (informed of a refurbished deal here at this forum, prez day sale thru onkyo shop) and it was barely more than the 705 at the time. I figured for the same money, get the "better" DAC set, ultra 2, better resale value primarily due to the amp. I would have loved to get the Integra 9.8, etc, but I convinced myself not to. Also, I don't really need balanced outputs, double hdmi outputs, nor the video scalers.

I don't know what the price diff is now, but see what the 705 costs. Or, what about the Yamaha 663?

the 805 runs pretty warm, even as a pre. I hope you have adequate ventilation. I do not use this pre at all for music, and so have nothing to say there. Its only for movies.

edit: ... oooohh.... im a SENIOR audioholic now... heh

 

[DaveHo]

If you want a great pre-pro with HDMI why not get a MX-120 or a MX-136

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/1096.asp MX-120

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/1078.asp MX-136

Both have 4 HDMI inputs!

I need the HDMI for decoding of the latest formats, not just switching. Neither of those look to have the latest codecs. Plus, I'm going to venture a guess that they are wee bit out of my price range.

Alright, from what I have been able to gather, the 805 pretty much stinks if you are feeding it an analog signal. Same can be said for the Integra 9.8/Onkyo 885. I also have an Oppo 980 I could use for SACD/DVD-A playback. I know it has been reported that the Integra 9.8 is really nice for SACD/DVD-A over HDMI. Can the same be said for the 805? How are the 805 DACs for 2 channel? I'm not dead set on using my Denon 2900 if I can get the same performance from the Oppo via HDMI.

I was thinking I could sell my Outlaw 990 for about what the 805 would cost me. Now that the Outlaw's have slashed the price on 990's again, I doubt that's the case. I have no problem coughing up the cost for the Integra 9.8, but it's reported poor analog performance makes me want to wait & see what my choices in the under 2K range are in 6-9 months.

Regarding the Yamaha 663. Does it really compete with the Onkyo 805? I'm having a hard time believing they are on the same playing field.

Thanks for the input guys.

-Dave

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I dont think you will loose ANY sound quality. If your just going use it as a pre, why not look at the yamaha 663?

Agreed. Not a downgrade at all.

 

[DaveHo]

I have had many preamps & processors over the years. The Outlaw, while not the best I've had, is a very nice sounding processor for 2 channel. I have no doubt that I would be satisfied with any of these receivers for movie soundtracks, but I'm much more critical of music reproduction.

Anyway, I've been doing some more research on the Yamaha 663. Looks like it can't handle DSD or multi-channel PCM over HDMI, correct? Thinking about giving it a try since I can pick one up @ Best Buy & return it if I don't like it.

 

[jostenmeat]

Please research 2-channel pre's with HT bypass.

You want one with unity gain that does not need to be turned on during HT use. Use it with HT pre of choice. Voila.

 

[PENG]

Anyway, I've been doing some more research on the Yamaha 663. Looks like it can't handle DSD or multi-channel PCM over HDMI, correct? Thinking about giving it a try since I can pick one up @ Best Buy & return it if I don't like it.

I think you are incorrect. From what I read, the 663 has HDMI 1.3 so it can handle not only mult-channel PCM but also bit stream.

 

[jamie2112]

I think you are incorrect. From what I read, the 663 has HDMI 1.3 so it can handle not only mult-channel PCM but also bit stream.

You are correct for sure.....