Pre/pro vs. pre and pro

[ivseenbetter]

I'm leaning towards seperates but I have hardly any real audio background. What I want to know is what the difference is between a Pre/pro combo or seperate pre and pro? What are the advantages or disadvantages of each? Also, if I was to get a seperate pre amp, what are things I should look for?

 

[j_garcia]

Separates would generally be a pre/pro and a separate amp vs a receiver that has both in one unit. It is not common to see a separates broken down to preamp, processor and amp. What's your price range? Do you have speakers already?

 

[ivseenbetter]

I don't have speakers yet. I am posted in the general area before with what I was trying to do. I know I need to start with speakers and my budget for the entire system is between 3k and 6k. I have about 6 months before I start buying and I just want to build a good basic knowledge of all the pieces so I can start to make the right decisions so I will be ready to by when the time comes. I don't want to be one of those guys who just shows up for a week and says "I have some money, what should I buy?"

 

[Ax-man]

I don't have speakers yet. I am posted in the general area before with what I was trying to do. I know I need to start with speakers and my budget for the entire system is between 3k and 6k. I have about 6 months before I start buying and I just want to build a good basic knowledge of all the pieces so I can start to make the right decisions so I will be ready to by when the time comes. I don't want to be one of those guys who just shows up for a week and says "I have some money, what should I buy?"

iveseen, if it were *me*, I believe I would first focus on the speakers primarily and then go from there. Here's an article you may enjoy written by Axiom's Alan Lofft regarding separates ... Going The Separates Route

 

[gene]

Most mid priced receivers will serve as a pre/pro better (ie better processing, video switching, etc) than dedicated pre/pros costing upwards of $3k. You may look into using a $1500 receiver as a pre/pro and buying an external 2 or 5 channel amp for the other channels (if the extra power is really needed) while using the receivers internal amps to power the back channels and distributed audio.

 

[Ax-man]

Most mid priced receivers will serve as a pre/pro better (ie better processing, video switching, etc) than dedicated pre/pros costing upwards of $3k. You may look into using a $1500 receiver as a pre/pro and buying an external 2 or 5 channel amp for the other channels (if the extra power is really needed) while using the receivers internal amps to power the back channels and distributed audio.

Gene, that is exactly what I do....I have a 2 ch Rotel RB-1080 amp pre-outed from an HK AVR 635 driving my 4 ohm Axiom M80s (mains) and am using the 635 for processing and running the remainder of the surround speakers.

Works great.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I'm leaning towards seperates but I have hardly any real audio background.

What are you after? Do you now have an audio system? What are you planning to accomplish with a system?

 

[ivseenbetter]

What are you after? Do you now have an audio system? What are you planning to accomplish with a system?

Well, I am looking to build a good HT/Music system. I watch 65% TV/ 20% Movies/ 15% Music and I have an old sony 5 speaker surround system that I purchased back in 97. I plan on getting rid of it and doing a proper home theater system but something that is really musical as well. I really don't have a very good background in building a system since the system I have now was my first and I just ran out and bought whatever. This time I want to do it the proper way and make an informed purchase.

I still have six months before I make a purchase...but, since people need to know what speakers I would be driving I will make a guess at what I would probably get. If I had to purchase today I would probably purchase the Axiom Epic 80 600 package. Can anybody think of a system that has more bang for the buck than that one because everything I have read says this system is the best you can get in the price range.

 

[pearsall001]

It depends on what goal you have in mind. If your main interest is pretty much HT than I agree you can get away w/ a do-all receiver until it's processor becomes obsolete. However if your position changes & you're looking for a really good 2 channel system along with HT than you have to delve into the world of separates. I don't care what anybody says a receiver just can't compete w/ separates IMO. Everything cramed into one chassis, something has to give somewhere. Just having demanding speakers might be enough to make you consider a separate amp. Then everything starts to snowball once you get a taste of what separates bring to the table. Define your listening goals & build your system accordingly. With the budget you have I wouldn't even consider a receiver. Just remember that an amp & preamp will serve you well for years to come. The way technology changes especially on the processing end your stuck w/ the receiver & it's now outdated processor. Running separates all you have to do is purchase a new up to date processor to run w/ your existing amp & preamp.

 

[ivseenbetter]

It depends on what goal you have in mind. If your main interest is pretty much HT than I agree you can get away w/ a do-all receiver until it's processor becomes obsolete. However if your position changes & you're looking for a really good 2 channel system along with HT than you have to delve into the world of separates. I don't care what anybody says a receiver just can't compete w/ separates IMO. Everything cramed into one chassis, something has to give somewhere. Just having demanding speakers might be enough to make you consider a separate amp. Then everything starts to snowball once you get a taste of what separates bring to the table. Define your listening goals & build your system accordingly. With the budget you have I wouldn't even consider a receiver. Just remember that an amp & preamp will serve you well for years to come. The way technology changes especially on the processing end your stuck w/ the receiver & it's now outdated processor. Running separates all you have to do is purchase a new up to date processor to run w/ your existing amp & preamp.

That was another thing that I agree with the logic on. I really like the idea of only upgrading the processor as things change. How often do preamp and amp technology really improve those parts? From what I can tell they don't really improve much over time so those pieces would be good for awhile. Also, it seems like most items have a decent resale value so I would easily be able to sell things and apply the money to new items as I upgrade over time.