Using your receiver as a pre-pro?

[bigdwest]

How many of you are using your receiver as a pre-pro?

What are your reasons for choosing a receiver over a dedicated pre-pro?

Time to market of desired features? Price?

What receiver (Brand/Model) are you using and why did you choose it?

Thanks!

 

[j_garcia]

I don't use external amps for all channels, so a pre/pro wouldn't work for me. I added the monoblocks because all my speakers are 4 Ohm and the receiver was struggling a bit.

 

[mulester7]

Panamax 5100, Panamax Max2 sub.

.....JGarcia, what are these two pieces of equipment?....and how do you use them, if you please?......

 

[jaxvon]

Those would be power conditioning equipment Mr. Mule.

 

[mulester7]

I don't use external amps for all channels, so a pre/pro wouldn't work for me. I added the monoblocks because all my speakers are 4 Ohm and the receiver was struggling a bit.

.....JGarcia, this seems the perfect situation to use the surround receiver, with the great pre-pro'ing sections, to push the surrounds, which should widen the soundstage of the fronts, but not quite ever come equal to the fronts at your chair or couch....I believe the fronts should dominate at your chair, but only by a speck....little more than a speck when you lean forward toward the fronts....guys, your ears all do this type stuff....find the sweet spots, using your ears, not needle hands......

 

[mulester7]

Those would be power conditioning equipment Mr. Mule.

.....aaahh, I see, Jaxvon....would that be power conditioning for the main's regiment power, and conditioning for what the sub is going to draw in the second piece of equipment?......

 

[j_garcia]

.....aaahh, I see, Jaxvon....would that be power conditioning for the main's regiment power, and conditioning for what the sub is going to draw in the second piece of equipment?......

Preciscely. The 5100 handles everything but the sub with a few spots to spare. The system is also geared toward 2ch listening, so it isn't as important to have a ton of power on the other guys. The receiver handles having just the center and surround duty quite adequately for movies and mulichannel music.

 

[Doug917]

I use a Yamaha RX-V2500 receiver as a dedicated pre/pro for the following reasons:

1)Has a ton of features
2).5dB channel level adjustments
3)Super quiet preamp section
4)Yamaha's DSP is incredible at pulling you into a movie
5)Dialogue Lift function works awesome with large screens
6)Built in adjustable parametric equalization

Those are the main reasons I can think of right now.

 

[Buckle-meister]

Dialogue Lift function works awesome with large screens.

What is this?

Regards

 

[Doug917]

meister,

Don't worry, the Z9 of course has this function as well. However, it only works when presence speakers are installed. Dialogue lift takes some of the dialogue (and other information) from the center channel and sends it to the presence speakers. For someone like me with a 92" 16x9 screen it really helps move the dialogue upwards a little bit and totally anchors the front channels to the screen. The dialogue really follows the characters across the screen much more smoothly than using the center alone. I find anything over a level of 2 (range 1 to 5) to be excessive however. On a smaller screen this is probably not helpful what so ever. On a screen ~50" or over, I think anyone would see a huge difference. If you don't have presence channels connected to the Z9, your immediate assignment is to go buy a pair and hook them up. They make a H U G E difference in the front soundfield.

Peace!

 

[Buckle-meister]

If you don't have presence channels connected to the Z9, your immediate assignment is to go buy a pair and hook them up. They make a H U G E difference in the front soundfield.

Hmm, funny you should say that; I had some bloke from the bank phone and ask me if I wanted to borrow some money last night. He was practically throwing notes at me, and would've quite happily helped me fall head over heels in debt. I politely declined.

I have only given cursory thought to getting the Presence speakers eventually since the surround backs will be next on the agenda, and then maybe an additional sub. I had thought that the Presence channels only added a little bit of ambience to the mix, but from what you say, it sounds as if this is not the case.

Hmm...what was that guy's number again?

Regards

 

[Doug917]

meister,

As you know I have to chose between the Surround Back and Presence channels. I have chose to run Presence over Surround Back exclusively. They provide so much more than the Surround Back. Although, I must admit when I used to have my Denon 5800, I really enjoyed what the THX2-Movie mode did with the Surround Back channels. I imagine the same mode on the Z9 works wonders as well. I would advise you to add the Presence, Extra Sub, and then Surround Back channels speaking from the the performance I have seen from the 2500. Or, if you don't even have surround back and presence speakers hooked up we could just trade receivers and you would have less to buy

 

[buckyg4]

In my second system i'm using a receiver as a pre-pro because I don't have enough dough to buy the pre-pro that I want. If one has the money I believe they should definetly go with the power and and pre-pro because it give you much more flexibility. Technology in solid state power amps is not changing at near the rate of the pre-pro. I plan to have my power amp for 10+ years, but I plan to change my pre-pro every 4-5 years. No reason I should spend more money to upgrade my amplifier section every 4-5 years when the technology will be fine way beyond that time.

 

[Squid]

Quick question needing a quick answer

I use a Yamaha RX-V2500 receiver as a dedicated pre/pro for the following reasons:

1)Has a ton of features
2).5dB channel level adjustments
3)Super quiet preamp section
4)Yamaha's DSP is incredible at pulling you into a movie
5)Dialogue Lift function works awesome with large screens
6)Built in adjustable parametric equalization

Those are the main reasons I can think of right now.

Hi, I've currently got the Yam 2400, and love it. I'm using it to push Klipcsh RF-5s. I'm happy, but I know I'd be happier with a dedicated amp for the fronts. Is there any conflict with using the Yam 2400 preamp outs? I read that certain amps need certain wattage in from the preamp (like 1.25w) to get optimal results from the amp. I'm asuming there wouldn't be any problem.
By the way, I'm looking at these, in this order. I think the soft, natural sound of the Yamaya, might be too soft with the B&K. Thoughts? Open for suggestions:
- B&K ST140
-B&K ST2020
-Carver TFM 15
-Parasound 2125

Thanks for any info!!!
-Adcom GFA 5400

 

[Doug917]

Squid,

You need to find the amount of Voltage the Yamaha 2400 puts out of the preamp channels. Then find out the amount of Voltage required to drive one of the amps to full capacity. I can tell you Outlaw amps have no problem being pushed to full output with a Yamaha 2500. I'm guessing 9 times out of 10 it will not be a problem. Used to have a Carver AV-705x and it did not mate that well with Yamaha and Klipsch (which I also use). Outlaw does very well.