Pre-Pro Duty Pioneer vs Marantz

[Gov]

I am currently using a Pioneer VSX-1014TK as a pre/pro. Marantz has a very good reputation for sound quality especially music. I am thinking of picking up a refurb Marantz SR5001 to replace the Pioneer. Do you think the Marantz would be a better pre/pro than the Pioneer?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Are you looking for surround sound or two channel? The Integra is rated as about the best pre/pro out there and is inexpensive.

 

[zumbo]

I would only upgraded a receiver/pre-pro if the one I had was lacking newer features that I was ready to take advantage of.

I upgrade my dvd player to a Marantz BR player to take advantage of the new audio formats. I can use the 7.1 analog-outs for the new audio, as the player will decode the formats. So, I will continue to use my current receiver as a pre-pro for now.

 

[Gov]

Are you looking for surround sound or two channel? The Integra is rated as about the best pre/pro out there and is inexpensive.

Surround sound 5.1. Which model Integra? Why is it rated the best?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Take a look at this. There are a lot of great reviews on it.
http://hometheatermag.com/preampprocessors/508integra/

 

[Biggiesized]

Or this...

http://www.integrahometheater.com/model.cfm?class=Separates&m=DHC-9.9&p=i

 

[jostenmeat]

Surround sound 5.1. Which model Integra? Why is it rated the best?

Because the 9.x have serious feature sets at a fraction of the cost of other brands' pre's. And a lot of these pre's don't even have this good of a feature set. Will this be as nice as the Denon AVP? Surely not, but you're only paying 1/4 the price.

You did say music. The one complaint is performance via analog connections. Music via "digital streams" is said to be great. Now, not everyone complained about the analog performance, but if there was only one complaint, this might be it.

Oh, Integras run warmer like their Onkyo cousins. Big deal.

parting shot: maybe the dood I look up to most for audio at another forum thinks that these would sell a lot more if they increased their price significantly.



edit: but do you need the feature set? I didn't, and that's why Im using an Onkyo receiver as a pre. Didn't need Reon HQV, Audyssey Pro capability, balanced XLRs, dual HDMI outs, etc.

 

[Gov]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I think I will continue to use my LPA-1 and get a Denon 2809 to use as a pre/pro when the price comes down. Audyssey, Audyssey Dynamic Volume and EQ are all of great interest to me. As for video processing, I don't need it right now.
The new Emo UMC-1 sounds good as well, but I wonder how the their EQ system will compare to Audyssey.
So the 2809 or UMC-1 will probably be the right choices for me.

 

[jostenmeat]

You understand what Dyn volume is, yes?

I don't want to speak on anyone else's behalf, but really... how many audioholics here do you think prefer to use ANY dynamic compression?

As for Audyssey Multi EQ, even the Onkyo 705 has that. Ok, the 2809 does too, nice.

How many audioholics have gone to the extent of the Pro version?

I think I remember one person, and that was probably from last year.


edit: 2809 seems pretty nice for you.

edit#2, holy crap, 2809 is a lot right now. sheesh.

 

[Gov]

Yes I understand what dynamic volume is. No, I would not use it at all except when the kids are in bed and I am watching Saving Private Ryan in DTS Plus its kinda cool that commercials on cable will not blast use out of the room.

What do you think of Audyssey? I am hoping its better than MCACC on my VSX-1014TK.

Maybe I should get the ARV-2808. It is very cheap these days.

 

[dssmith999]

I have tested Audyssey and AutoMMAC and they can enhance dialog but there seems to be a richness of the sound that is not there when it is engages. Same thing with the bass crossover, I do have bass capable speakers so the bass loss should be minimal. The DD volume is attractive to TV watching but for movies I would not use. Have you tryed LMC1 as they seem to be a good deal used and would match the LPA1.

 

[Gov]

I would agree that even with my 5 band MCACC, when "all channel adjust" is engaged, it tends to sound a bit muffled or masked in a way. With "front align" the dialog sounds a bit better at higher SPL's. Most of the time, I leave it off.
SO Audyssey, is similar huh?
I thought about a LMC-1, but would it be better than my Pioneer? Sound quality wise.