I have seen the light

rdb2001

All I can say is wow. I have never had a dedicated 2 channel preamp before. I have always ran my AVR as a pre/pro and used seperate amps. Well I thought music sounded pretty good with this setup. Well in building my new system, I decided to add a 2 channel preamp with HTBP to the mix to see if I was missing something. All I can say is wow. I have seen the light. The avr cannot hold a candle to the 2 channel preamp when it comes to music playback. Man it is not even close. The soundstage is huge with the 2 channel preamp. Very airy sounding, full of detail. Very tight accurate bass. Imaging is centered and out front. The midrange pops really good. The AVR sounds muffled in comparison. I tried every mode possible and expected pure direct to be close but it wasn't It is just a great experience. I have been doing an a/b test all night and it is not even a close race. I have read over and over that a good 2 channel preamp makes a difference and now I have experienced it for myself. I have a decent preamp but I think this is going to start me down the rabbit hole.

Associated equipment
Speakers - Monitor Audio GX300
AVR acting as a prepro - Denon 4311
2 channel preamp - Cambridge 840E
2 channel amp - Bryston 4bsst
Source - Marantz NA7004 network player
Interconnects - Audioquest Diamondbacks
Speaker Cables - Audioquest Rocket 44

Upstatemax

Wait till you get a taste of tubes...

That's a hell of a rabbit hole!

specd_out

I have to agree with you on that. I first ran everything to my vsx32 avr then to my Carver 1.0t. Sound great. Then I did source - VSX32- Carver C-1 - Carver 1.0t. That was a nice improvement. Then I tried connecting 2ch audio sources, like my phone connection and things like that directly to the C-1, bypassing the VSX32. Its a pretty decent improvement.

I dont understand how but it sound more pronounced with stronger bass and clearer highs. Its worth getting off the couch to change the volume

Toolfan66

Yep AVR's suck I will never go back.. Well I am running an AVR for my atriums on the patio..

reeltrouble1

Enjoy, once bitten the apple just gets sweeter. It's your unique journey, never let anyone bury their bone in your backyard.

RT1

tonyb

I always dig when someone puts forth the effort to discover new things in audio for themselves. Congrats to the OP, your listening pleasure will only get better and your wallet lighter.

cstmar01

Ahh, yes, 2 channel pre over an AVR any day IMO.

Anytime I used an AVR for a pre amp it never sounded right. Then when I started in on 2 channel and got one, it sounded better and better as I moved up and now just do 2 channel and no HT anymore.

Good luck! Glad you enjoy it!

nspindel

It's not even a contest. My 2-channel and HT systems are completely separate.

rdb2001

Unfortunately I had to build a hybrid system that could do both well. The wife wanted it all in one room. I oblidge and the HTBP is a great feature for that as I have seperate equipment for HT and seperate equipment for 2 channel. The plan now is to continue to see how things and improve and go with my orignal plan of a tube preamp. Rogue Audio has really caught my interest. I missed out on a modwright tube pre last week.

EndersShadow

specd_out wrote: »

I have to agree with you on that. I first ran everything to my vsx32 avr then to my Carver 1.0t. Sound great. Then I did source - VSX32- Carver C-1 - Carver 1.0t. That was a nice improvement. Then I tried connecting 2ch audio sources, like my phone connection and things like that directly to the C-1, bypassing the VSX32. Its a pretty decent improvement.

I dont understand how but it sound more pronounced with stronger bass and clearer highs. Its worth getting off the couch to change the volume

If your using your phone direct to your pre, use a better source file wise (like FLAC, or even a cd player direct) and it will shock you even further.... I just thought I would mention that since I see you also said "Then I tried connecting 2ch audio sources" but you never mentioned what those sources were.

I know my iPhone is NOT the best source to judge from myself :biggrin:.

cnh

reeltrouble1 wrote: »

Enjoy, once bitten the apple just gets sweeter. It's your unique journey, never let anyone bury their bone in your backyard.

RT1

But preferably, bury it in a bread box close to some squirrels!

Perhaps the most bottomless of rabbit holes is your "self"? Don't fall in there. Few emerge "sane"!

cnh

specd_out

EndersShadow wrote: »

If your using your phone direct to your pre, use a better source file wise (like FLAC, or even a cd player direct) and it will shock you even further.... I just thought I would mention that since I see you also said "Then I tried connecting 2ch audio sources" but you never mentioned what those sources were.

I know my iPhone is NOT the best source to judge from myself :biggrin:.

Other sources I tried where, My record player in the phono section, my phone, and a separate Carver tuner. all where noticeably better then going through the AVR first. I know just use the AVR as a a/v hub for xbox and bluray, any future audio sources will go directly to the carver.

vc69

nspindel wrote: »

It's not even a contest. My 2-channel and HT systems are completely separate.

Amen to that. Mine shares a disc transport and two speakers but that is it. 2 channel is the only way go for music.

cnh

Seen the light?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fxY2zh33z0

cnh