Receiver to use as pre/pro

[lsiberian]

Also, to effectively use the DCX, one will need a calibrated mic (Behringer EMC8000), phantom power for said mic (any will do), Room Eq Wizard or some other equivalent room analysis software, a laptop with outboard soundcard, and a lot of time and dedication to navigate the bumps and dips.

Phew, I am tired just thinking about it, but that said, I am saving my way to DCX integrated into a stereo rig that I am putting together.

Wish list,
Salk SongTower QWT
Emotiva Stereo preamp
Yamaha Pro Amp
Behringer DCX

You can use an SPL Meter and Excel to use the DCX 2496. REW is certainly not required either. Heck you could probably use the Auddsey MIC you may already have.

IOTW you don't have to buy all that additional stuff. Of course if you have a laptop and external sound card already then life is easier.

 

[Arjun]

Here's one more guy looking for advice. After years of trusty service my Acurus ACT3 finally bit the dust. I need a pre-pro or a receiver that I can use for the following set up.

Speakers:
RBH 1266SE/R (front tower; pair)
RBH 661 SE/R (center)
RBH 66 SE/R (surround; pair)
Axiom EP500 (subs; pair)

Amp: Parasound 5250 (5 channel amp, 250w per channel)

Transports:
Denon 2910 (DVD, SACD; coax audio connection)
Sonos (mp3; coax audio connection)
PS3 (optical audio connection)
Western Digital Media Player (coax audio connection)
Cable box (coax audio connection)

Right now, transports hook up to the TV directly via HDMI while audio connections are the the ACT3 pre-pro. I use the system a mainly to listen to music (rock/metal) with movies/gaming thrown in on weekends.

I'm looking for something that's high quality - budget isn't that big of an issue. I don't know if I should stick with dedicated pre-pros or get a receiver and bridge the fronts. I'm not technically savvy so something that works well out of the box would be a positive.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[Lordoftherings]

Thee one and only Onkyo Pro PR-SC886P Surround Processor.

* And the price is phenomenal too. (Check at Accessories4Less)

For reviews of this excellent pre-pro, just Google it.

 

[Arjun]

Thee one and only Onkyo Pro PR-SC886P Surround Processor.

* And the price is phenomenal too. (Check at Accessories4Less)

For reviews of this excellent pre-pro, just Google it.

Won't work for me as I have a 5.2 set up - I need 2 balanced sub outs.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Won't work for me as I have a 5.2 set up - I need 2 balanced sub outs.

Even if the pre-pro is a 7.1 system, you can use it as a 5.2 system (just use 5 channels instead of 7, and use a Y adaptor to add a second sub).

* Two balanced sub outputs? In a budget pre-pro? Good luck.

** But if money isn't a big concern, look at Anthem, Lexicon, or perhaps Theta Digital
Krell or Classe. Not sure about two balanced sub outputs though.
But I'm sure there must be one out there.
Or about a Y Balanced Adaptor for that second sub?
Or do you want Stereo subs? Left and Right sub channels?
Or about Stereo subs, plus separate LFE sub? That makes three Balanced Sub Channels!
Again, you might find one out there with this requisite.

*** Would you like me to search for you?

 

[Arjun]

Even if the pre-pro is a 7.1 system, you can use it as a 5.2 system (just use 5 channels instead of 7, and use a Y adaptor to add a second sub).

* Two balanced sub outputs? In a budget pre-pro? Good luck.

Interesting...the old ACT 3 had 2 balanced sub outs.

Could you recommend a pre-pro that has 2 balanced sub outs even if its not a budget system (I'm hoping I don't break the bank).

 

[Lordoftherings]

Interesting...the old ACT 3 had 2 balanced sub outs.

Could you recommend a pre-pro that has 2 balanced sub outs even if its not a budget system (I'm hoping I don't break the bank).

So, you do want me to search for you then.

First, is it essential that it has two balanced sub outs?
Second, do you have a maximum dollar figure?
Third, would you consider one of the best pre/pro money can buy, without
two balanced sub outs? Are your subs that far from your equipment?
Stupid question! It must be (your pre-pro probably goes behind a wall, perhaps in the rear of the room, far from your two subs in front).

))) Personally I'm a big fan of Anthem Statement D2v / ARC1 Surround Sound Pre/Pro
and Video Processor.

 

[Seth=L]

Won't work for me as I have a 5.2 set up - I need 2 balanced sub outs.

I'd suggest starting a new thread for your needs, as they don't fit this thread very well. You'll get a lot more applicable responses and probably more help in general in your own thread.

 

[Arjun]

I'd suggest starting a new thread for your needs, as they don't fit this thread very well. You'll get a lot more applicable responses and probably more help in general in your own thread.

Point taken - I will start a new thread.

Also, Lordoftherings - I know I need to search more and will need to do a bit more digging around to see if I can make a Y adapter work as the subs are really far apart and away from the rack.

To the OP - didn't mean to warp your thread.

 

[AVRat]

The newer Onkyo Pro PR-SC5507/Integra DHC-80.1 have the Dual XLR sub outs.

XLR split adapter cable:
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/audio/MSA1.htm
http://cgi.ebay.com/Canare-MR202-Balanced-Split-Y-Cable-XLR-to-Dual-XLR-1_W0QQitemZ370040082707QQcategoryZ23783QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZm263QQ_trkparmsZalgo=SIC&its=I&itu=UCI%2BIA%2BUA%2BFICS%2BUFI&otn=20&ps=50

 

[Lordoftherings]

And Anthem Pre/Pros, with two sub outs.

The newer Onkyo Pro PR-SC5507/Integra DHC-80.1 have the Dual XLR sub outs.

XLR split adapter cable:
http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/audio/MSA1.htm
http://cgi.ebay.com/Canare-MR202-Balanced-Split-Y-Cable-XLR-to-Dual-XLR-1_W0QQitemZ370040082707QQcategoryZ23783QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZm263QQ_trkparmsZalgo=SIC&its=I&itu=UCI%2BIA%2BUA%2BFICS%2BUFI&otn=20&ps=50

Excellent! This is a great find by AVRat.

Point taken - I will start a new thread.

Also, Lordoftherings - I know I need to search more and will need to do a bit more digging around to see if I can make a Y adapter work as the subs are really far apart and away from the rack.

To the OP - didn't mean to warp your thread.

Don't really need to start a new thread, AVRat has a great suggestion above.

Plus, there is also Anthem Statement D2v/ARC1, Anthem AVM50/ARC and
Anthem AVM40/ARC.
Or you can save some money, going without ARC (but why, it's a fantastic tool).
Anyway, here, for your own pleasure, and exactly what you're looking for:
Two XLR Balanced Subwoofer Outputs.

* Anthem Statement D2 Pre/Pro review
@ http://hometheatermag.com/preampprocessors/908ant/

* Anthem AVM40 Pre/Pro review
@ http://hometheatermag.com/preampprocessors/208anthem/

))) Hope this puts you on the right path...

Cheers,
Bob

 

[WmAx]

Excellent! This is a great find by AVRat.



Don't really need to start a new thread, AVRat has a great suggestion above.

Plus, there is also Anthem Statement D2v/ARC1, Anthem AVM50/ARC and
Anthem AVM40/ARC.
Or you can save some money, going without ARC (but why, it's a fantastic tool).
Anyway, here, for your own pleasure, and exactly what you're looking for:
Two XLR Balanced Subwoofer Outputs.

* Anthem Statement D2 Pre/Pro review
@ http://hometheatermag.com/preampprocessors/908ant/

* Anthem AVM40 Pre/Pro review
@ http://hometheatermag.com/preampprocessors/208anthem/

))) Hope this puts you on the right path...

Cheers,
Bob

Dual sub outs or not... you will still get far higher versatility and higher potential SQ by using pre outs directed to a DCX2496 or equivalent for all xover/EQ adjustments and then feeding the processed signal back to the amplifier stages.

-Chris

 

[Yamaheart]

I'd probably shoot for the Marantz. My RX-V3800 kicks out weird noise to the amplifier about 5 seconds after shutting the Yamaha off (an amplifier with a 12v trigger will keep this from happening). Unfortunately the amplifiers I've used lately both lacked a 12v trigger because of their age. Other than that the Yamaha works great and would work great with most amplifiers (if not all if you can get passed the minutely annoying noise that occurs for just a few seconds).

Hmm, that's strange Seth=L, after reading this. I tried that with my V-3800 and heard nothing. I even turn the volume to half and turn on the MX-1 Amp. Then turn the V-3800 off, and I did not hear a thing. Does it has to be running for a while to hear the noise?

 

[Lordoftherings]

Dual sub outs or not... you will still get far higher versatility and higher potential SQ by using pre outs directed to a DCX2496 or equivalent for all xover/EQ adjustments and then feeding the processed signal back to the amplifier stages.

-Chris

Hi Chris,

How are you? Nice to see you around.

* I don't have any doubt about what you're saying.

Cheers,
Bob

 

[Arjun]

Thanks for the responses guys. Is the Onkyo Pro PR-SC5507/Integra DHC-80 a Euro only model? The online manual from Onkyo's EU website shows a North American model, but there is no mention of it on the US website. Going through the manual, it looks like it has what I need.

Any preferred vendors on this site that carry this or could you recommend an online site that sells them? I'd probably buy it, and check it out at home (and probably send back it it didn't do the job).

Lordoftherings: that Anthem unit looks gorgeous, but is overkill compared to the Onkyo.

AVRat, Seth=L, WmAX: thanks for the sound advice.

 

[Seth=L]

Hmm, that's strange Seth=L, after reading this. I tried that with my V-3800 and heard nothing. I even turn the volume to half and turn on the MX-1 Amp. Then turn the V-3800 off, and I did not hear a thing. Does it has to be running for a while to hear the noise?

Does the MX-1 have a 12v trigger connected to it? Also, the noise is loudest when you turn the receiver on, then back off again before feeding it a signal.

 

[CraigV]

How about a used Yamaha 663 receiver? They are supposed to have really good D/A converters & preamp section.

 

[AVRat]

Unfortunately, the Onkyo Pro PR-SC5507/Integra DHC-80.1 haven't been released in the states yet.

 

[Yamaheart]

Does the MX-1 have a 12v trigger connected to it? Also, the noise is loudest when you turn the receiver on, then back off again before feeding it a signal.

The amp does not have 12v trigger, just cable from Yamaha pre-out to the Amp. I never heard anything like this(Knock on wood). The only thing I hear is really small hum when the volume over half to about 3/4. I tried what you told me again and there is absolutely silence. I 1st turn on the Amp (MX-1), then turn on the Receiver, then off again(before the Soleniod or whatever clicks inside the Receiver) I hear no noise. I did this again by turn on the Receiver and let it kicks in, then turn off and still nothing. When you mention about this problem, I was confused, I had this Receiver for 14 months now...

 

[Yamaheart]

Does the MX-1 have a 12v trigger connected to it? Also, the noise is loudest when you turn the receiver on, then back off again before feeding it a signal.

Or it could be the MX-1 is an amazing AMP and makes the noise in-audible?