HT processor as a preamp
erniejade
Posts: 6,321
I meet some new local audio people over the weekend. One of them was using an older pioneer elite receiver for a preamp with a McIntosh Amp. I asked why instead of using a regular preamp and he stated because of the room correction processing in the Pioneer. He showed me the difference between flat and via the processor. I was qute suprised how well the room correction worked.
I stayed and listened for a bit and I did not find anything missing or sounding off. It sounded quite good actually!
Any other 2 channel people using a HT receiver or a room correction device? Because my den is messed up I am thinking of trying my SC-27 in there as a pre and see if it helps. I know a lot of people for 2 channel do not like any type of correction but, when a company like GIK says they cant help........ I figure why not give it a shot.
I stayed and listened for a bit and I did not find anything missing or sounding off. It sounded quite good actually!
Any other 2 channel people using a HT receiver or a room correction device? Because my den is messed up I am thinking of trying my SC-27 in there as a pre and see if it helps. I know a lot of people for 2 channel do not like any type of correction but, when a company like GIK says they cant help........ I figure why not give it a shot.
Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
Comments
-
Ern, try it and see. I do the same thing only out of necessity because I have a dual purpose system. However in 2 channel, I run everything direct bypassing any room correction or processing which to my ears sounds better. If given a choice, I'd run a separate pre for the musical part as I still believe that's the optimal way.
I know you have some issues with that small room so some processing may be beneficial to you. Only one way to find out, right ?
I might add, I've been a proponent of using older outdated pre/pro's as SS musical preamps. Especially the older totl ones like Proceed, Classe, B&k, Anthem, Cary, etc.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 -
Have you considered buying a minidsp since it lets you auto calibrate things the way YOU like. You can use the regular 2 x 4 to run stereo subs as well.
And it's only 140 and I've got a USB mic you could borrow to help with making your adjustments w REW."....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
A receiver is still a pretty "noisy" device to use as a two channel preamp. If I was interested in using room correction for stereo, I'd go with a home theater processor again. The Marantz I had was pretty good for that purpose. While the Pioneer Elite receiver I have is great for home theater use, it's not very good for two channel use even with room correction applied. Actually, it works better in pure direct mode for two channel use, and then it sounds fine. Nothing exceptional though.
-
Thanks all. I do have Jriver but, I also use sacd and a turntable so jriver would help with flac and dsd but not with the rest of the system.
Tony, that is exactly what I was thinking. Try the pioneer, if it helps look for an older tol.
Outside of the HT, I haven't used any kind of dsp or processor.
EndersShadow, I will look into the minidsp. Can i put it bewtween my AR preamp and the amp? For that price, its cheaper then I would have spent for a used receiver or HT type preamp with audyssey in it.Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's. -
Thanks all. I do have Jriver but, I also use sacd and a turntable so jriver would help with flac and dsd but not with the rest of the system.
Tony, that is exactly what I was thinking. Try the pioneer, if it helps look for an older tol.
Outside of the HT, I haven't used any kind of dsp or processor.
EndersShadow, I will look into the minidsp. Can i put it bewtween my AR preamp and the amp? For that price, its cheaper then I would have spent for a used receiver or HT type preamp with audyssey in it.
That's exactly where you put it
. They also have models that handle things digitally (in and out) so head over there and see what you want.
"....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
I looked up a video on the minidsp. This is going to sound like a dumb question, since it converts the input signal to digital and then back to analog, would sound be better or worse with my tube preamp or that wont even make a difference if I had tube or SS?Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
-
Not a dumb question but I don't know the answer to be honest. I used one for my sub before I got the as-eq1.
I'd say try it and if it doesn't work you can sell it easy. DIY guys in hometheatershack and avs eat these up.
If it's something you want to try PM me as I was going to post mine for sale here soon and I could save you some on the price and shipping. Plus I've got a 12v power cable for it already that I'd send."....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
Enders, this is one of the things I love about this place. PM coming.Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
