Pre/Pro ideas

[JaBear]

I'm looking to build some separates, I'm in the process of buying the emotiva XPA-5, however I haven't been able to find a good pre/pro for the money. The UMC-1 seems like it has way to many bugs to really be worth my time or effort. I really like the Onkyo 5508, it seems to have everything especially in the video area with HQV and ISF. The Marntz 7005 seems to be a great product but the video processing doesn't seem to come close to the Onkyo. Lastly how important are the XLR inputs if I'm just going to have the unit right on top of each other. If that is the case couldn't I get away using Onkyo 3008, which can be had for around 1200 or Denon 4311, which can be had for around 1100.

 

[InTheIndustry]

I'm looking to build some separates, I'm in the process of buying the emotiva XPA-5, however I haven't been able to find a good pre/pro for the money. The UMC-1 seems like it has way to many bugs to really be worth my time or effort. I really like the Onkyo 5508, it seems to have everything especially in the video area with HQV and ISF. The Marntz 7005 seems to be a great product but the video processing doesn't seem to come close to the Onkyo. Lastly how important are the XLR inputs if I'm just going to have the unit right on top of each other. If that is the case couldn't I get away using Onkyo 3008, which can be had for around 1200 or Denon 4311, which can be had for around 1100.

I would do the Denon out of the brands/models you listed. It's the better product out of the 3 and probably the best Pre-amp on the market (at the least it shares company with very few others).

On another note:
Where are you seeing THIS at? That's below dealer cost! Heck, if I can find them for that I'll go to that source rather than Denon directly.

However, * cue the Storm Trooper march * April 1st, Denon is requiring ALL dealers to sign a dealer agreement stating that they are NOT allowed to post pricing below Denon's MAP. This is going to be a legally binding agreement and Denon will either sue (prob if the offender/offense is large enough) or (more than likely) cutoff the seller and potentially the distributor who sold to them. I have been told that they are 100% committed to this and that it's a very serious change for them.

This has silently been happening all over the industry for a few years. Online chop shops cause manufacturers soooooo many problems it's impossible for them to service the end user properly. This is for a variety of reasons, many of which have nothing to do with the price an end user pays.

- Epson has recently cut off a guy who was undercutting their projectors online and violating their dealer agreement. They not only refuse to sell him direct, but they have alerted every distributor they sell to his buying habits (even the big box shops). If someone is caught selling to him Epson will pull the line regardless of the account. And this guy aparently did over $1,000,000 in Epson products (not including accessories that he sold to go with them) last year and had a ton more orders coming in. His business is virtually destroyed now. Epson values their integrity and I think that Denon is going to be taking a similar stance.

A great many other companies do this and work hard to police their brands. Some even implement secret measures of ways to track their products so that they can find the original reseller who basically acts as a "fence". My advice to you, if you decide to go with it, would be to buy the Denon for $1100 before April 1st.

 

[zumbo]

At that price, 4311.

For $1500, Z7.

 

[ZeGhostbear]

I hooked up my XPA-5 to a 5508. Wanted a true pre-pro although I was considering the same four units you are now. All four are great products, so it comes down to your personal preferences. Posted a short review in this thread.

 

[InTheIndustry]

At that price, 4311.

For $1500, Z7.

Why do you feel the Z7 would be the better product, Z?

Thanks!

 

[JaBear]

I would do the Denon out of the brands/models you listed. It's the better product out of the 3 and probably the best Pre-amp on the market (at the least it shares company with very few others).

On another note:
Where are you seeing THIS at? That's below dealer cost! Heck, if I can find them for that I'll go to that source rather than Denon directly.

However, * cue the Storm Trooper march * April 1st, Denon is requiring ALL dealers to sign a dealer agreement stating that they are NOT allowed to post pricing below Denon's MAP. This is going to be a legally binding agreement and Denon will either sue (prob if the offender/offense is large enough) or (more than likely) cutoff the seller and potentially the distributor who sold to them. I have been told that they are 100% committed to this and that it's a very serious change for them.

This has silently been happening all over the industry for a few years. Online chop shops cause manufacturers soooooo many problems it's impossible for them to service the end user properly. This is for a variety of reasons, many of which have nothing to do with the price an end user pays.

- Epson has recently cut off a guy who was undercutting their projectors online and violating their dealer agreement. They not only refuse to sell him direct, but they have alerted every distributor they sell to his buying habits (even the big box shops). If someone is caught selling to him Epson will pull the line regardless of the account. And this guy aparently did over $1,000,000 in Epson products (not including accessories that he sold to go with them) last year and had a ton more orders coming in. His business is virtually destroyed now. Epson values their integrity and I think that Denon is going to be taking a similar stance.

A great many other companies do this and work hard to police their brands. Some even implement secret measures of ways to track their products so that they can find the original reseller who basically acts as a "fence". My advice to you, if you decide to go with it, would be to buy the Denon for $1100 before April 1st.

well the place that I work at I can get the 4311 all the way at 600 and would be far away the cheapest of all my options, I just feel it's a waste to buy a AVR when all I really want is a pre/pro and especially when I bought the xpa-5 which has the balanced inputs, which might not matter today since it being right under the unit but one day I might upgrade to xpa-1 and place those near the speakers and then distance might play a role. Money isn't a huge issue it getting to done right that is more important I don't want to jimmy rig my system you know. Guess it really boils down to how important the balanced audio is because the mono block on the 4311 can be turned off.

 

[PENG]

Those balanced I/Os really don't get you anything other than lower induced noise due to long cable runs. If you can keep the interconnects shorter than 6 to 8 feet you may get the same or even better results using unbalanced I/Os.

 

[zumbo]

Why do you feel the Z7 would be the better product, Z?

Thanks!

Didn't say better. I said I would get the 4311 for the price OP listed, if that is the real price.

At, or under $1500, I would get the Z7.

I can't even find the 4311 for $1500. You dig.

 

[AVRat]

I know you can from Electronics Expo.