PENG: I looked at some of the ASR reviews and measurements and although I understand how to read a graph, I haven’t studied these measurements so I don’t really know how to compare one unit to another, but I understand your point.
panteragstk: I was sort of considering the made in Japan Marantz PM8005 Integrated Amplifier & I found one for ~ $850.00. The PM8005 has the tone controls I’m looking for, but has a relative lack of inputs. I was planning on purchasing used equipment, which is no problem for me as long as it’s been taken care of, as you mentioned.
Regarding analog vs. digital, I place a premium on analog sound, but at the same time, I desire all the functionality and inputs that a digital processor affords. This includes the items that I listed in my original post.
Although I would certainly like to get a C45, the fact that I’d need to pair it w/ both an Amp such as the ATI AT1505 (or similar) and a digital processor is not very appealing to me (not to mention significantly more expensive) when I could simply do as AcuDefTechGuy advises and get a Yamaha CX-A5000 and an ATI amp, which would essentially meet all my requirements - the CX-A5000 has a plethora of inputs. Of course, such a system wouldn’t have the panache of a McIntosh system, but it would certainly be more cost-effective. Regarding the sound quality of the CX-A5000/AT1505 vs. the C45/AT1505, I do not know, but according to AcuDefTechGuy, any perceived differences would be quite minimal. AcuDefTechGuy’s advice differs from what I’ve read – that the sound quality of digital pre-amps/digital processors is inferior to a quality analog system, but I guess a good quality DAC would remedy that issue.
My original plan was to get a C45/MC7270, and although the C45 does not have digital decoding, I was advised that I could use the digital decoding that is built into a Oppo BDP-103 (for example), which has on-board 7.1 decoding. I could go into the menu and set the 7.1 outputs as variable, which would allow volume adjustment from the remote control. If I was to go this route, which is obviously more expensive, I could get a McIntosh C42, 45 or 46 & pair it with an ATI or, for example, one of the Rogue Audio integrated amps I found for under $2K (but the Rouges don’t have tone controls.) I also have an older Pioneer VSX receiver, which I currently use for both HT and 2-channel – perhaps that could handle the digital processing, though the VSX is quite old and is starting to exhibit some issues.
I think the most cost effective method to get that I’m looking for is to follow AcuDefTechGuy’s advice, though I’m not sure if the CX-A5000/AT1505 combo would sound great with my Heresy IIIs as I’ve read that Heresy IIIs sound great with both McIntosh & tubes and some SS amps can sound harsh with the Heresy IIIs.
Grandzoltar: Thanks, but as I stated above, I’m not real sure what these measurements mean.
M Code: I’m not sure that’s entirely true:
https://americanmadeaudio.com/product-category/preamplifiers/
AcuDefTechGuy: Thanks. I addressed your comments above in my reply to panteragstk. I agree with you regarding reliability, quality control, and customer support.
loveinthehd: Thanks. Odyssey and Cherry look interesting. I will look into both further.
