Pre/Pro versus seperates

[mitch57]

I am currently using the Denon 3805 as my Pre/Pro with a Rotel RMB-1095 power amp. I feel the Denon makes an outstanding Pre/Pro with lots of bells and whistles and fantastic sound quality. I hear alot of people say that going to a dedicated Pre/Pro will improve the sound significantly.

Is this really true when your using upper mid to high end receivers as a Pre/Pro? I could see a slight difference if I were upgrading to a very high end Pre/Pro in the 4 - 5K range. But is the difference really that noticeable/better in the 2 - 3K range in a dedicated Pre/Pro compared to the Denon 3805/4802 or other similar receiver?

 

[Az B]

The only real difference (other than the feature sets) will be the noise floor.

 

[Pete Dzwonkas]

Good combo?

What speakers are you using? I am interested in your set-up because I too have considered a Denon with the bells and whistles and adding a better sounding amp, like a Rotel. So I am curious if you have done a listening test with and w/o the Rotel. I plan on purchasing B&W 703's.

 

[toquemon]

Yes, the difference would be the noise floor, but a very low number (like -120db). The Denon already has like -100 db in the noisefloor, outstanding for a receiver. The only preamp i've seen that reaches the -120db in noisefloor is a McIntosh (i don't remember the model).

 

[mitch57]

That's kind of what I thought.

Pete,

Here's my setup.

Denon 3805 Receiver
Rotel RMB-1095 5 Channel Power Amp
Def Techs BP 7002s
Def Techs CLR 2500
Def Techs BP 2Xs
Integra DPC 8.5 DVD Changer
Sony KV-36FS17 CRT TV
Dish 510 DVR
Richard Gray RGPC 400 MK II (2 each).
Impact Acoustics interconnects
MX-500 remote control

The Rotel RMB-1095 was the last item I purchased. I had my speakers and the Denon for a couple of months before I bought the Rotel. The denon sounded great without the Rotel. But when I hooked up the Rotel things really came alive! Much better dynamically as well as more controlled with less strain at higher volumes. There also seems to be much less distortion at higher volumes.

I would definitely recommend adding a power amp with at least 150 Watts per channel. The Rotel is 200 Watts per channel. I chose the Rotel for a variety of reasons but size was the predominet deciding factor. My rack shelf won't accomodate the deeper amps because my shelves aren't deep enough. Plus Rotel has a pretty good reputation and you can't beat it for the price.

Here's a link to some pictures of my system if your interested.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5649

 

[Yamahaluver]

The Yamaha CX-1/CX-1000 and CX-630/830 pre amps all had a figure of -106dB IHF-A at 0.001% distortion but what was more impressive was the figure of -126dB from the MX-1000 power amp's main in making it among the quietest amps around. it also had a harmonic distortion figure of 0.003% at minimum RMS rating of 260W into 8 ohms at 20Hz to 20KHz.

 

[Pete Dzwonkas]

Thanks Mitch. I'm a pretty good shopper, but in case there's a better supplier, where did you purchase the Rotel? I can get it locally, but just checking.

 

[mitch57]

As far as I know you can only buy from an authorized dealer. And there are no Internet dealers. I bought mine through a Dealer in Seatte, WA called Definitive Audio.

 

[zumbo]

You can find Rotel here!

 

[Fuji S3]

Pre Pro Or reciever?

I am a newbie here so please let me know If this post is in the right place
I am looking to upgrade my current Preamp: Parasound AVC-1800.
I am unsure which way to go either a Denon 3805 as a pre amp only (don’t need the onboard amps) or a Used Parasound AVC 2500u (originally sold for $3500 a few years ago). I am torn between the Denon and the Parasound. I would love to have all the latest surround formats but I am afraid and unwilling to sacrifice any 2-channel quality. Does any one think the Denon can equal the Parasound in 2 channel?
Right now I use my system for 50% music 35% standard TV and 15% movies.
My primary concern is music. I use the dacs in the pre pro not in the cd players. You opinions comments are most welcome.

My current system consists of:

Preamp: Parasound AVC-1800 DD DTS 5.1, three 24bit 96khz Burr Brown dacs
Velodyne F-1500: 15 inch powered sub, low pass set to 80hz
2 channel amp: Chiro C-200 by Kinergetics Research running the mains full range and Bi Wired, Mirage OM-10's
6 channel amp bridged to 3: B&K AV 6.5.4. Running center and rear Mirage speakers. Hi pass crossover set to 80hz.
Sony DVD Sacd player, Sony ES 200 changer, HK FL 8350 5 disc,
Wired with Canare speaker cable and hand made rca's
Hand made power cords
Panamax line conditioner