Researching preamp/processors...any suggestions

pearsall001

Just starting to do research on a possible preamp/processor. So far I've been looking at Anthem, Arcam, Classe, Theta, NAD, Cary, Yamaha. Budget maxes out at 4k. New (limits my possibilities) but used really opens the door. Any 1st experience with any of them & models in particular. Now before you ask...I'm still quite smitten with my Yammie AVENTAGE AVR 3010. I might not even switch it up but then again I just might. My wallet has been collecting cobwebs!

WLDock

Make sure the new Marantz AV7702 and AV8802 are on the list. A lot depends on what future support you are after and if you really should or need to upgrade right now.

tonyb

The Cary Cinema 12 can be had somewhat new or a store demo for under that. But you know me Phil, I'm a Cary fanboy anyway.

Personally though, because technology is changing at such a clip, don't know if I would spend 4k on a processor that may be outdated at any time now. Some still don't support 4k...if that's an interest to you. Even some of last years 4k TV's don't support the newer hdmi 2.0and hdcp 2.2.

Plus if you pay top dollar for a totl pre/pro at the start of newer technology, how long would it remain current....3 maybe 5 years ? Receivers are easier to flip in these circumstances but if we are going to judge on SQ alone....and you don't mind the hit in the wallet, the Cary would be on my short list.

dpowell

You also need to consider whether you will want to implement Dolby Atmos at some point in the future. Some processors are beginning to support it but not all have as of yet.

BlueFox

I have been very happy with the sound of the $2500 Onkyo SC5509 pre for my HT/surround system. The only thing I would consider replacing it with is the $9K Bryston SP3.

pearsall001

So far the NAD M17 looks very promising...but since they're brand new & pricey I'd have to wait awhile for used one's to hit the market. NAD is still the only company outside of Theta & Meridian (that I know of) that you can keep updating as technology changes. Plus after doing more research the Theta is just way out of my price range & not too mention their upgrades are also not for the light wallets. I will keep on doing more research for sure. And Tony, I read something about the Cary unit having dropped the ball on subwoofer adjustments (don't know if it's true or not). Great info here so far.

tonyb

Read something about that too Phil. Didn't quit understand the complaint though as Cary still does bass management...maybe not however for 2 channel. I think it was centered around the Cary not doing video conversions, and they are straight forward on that. They just pass on what ever signal is fed.

Still, in my book.....4-5k for a processor seems excessive. I would be more inclined to search out a pre for 2 channel that had a HT pass option. Like we always say....HT is easy, 2 channel is a ****

pearsall001

Tony, I'm with you on the 4-5K being excessive. All the units I'm looking at are in the used category for a nice savings. The NAD M17 is the only new one that I've looked at, but I would have to wait for them to hit the used market. Plus NAD still is a modular design that will keep up with changing technology. I like that feature.

I'm still a believer in the one box solution for all my HT / Music needs (minus amps). I enjoy 2 channel but have grown to appreciate other music formats that a 2 channel pre just can't deliver. There is just too much musical variety to limit myself to 2 channel. Of course that's what works for me...others needs will of course vary.

EndersShadow

pearsall001 wrote: »

Tony, I'm with you on the 4-5K being excessive. All the units I'm looking at are in the used category for a nice savings. The NAD M17 is the only new one that I've looked at, but I would have to wait for them to hit the used market. Plus NAD still is a modular design that will keep up with changing technology. I like that feature.

Phil, I talked to a bunch of guys at a local hi-fi shop at one point about NAD modules in general as I was looking at one of their units.

I was told "in theory" its plug and play and is awesome.... In practice its normally a nightmare.....

I shied away from them after hearing that.

I haven't done any research lately to see if that is still the case but wanted to give you a heads up that the guys I trust are NOT in favor of the NAD modules at all. They said they cause a TON more headache than they are worth.

BlueFox

Before I bought my Onkyo SC5509 I bought a T-187 NAD AV pre-amp from two vendors, Audio Advisor and Crutchfield. I returned them both. The first from AA buzzed in all 5 channels, and it was audible from my chair. I returned it and went to Crutchfield since I thought they might have a different batch, but it also buzzed. In my mind, there is no excuse today for noise to be created by gear. I knew it wasn't the room because the Sony 7100ES I was using before was dead quiet. After getting the Onkyo, it too is dead quiet.

Personally, I suspect having the plug-in modules on the NAD was the cause since that adds another point of failure. Resetting the cards did not help.

pearsall001

EndersShadow wrote: »

pearsall001 wrote: »

Tony, I'm with you on the 4-5K being excessive. All the units I'm looking at are in the used category for a nice savings. The NAD M17 is the only new one that I've looked at, but I would have to wait for them to hit the used market. Plus NAD still is a modular design that will keep up with changing technology. I like that feature.

Phil, I talked to a bunch of guys at a local hi-fi shop at one point about NAD modules in general as I was looking at one of their units.

I was told "in theory" its plug and play and is awesome.... In practice its normally a nightmare.....

I shied away from them after hearing that.

I haven't done any research lately to see if that is still the case but wanted to give you a heads up that the guys I trust are NOT in favor of the NAD modules at all. They said they cause a TON more headache than they are worth.

Ender:

Very interesting...I haven't heard that before & their modules have been out for a few nears now. I will definitely do my homework, thanks for the insight!

EndersShadow

pearsall001 wrote: »

Ender:

Very interesting...I haven't heard that before & their modules have been out for a few nears now. I will definitely do my homework, thanks for the insight!

Yeah, they modules may have been out for a bit, but how many folks have actually taken advantage of them, and how many have had problems? I dont think they are super cheap either, so thats probably another deterrent.

tonyb

I hear ya Phil, one box solutions are great for those of us with a dual purpose system. You know as well as others though that one box solutions also must make compromises. Trick is getting the compromises you can live with.

Every one always says their gear is "future proof" in theory.....sells gear. In reality though....eh, not so much. Man, I think back to all the 3-4k processors just in the last 10 years that now go for 4-600 bucks. Proceed....B&k....Anthem...Classe, all fantastic in their own right even by todays standards of SQ. Theta is awfully costly to keep upgrading, so that may be a concern also.

Maybe a used Anthem D2 might fall from the sky for a decent price. A processor for both HT/2 channel though....of decent SQ won't come cheap. Scratch the D2....out of date already, lol.

pearsall001

tonyb wrote: »

I hear ya Phil, one box solutions are great for those of us with a dual purpose system. You know as well as others though that one box solutions also must make compromises. Trick is getting the compromises you can live with.

Every one always says their gear is "future proof" in theory.....sells gear. In reality though....eh, not so much. Man, I think back to all the 3-4k processors just in the last 10 years that now go for 4-600 bucks. Proceed....B&k....Anthem...Classe, all fantastic in their own right even by todays standards of SQ. Theta is awfully costly to keep upgrading, so that may be a concern also.

Maybe a used Anthem D2 might fall from the sky for a decent price. A processor for both HT/2 channel though....of decent SQ won't come cheap. Scratch the D2....out of date already, lol.

Yes indeed the D2 is now the D3 3D unit. You almost can't keep up for goodness sakes!!! lol! Emotiva just came out with a new one & Outlaw is working on one also. From what I've read Krell units are exceptional. Sheesh!!! Time for a drink.

pitdogg2

EndersShadow wrote: »

pearsall001 wrote: »

I was told "in theory" its plug and play and is awesome.... In practice its normally a nightmare.....

Onkyo also had a blade unit don't hear much about it anymore, Then one day I seen where they were bringing out a new feature for it...For about 1/2 the price of the unit new. Rotel also had a pre that was upgradable by flash memory they brought one upgrade then they brought out a new pre instead.

I like the theory BUT in the real world they just couldn't stay in business with those units. as the cost to ramp up production for a very few

tonyb

There's a few digital Theta Casablanca's on the 'gon for relatively cheap. Probably because they need the updating for sure. I was looking at what those updates cost....holy smokes, you can buy a new Marantz pre/pro every upgrade cycle for what it would cost....and then some.

ken brydson

tonyb wrote: »

Maybe a used Anthem D2 might fall from the sky.

Only when ordered by PFB...

tonyb

ken brydson wrote: »

tonyb wrote: »

Maybe a used Anthem D2 might fall from the sky.

Only when ordered by PFB...

LMAO.....yeah, maybe he forgot to tell us he uses air freight, no ground, they just parachute his stuff in.