Upgrade to Amp/Pre

[Hipgrncln]

Looking to upgrade my HK 7000 to a Amp/Pre in the 2 to 3 k range. Have looked at Outlaw but need input on other brands to consider. Maybe used or B stock. Running Martin Logan Aeoni and center Cinema with Sonus fabers in the rear. HELP!!!!!

Bob J

 

[RLA]

Hi
My advice is to stay away from any preamp that uses the CS494xx series
dsp This includes Outlaw,Rotel,Sherwood Newcastle and others
You may want to look at B&K,Parasound and Anthem
You may also want to keep in mind that CEDIA is right around the corner and
there will be new products shown and announced there

 

[Rip Van Woofer]

Hi
My advice is to stay away from any preamp that uses the CS494xx series
dsp This includes Outlaw,Rotel,Sherwood Newcastle and others

Why? Not being a smarta**; just want to know what the shortcomings are since I was looking at the Outlaw myself. I know that the devil is in the details when it comes to DSP and that there are better and worse implementations -- but I'm still in the analog time warp & ignorant of the details.

 

[Rob Babcock]

I've heard nothing but good about the brand new Sherwood prepro, although I don't know what DSP it uses. I haven't had a chance to hear it, but I was told by one pretty knowledgeable guy that it's pretty much *high end* even in stereo. It sure has a very nice feature set with lots of inputs.

I'd probably avoid the Outlaw unit, not because it's not a good unit but more that it's getting pretty long in the tooth. It's pretty limited with respect to inputs. Didn't it come out 3 or so years ago? Several owners of the unit have said it's good for HT but not so hot for 2CH stereo material. I'm surprised they don't have an updated version of it yet. I will say the price is certainly right, though: at $800 it's a good value. And the Outlaws has a money back guarentee, so if you think it looks good you won't be risking anything.

 

[RLA]

I've heard nothing but good about the brand new Sherwood prepro


I posted this last week I have installed two Sherwood P-965's and both had problems

The Sherwood Newcastle P-965 uses the CS 49400
I have installed two for the same client and both went back to the distributor
The last one I received had a decoding problem I was standing in the clients home trying to get Sherwood's Tec support after 6 attempted phone calls someone finally answered in heavy broken English "There all on vacation
try back later" My mistake was letting my client take over the phone duty
from his speaker phone after the shock wore off my client and after a few choice words he indicated that he would prefer the P-965 vacate the premises We took care of him using velvet gloves but I was ready to sledge hammer the 965 and send it back in pieces Pre Amps with CS49xxx I will never install or offer another one to my clients I should also note that the calls were placed directly to the California office
__________________


I should update my post to say if it comes from the Eastech Manufacturing
I will not install it in one of my client’s homes They are prone to
delayed bitstream lock on,drop outs, bass management errors and processing errors other than that there great

 

[jeffsg4mac]

I think I would just get a Denon 3805 or one of the yammies and use it for a preamp, in fact they are a better value then getting a preamp alone, and both the denon and the yammie have higher quality DSP's then a lot of so called high end multi channel preamps alone. Plus you have the added benefit of the extra amps in case one of your seperates dies on you. Try and find a seperate preamp alone that offers as much as the 3805 or the rxv2400 at twice the price.

 

[RLA]

Hi
I have to agree with Jeff The new Mid-Fi receivers used as Pre/Pro's have to be the best bang for the buck out there The only draw back I see is slightly elevated noise on the Pre-Amp outputs Other than that they are not going to be beat dollar for dollar. Like Jeff said the RXV 1400,2400 and Denon 3805 are the ones to look at
Cheers