Finally added a pre-amp...

kevhed72
kevhed72 Posts: 5,055
edited October 2010 in 2 Channel Audio
A Parasound PLD 1100 off of Ebay for a very reasonable price. The difference between a pre and an AVR - greater than what I expected. My music has more impact, depth, and feeling now, as everythiing being run through the AVR sounded much "flatter", if you get my drift :cool:.
ON THE HT side - I re-ran the AVRs MACC with the pre's volume at 10 oclock on the dial....only drawback will be I need to remember to put the pre back to the 10:00 position after listening to music. Also, I just ran the pre-outs on the AVR to the video inputs of the new pre. BESIDES the inconvenience of not having true HT bypass, is there any other issue with this setup? (I really wanted a pre with HT bypass, but I couldnt pass on the price and build quality of the PLD 1100...)
Post edited by kevhed72 on
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,606
    edited September 2010
    Interesting, I've been wondering what the tangible advantage of a pre was. Does the pre only have analog inputs?
    ALL BOXED UP for a while until I save up for a new place :(

    Home Theater:
    KEF Q900s / MIT Shotgun S3 / MIT CVT2 ICs | KEF Q600C | Polk FXi5 | BJC Wire | Signal / AQ ICs | Shunyata / Pangea PCs | Pioneer Elite SC 57 | Parasound NC2100 Pre | NAD M25 | Marantz SA8001 | Schiit Gungnir DAC | SB Touch

    2 Channel:
    Polk LSi9 (xo mods), Polk DSW MicroPro 2000 sub | NAD c375BEE | W4S DAC1 | SB Touch | Marantz SA-8001 | MIT AVt 2 | Kimber Hero / AQ / Signal ICs | Shunyata / Signal PCs
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  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 5,055
    edited September 2010
    I believe only analog inputs. I believe this particular pre is around 15 years old. From the manual:
    "Each input has the same input sensitivity and impedance and is compatible
    Tuner with any typical analog line level source: DAT, MD, DCC, output of a
    Video Laserdisc or VCR..."
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  • chandler9a
    chandler9a Posts: 878
    edited September 2010
    I've done this with no problems, only difference is the benefit of having better sound for 2 ch.
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited September 2010
    PrazVT wrote: »
    Interesting, I've been wondering what the tangible advantage of a pre was. Does the pre only have analog inputs?

    As with everything, it depends. It is possible to buy a pre-amp that is worse than the AVR pre-amp. It depends on the pre-amp, and the pre-amp in the AVR.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • PrazVT
    PrazVT Posts: 1,606
    edited September 2010
    As with everything, it depends. It is possible to buy a pre-amp that is worse than the AVR pre-amp. It depends on the pre-amp, and the pre-amp in the AVR.

    I ask because pre-amps look to be as expensive as full blown avrs with pre-outs. I think you've just muddied the waters for me more ;)
    ALL BOXED UP for a while until I save up for a new place :(

    Home Theater:
    KEF Q900s / MIT Shotgun S3 / MIT CVT2 ICs | KEF Q600C | Polk FXi5 | BJC Wire | Signal / AQ ICs | Shunyata / Pangea PCs | Pioneer Elite SC 57 | Parasound NC2100 Pre | NAD M25 | Marantz SA8001 | Schiit Gungnir DAC | SB Touch

    2 Channel:
    Polk LSi9 (xo mods), Polk DSW MicroPro 2000 sub | NAD c375BEE | W4S DAC1 | SB Touch | Marantz SA-8001 | MIT AVt 2 | Kimber Hero / AQ / Signal ICs | Shunyata / Signal PCs
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  • kevhed72
    kevhed72 Posts: 5,055
    edited September 2010
    PrazVT wrote: »
    I ask because pre-amps look to be as expensive as full blown avrs with pre-outs. I think you've just muddied the waters for me more ;)

    I have been pretty successful by researching the heck out of my next upgrade, then keep shopping for a good price on the used market. The most useful info. I find when I pop something into Google usually comes from this forum...:)
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited September 2010
    BlueFox wrote: »
    As with everything, it depends. It is possible to buy a pre-amp that is worse than the AVR pre-amp. It depends on the pre-amp, and the pre-amp in the AVR.

    How true...my NAD T765 comes to mind. I sold off my CJ PV14L tube pre along with my Krell SS KAV pre. The NAD was not intimidated at all by the presence of those separates. Two channel still sounds glorious! Not to mention the benefit & flexibility of bass management.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,244
    edited September 2010
    Now you know AVR's SUCK for music!!!
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited September 2010
    TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »
    Now you know AVR's SUCK for music!!!

    If you say so oh exhalted one!!! :rolleyes:
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited September 2010
    My B&k avr sounds pretty darn good on 2 channel. Is there better in the way of seperates ? Of coarse there is, but then again when comparing pre-amps,there's always something better too. Just have to decide when good enough is actually good enough for you. If I was to ever go seperates again, a passive pre would be on the short list.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,244
    edited September 2010
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    If you say so oh exhalted one!!! :rolleyes:

    Thanks!!!!:rolleyes:




    BTW I was just teasing in the first place as I love my Pioneer SC-07 for what it does.. But I still prefer seperates...

    Is it not OK to rib anyone anymore?? Or is that not politically correct now as well??
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  • pearsall001
    pearsall001 Posts: 5,068
    edited September 2010
    TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »
    Thanks!!!!:rolleyes:




    BTW I was just teasing in the first place as I love my Pioneer SC-07 for what it does.. But I still prefer seperates...

    Is it not OK to rib anyone anymore?? Or is that not politically correct now as well??

    Of course ribbing is still allowed. Hell, I'm pretty good at it myself! ;) I didn't mean to come off like I was miffed, I knew you were only joshing. It's all in good fun, just ask the guys that post threads about TT. Man ooh man do I have fun with that.
    "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,244
    edited September 2010
    pearsall001 wrote: »
    Of course ribbing is still allowed. Hell, I'm pretty good at it myself! ;) I didn't mean to come off like I was miffed, I knew you were only joshing. It's all in good fun, just ask the guys that post threads about TT. Man ooh man do I have fun with that.

    HEHE!!:p
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited September 2010
    That's great. Many years ago, I was running a 2ch/HT combo with the same configuration you did. Worked fine and sounded great.

    Enjoy your new pre amp.
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  • cienega
    cienega Posts: 85
    edited October 2010
    Changing from a receiver used as a pre to a dedicated preamp was one of the most noticeable improvements I made to my system. I was using a Harmon Kardon 3490 which was no slouch but the Vincent tube pre really made a difference.
    2 channel
    Vandersteen 3a sigs
    McCormick 225
    Vincent SAT-1 tube pre
    Cambridge 650 c
    HSU VTF-15H sub
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  • leftwinger57
    leftwinger57 Posts: 2,917
    edited October 2010
    I still cannot get my Yamaha rx v665 to act as a pre. Called many and finally had to go w/ Onkyo p-301 pre. I'm happy that my 2ch is totally seperate from h/t.Still miffed that what was said about avr did not happen.....lw
    2chl- Adcom GFA- 555-Onkyo P-3150v pre/amp- JVC-QL-A200 tt- Denon 1940 ci cdp- Adcom GFS-6 -Modded '87 SDA 2Bs - Dynamat Ext.- BH-5- X-Overs VR-3, RDO-194 tweeters, Larry's Rings, Speakon/Neutrik I/C- Cherry stain tops Advent Maestros,Ohm model E

    H/T- Toshiba au40" flat- Yamaha RX- V665 avr- YSD-11 Dock- I-Pod- Klipsch #400HD Speaker set-

    Bdrm- Nikko 6065 receiver- JBL -G-200s--Pioneer 305 headphones--Sony CE375-5 disc
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  • coolsax
    coolsax Posts: 1,824
    edited October 2010
    that's weird you couldn't get it working with your 665, I use 665 as a pre just fine.. you must have gotten a bad one...
    Main 2ch -
    BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
    TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.

    TV 3.1 system -
    Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
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  • jimmydep
    jimmydep Posts: 1,305
    edited October 2010
    leftwinger57 wrote: »
    I still cannot get my Yamaha rx v665 to act as a pre. Called many and finally had to go w/ Onkyo p-301 pre. I'm happy that my 2ch is totally seperate from h/t.Still miffed that what was said about avr did not happen.....lw

    I'm using mine as a Pre-Pro.....what kind of problems are you having?
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