Pre/Pro

deronb1
deronb1 Posts: 5,021
edited December 2013 in Electronics
Been kickin around going with a pre/pro. Want to stay around 300.00 though. Can get a Parasound AVC-2500u in really good shape for 325.00 shipped. Anyone have experience with this piece? Will be mated to a Rotel RMB-1066. Also looking at a B&K Ref 50 for probably around the same cash.
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  • aboroth00
    aboroth00 Posts: 1,106
    edited December 2013
    deronb1 wrote: »
    Been kickin around going with a pre/pro. Want to stay around 300.00 though. Can get a Parasound AVC-2500u in really good shape for 325.00 shipped. Anyone have experience with this piece? Will be mated to a Rotel RMB-1066. Also looking at a B&K Ref 50 for probably around the same cash.

    My first question is: what do you want to accomplish by getting a Pre/pro over a receiver?
    2Ch Tube Audio Convert
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  • deronb1
    deronb1 Posts: 5,021
    edited December 2013
    aboroth00 wrote: »
    My first question is: what do you want to accomplish by getting a Pre/pro over a receiver?

    Want to improve 2ch listening. Seems quality has degregated since using AVR as a pre.
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  • deronb1
    deronb1 Posts: 5,021
    edited December 2013
    Lasareath wrote: »
    Twice the price but worth the extra dough!

    http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/975.html

    That looks very interesting. I like bass management in 10Hz increments. Drives me nuts that the Pio starts at 50Hz and jumps to 80Hz.
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited December 2013
    aboroth00 wrote: »
    My first question is: what do you want to accomplish by getting a Pre/pro over a receiver?

    By leaving out the amps vendors can spend more on the pre part. At least that is the theory. When I replaced my Sony DA7100ES, used as a pre, with an Onkyo SC5509 pre I was amazed at the step up in sound quality.
    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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  • deronb1
    deronb1 Posts: 5,021
    edited December 2013
    Just want music to come first while having a decent sounding HT system. The Parasound PL / D Line drive amp and HCA1500a was killer for 2 ch music, but when I sold the 2Bs, just didn't need that much power anymore. The B&Ws sound terriffic, but it seems imaging and depth are lacking using the Pio as a pre. Want to get that back.
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  • carvcom
    carvcom Posts: 240
    edited December 2013
    I think $325 is a bit high for the 2500u, I've seen them go for around $200. I have an AVC1800 that I love, very inexpensive.
    Have you looked at Lexicon? MC-1/DC-1 are in that ballpark, I also have an MC-4 that is really phenominal!
    They go for around $400.
    If you really like B&K, check out the Ref 30.
    I've had both the 50 & the 30, prefered the sound of the 30.
    My 2 cents!
    Good luck!

    S
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  • deronb1
    deronb1 Posts: 5,021
    edited December 2013
    DSkip wrote: »
    Why not save some dough and get the 105 then? Music will come first and you'll get all the digital prowess you need to run a home theater through your main rig. I try to find cheaper alternatives that I'd be happy with it but that thing has too much to offer.

    105?
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  • aboroth00
    aboroth00 Posts: 1,106
    edited December 2013
    deronb1 wrote: »
    105?

    Oppo105? You can use it as a preamp for both HT and music with excellent Dac's.
    2Ch Tube Audio Convert
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited December 2013
    Not for 300 bucks he can't....lol
    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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  • polklifer
    polklifer Posts: 40
    edited December 2013
    I have had several B&K pre/processors, all have worked really well for 2-channel, but the ref 50 is the winner because of the balanced inputs and outputs, build quality is excellent.

    I have found excellent synergy with my Adcom 5500/Ref 50 combo

    I paid $150 for my ref 50 w/remote, a screaming deal, so $300 plus seems pricey

    Good luck sir!
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  • Lietuvis91
    Lietuvis91 Posts: 908
    edited December 2013
    Lasareath wrote: »
    Twice the price but worth the extra dough!

    http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/975.html

    I just bought one as a bstock unit for $399 2 months or so ago. Came looking brand new and replaced my marantz 7002 avr. I really really like it, because I really really enjoy listeningto it. The sound is much more natural and "live" when compared to the avr. It really took me a step closer to being at the concert as opposed to listening to it on a kick **** system. It's just a different overall musical experience. I have no other experiecne with any other dedicated pres. Given the sound quality and convenience of hdmi, especially ay the price of this thing, even if the B&K or whatever has marginally better sound, I don' think I'd care.
    Living Room 7.1 HT Rig:

    M70 | CS2 | M60 | Atrium5 - Surr. | SUB - Emotiva ULTRA12 + Tara Labs sub cable | Pioneer Elite VSX-52 | Parasound HCAs 1000A | Sony BDP-S790 | Belkin PureAV PF60 | MIT Exp2 Wires

    Bedroom 5.0 HT Rig (Music/Movies/Gaming) :

    LSi9 | LsiC | Lsi/fx | Marantz SR7002 | NAD T955 | Sony BDP-S360 | Belkin PureAV PF30 | AQ Blue Racer II ICs & AQ Type 4 wires | PS3
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  • Lietuvis91
    Lietuvis91 Posts: 908
    edited December 2013
    Whatever your decision on chosing a pre, I personally really wish I had gone to a pre sooner, because I never really heard my lsi *sing* like this until I got a pre. I'm not sure I'll buy an avr ever again.
    Living Room 7.1 HT Rig:

    M70 | CS2 | M60 | Atrium5 - Surr. | SUB - Emotiva ULTRA12 + Tara Labs sub cable | Pioneer Elite VSX-52 | Parasound HCAs 1000A | Sony BDP-S790 | Belkin PureAV PF60 | MIT Exp2 Wires

    Bedroom 5.0 HT Rig (Music/Movies/Gaming) :

    LSi9 | LsiC | Lsi/fx | Marantz SR7002 | NAD T955 | Sony BDP-S360 | Belkin PureAV PF30 | AQ Blue Racer II ICs & AQ Type 4 wires | PS3
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  • 258884
    258884 Posts: 1
    edited December 2013
    Emotiva. Entry level is about 500.

    http://shop.emotiva.com/collections/processors/products/umc200
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  • deronb1
    deronb1 Posts: 5,021
    edited December 2013
    Think im gonna go with a pio sc series and be done with it
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited December 2013
    258884 wrote: »
    Emotiva. Entry level is about 500.

    http://shop.emotiva.com/.........

    Nice first post. It almost qualifies as spam.
    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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  • Lietuvis91
    Lietuvis91 Posts: 908
    edited December 2013
    deronb1 wrote: »
    Think im gonna go with a pio sc series and be done with it

    If I were to do an avr the pio would definitely be it for me. I have one already and from all the ones I tried, I feel pio is the best match sonically for polk speakers.
    Living Room 7.1 HT Rig:

    M70 | CS2 | M60 | Atrium5 - Surr. | SUB - Emotiva ULTRA12 + Tara Labs sub cable | Pioneer Elite VSX-52 | Parasound HCAs 1000A | Sony BDP-S790 | Belkin PureAV PF60 | MIT Exp2 Wires

    Bedroom 5.0 HT Rig (Music/Movies/Gaming) :

    LSi9 | LsiC | Lsi/fx | Marantz SR7002 | NAD T955 | Sony BDP-S360 | Belkin PureAV PF30 | AQ Blue Racer II ICs & AQ Type 4 wires | PS3
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  • gmcman
    gmcman Posts: 1,806
    edited December 2013
    polklifer wrote: »
    I paid $150 for my ref 50 w/remote, a screaming deal, so $300 plus seems pricey. Good luck sir!

    I'd say $150 is a screaming deal but $350 isn't too pricey IMO.
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  • deronb1
    deronb1 Posts: 5,021
    edited December 2013
    Lietuvis91 wrote: »
    If I were to do an avr the pio would definitely be it for me. I have one already and from all the ones I tried, I feel pio is the best match sonically for polk speakers.

    The Pio sounds good with the B&Ws. The SC series may sound different, not sure really. Wan't an AVR with a warmish sound where I can control xover 60hz and 70hz as well. Drives me crazy that Pio skips from 50hz to 80hz. How much would it have cost em to include those two little settings?
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  • gmcman
    gmcman Posts: 1,806
    edited December 2013
    Receiver: http://www.ebay.com/itm/B-K-AV-AVR307-7-1-Channel-150-Watt-Home-Theater-Receiver-Dolby-Pro-II-THX-etc-/221314759278?pt=Receivers_Tuners&hash=item3387633a6e


    You can go with a ST-202 or 202+, splurge for any of the 200.? amps with a Ref 30 or 50. A lot of bang for the buck.
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