Which Pre-Amp

[snmhanson]

.

I would only trust a pre/pro from EMO as far as I could throw it.

Yeah, for some reason the Emo stuff just makes me wonder. I was looking at it because the features included for the price make it seem like an incredible value. However, in my vast experience of buying things, I find out that you generally get what you pay for. Of course there are always exceptions...

I think I will focus on the other options, unless the Emo comes out and has time to prove itself before I end up making a purchase. Now, I realize the Outlaw will be a new offering as well, however, it has most of the same internals as the new Sherwood Cambridge AVR (except without the amp section) which I believe is already available. At least that will give me some idea of the reliability and functionality of the Outlaw when it becomes available. As I said, I will keep the other recomendations under consideration.

Matt

 

[snmhanson]

I meant Sherwood Newcastle - not Sherwood Cambridge on my last post...

 

[jostenmeat]

Never mind, had a brain cramp yesterday.

For most HT applications, I think an AVR will work just fine and for me, it needs to analog really well.

It bothers me that the amplifiers within the AVR would go unused though. I don't know why..

I hear you man. I like the idea of having a streamlined system (though you wouldn't believe me if you saw my cabling ). I also don't like that I bought an amp section just to sit there unused.

The real reason why AVRs or so much less, even with unnecessary amp, is due to the economies of scale. I mean, you can look at the number of posts and views between the receivers vs pre/pros of any brand, and its easy to see.

I know it's nit-picky but I really like how all of the sources are assignable and fully cusomizeable and that there are not predefined source buttons on the front of the unit.

Thanks again for the input.

Matt

I don't think anyone thought you were being a forum whore in the slightest. And you're welcome, thanks for the words. My refurbed 805, which has been had recently for as low as $350, can be fully assignable/customizable. Except for the tiny white lettering on the receiver, the display can read whatever I want it to, I can have different lipsync settings per source. Ok, Im sure there are limitations. It does however employ the same burrbrown model as in the $7k Denon AVP, and see what else you are going to find with XT anywhere near its price point.

OTOH, the newer hi end Onkyo receivers have ISF calibration abilities per source input, and I even think they can do vertical stretch for anamorphic setups, and that's pretty insane if you think about what you are all getting for the price point. Try to find that in a NAD, Emo, or Outlaw.