Receiver or Pre/Pro recommendations

[Lordoftherings]

Onkyo/Integra Performance & Value

The Onkyo 906 as your top choice is an excellent suggestion.
Also the Onkyo PRO PR-SC886P with Emotiva XPA-5 & XPA-2 combination amps, is also a very good choice. Plus the price is fantastic Performance & Value wise. You cannot go wrong. Also the Integra DHC-9.9 surround processor is worth considering highly, as well the AVR Integra DTR-9.9.

_________ Bob

 

[CraigV]

What about a Yamaha RX-V663 as a pre/pro – it would do all the processing you could ever want, and you could use it’s built in channels to amplify the rears (also has 2 sub outputs)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882115141&nm_mc=OTC-C173T&cm_mmc=OTC-C173T-_-Receivers-_-Yamaha-_-82115141

 

[nitin_mehra20]

How about the Yamaha 3900BL? The receiver seems to have all the bells and whistles

Plus, after discount this will lie within the 1200 range as mentioned.

Any comments on Yamaha vs Onkyo 906?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Besides Andrew, Adam and me.......

You know I bought the Emotiva MPS-2 and it worked great.

Of course, I only had it for a month before I sold it.

 

[jostenmeat]

i wouldn't use the 4ohm setting. Its essentially a power inhibitor. but thats just IMO

You DO realize that this thread is about finding a pre/pro? The OP will consider using a receiver acting as pre/pro. I use a receiver as pre/pro. I hope that clarifies.

though it's possible the OP may add a set of rear speakers in the future. Even if at 4 ohm setting, I wouldn't worry with 6th/7th channels as the only ones driven by the receiver. Especially with the class of receiver he's looking at.

 

[DocHolliday]

If you don't mind used, there's always the Integra 9.8 at that price point.
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homeproc&1240593976&/Integra-9.8

I just ordered the Denon 3808 but had I seen and Integra 9.8 for 1200 I would have probably grabbed that. I have read very good reviews on the Integra 8.8. I can only imagine the 9.8 is more of the same.

Doc

 

[bigred7078]

You DO realize that this thread is about finding a pre/pro? The OP will consider using a receiver acting as pre/pro. I use a receiver as pre/pro. I hope that clarifies.

though it's possible the OP may add a set of rear speakers in the future. Even if at 4 ohm setting, I wouldn't worry with 6th/7th channels as the only ones driven by the receiver. Especially with the class of receiver he's looking at.

???? Im confused lol. I know this is a thread about a pre/pro, but whats that have to do with the 8ohm/6ohm/4ohm settings on the onkyo? You just stated you put yours on the 4ohm setting, and thats for the onkyo's internal amps. I was just stating that its a power inhibitor for the onkyos amps so i would not recommend using it. If your using it as a pre/pro why even use that setting?

 

[Shock]

Besides Andrew, Adam and me.......

Yeah but if reading these forums have taught me anything, it's that you're all crazy.

 

[greggp2]

PDawg/Andrew and/or Adam,

I've seen in multiple threads that you guys were not happy with Emo products. I ordered an XPA-2 which arrived last week. I'm on my 30 day trial with this thing and all seems ok so far. Dawg, I've already taken your recommendation on new speaker cables. I know you refrained from posting your opinion on Emo here on the forum. Please PM me, one of you guys, and let me know your thoughts if you don't want to post them here.

I want to make the best decision possible while I still can return the XPA-2 if it isn't a good long term solution.

Thanks,

Gregg

Besides Andrew, Adam and me.......

I have an Emotiva XPA-2. It sounds great to me and I'm driving B&W 802's with it. Pretty much everything I read before buying Emotiva was positive. Most negative comments are from people who have never even owned the product and think because it is a bargain for the money, it must not be good.

As far as the UMC-1, a lot of people are gun shy on this product. It has been in pre-production testing for a long time and has been delayed several times. It is likely that Emotiva is trying to work out all the bugs. As of now, it is supposed to be out in March, but it may still be buggy. A lot of people here are holding off or buying other Pre/Pro's/Receivers to do their processing. Emotiva has great customer support though, so it may be worth getting if you don't mind having to do firmware upgrades as time goes on.

As far as an Amp though, they are solid and you can't really go wrong. They offer a 30 day trial on their product, so the worst case scenerio is you could always send it back if you were unhappy. I doubt you will be though....

 

[jostenmeat]

???? Im confused lol. I know this is a thread about a pre/pro, but whats that have to do with the 8ohm/6ohm/4ohm settings on the onkyo? You just stated you put yours on the 4ohm setting, and thats for the onkyo's internal amps. I was just stating that its a power inhibitor for the onkyos amps so i would not recommend using it. If your using it as a pre/pro why even use that setting?

Since a receiver acting as pre/pro is not using the amp section, the lower setting will reduce the maximum temperature of the unit. I *think* I read that the rail voltage drops something around 40w on my unit (can't quite recall exactly).

 

[bigred7078]

Since a receiver acting as pre/pro is not using the amp section, the lower setting will reduce the maximum temperature of the unit. I *think* I read that the rail voltage drops something around 40w on my unit (can't quite recall exactly).

doesnt really make sense because the internal amp section is not receiving any signal. I know receiver amps stay "on" when used as a pre/pro but when switched to the 4ohm setting it will not actually do anything since no power is sent to the internal amps.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Comments

How about the Yamaha 3900BL? The receiver seems to have all the bells and whistles

Plus, after discount this will lie within the 1200 range as mentioned.

Any comments on Yamaha vs Onkyo 906?

The Onkyo 906 over the Yamaha 3900 anytime of the week.
THX Ultra2+, Audyssey MultiEQ XT, huge toroidal power transformer, HQV Reon video processor, 55lbs vs 38lbs, Audyssey Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume,
4 power transformers total with separate Audio and Video power sections, plus another one for the display...

______ Bob

 

[jostenmeat]

doesnt really make sense because the internal amp section is not receiving any signal. I know receiver amps stay "on" when used as a pre/pro but when switched to the 4ohm setting it will not actually do anything since no power is sent to the internal amps.

At idle, the 805 uses roughly 95 watts at 4 ohm setting, and 135 watts at the 6 ohm setting. I don't know if that's the ONLY reason, but it is definitely affecting the very easily detectable and substantial drop in receiver temperature.

 

[bigred7078]

At idle, the 805 uses roughly 95 watts at 4 ohm setting, and 135 watts at the 6 ohm setting. I don't know if that's the ONLY reason, but it is definitely affecting the very easily detectable and substantial drop in receiver temperature.

gotcha, thanks for the info