Dedicated pre or receiver for home theater

mikeyb128

Questions is simple, how much performance can be gained in a home theater set up by using a pre-processor vs a receiver? I realize receivers are cheaper and you get more features for the Money. I am going on year 2 with my pioneer elite sc 65, and I've been toying with the idea of a marantz or integra pre. All help and comments much appreciated!

tonyb

All depends pal. You have a nice receiver there, you'd need a really nice pre/pro to do better. Marantz does make a nice totl pre/pro though.

Personally I think the real step up comes from the higher end pre/pros, like the Classe or Cary. Too high priced at retail but used are well within reach.

falconcry72

Also depends on the amp you'll be using and how hard to drive your speakers are. For certain speakers, you could gain performance just by adding the right external amp to an existing receiver.

In either case, if you add a crap amp, you probably won't see much improvement. If you add an amp that outperforms your receiver's powering, plus a pre/pro that outperforms your receiver's processing, then you'll see double the improvement.

I'm definitely digging my marantz + bryston combo, but I've had good results pairing this marantz with parasound, rotel, and wyred4sound as well.

tonyb

True, the OP hasn't said anything about what amp he's thinking about....or budget for either.

Upstatemax

What are you hoping to gain?

Better music performance?

If you want better music performance, I have been blown away with my fathers new NAD T787 receiver.

Just the right amount of bells and whistles, and SOLID build with a large focus on music performance. Trust me, it's no slouch with HT either.

The only major downside to the NAD is its limitations with multi-room setups.

mikeyb128

It's not that I'm not happy with my current set up. Maybe it's the upgrade bug, have always wondered if I was missing something when using a receiver as a preamp. The huge gain I saw in my 2 channel rig when I got a dedicated 2 channel pre has me wondering. My theater: lsim 706, 705, 2 pairs of lsifx, 2 svs pb ultras. Elite sc 65, sunfire tga7401, oppo bdp93. Ps audio perfect wave cables on amp and Panamax 5400. MIT avt3 speaker cables on front 3 and audioquest Columbia interconnects. Audio quest nrg2 on other components, MIT z chords on the subs.

mikeyb128

want something to pair nicely with the sunfire. My budget is about 2000$. For theater only as I have a 2 channel system. Occasional blu Ray concerts and multi channel sacds. Maybe swap those audioquest Columbias out for something better?

tonyb

Missing something as in the HT or using the HT for music ? Strictly HT, I don't think you'd gain too much with a pre/pro, though a quality pre/pro will have more ways to tailor the sound. Now if we are talking music played on the same system, to me that's where the bigger benefits lay. I'm partial to the Cary cinema 12, used around 2500. Other choices abound though.

The AQ Columbia's ? Why not try an MIT shotgun IC in there since you have MIT cables for the speakers ?

mikeyb128

I have heard f1nut say time and time again that MIT work best when paired with each other. That's another thing to Consider. Upgrade the front 3 interconnects.

falconcry72

One big advantage to going with a pre/pro is that you can use balanced interconnects... to both your amp and your subs. In many cases this will yield a lower noise floor and higher S/N ratio. Now that the Marantz av8802 is out, you can get an 8801 for 1500ish. Given the speakers and amp involved, I'd definitely do it if I were you. No doubt.

mikeyb128

Been looking at that exact model Actually. Also just ordered a pair of MIT magnum s3 interconnects from their clearance center for 360$. Pretty excited to try a pair of high end cables. They have some killer deals on right now. I've been watching a marantz av7005 on eBay right now, seems it may be a lateral move though, except it has better dacs in it (burr brown) which my receiver doesn't have, so if I can bid on it cheap it may be worth it.

EndersShadow

The 8801 is a good AVR, but I'd honestly pony up for the 7702 to get the newer features like Atmos and whatnot.

Price is close between the two if you know the right people....

falconcry72

mikeyb128 wrote: »

Been looking at that exact model Actually. Also just ordered a pair of MIT magnum s3 interconnects from their clearance center for 360$. Pretty excited to try a pair of high end cables. They have some killer deals on right now. I've been watching a marantz av7005 on eBay right now, seems it may be a lateral move though, except it has better dacs in it (burr brown) which my receiver doesn't have, so if I can bid on it cheap it may be worth it.

So funny you mention the 7005 on ebay!!! Listen to this: I helped my dad sell a bunch of stuff on ebay last week. Every buyer paid except the 7005 winner who backed out cuz he said he bid by mistake... whatever, no big deal. Well now my dad wants to relist the 7005, but there's another one on ebay now (probably the one you're looking at), and the guy stole his ad from the ad I wrote last week!!! Seriously, word for frickin' word! He did use his own pictures though, but still! First they buyer doesn't pay, now there's a copycat ad up... super weird.

ANYWAY... if you want a mint 7005 with original box and accessories, PM me and I'll give you a great deal. Maybe it was all fate...

Also, it will not be a lateral move, trust me. It will get you to 90% of the 8801 but for less than half the price. It's a great piece... and I would highly recommend you take advantage of the balanced outputs. Big difference. Cheers.

mikeyb128

Awesome! And that whole eBay thing sounds fishy! Will pm when I can figure it out on my iPhone.

mikeyb128

Pm'd.. I think lol

falconcry72

received.

tonyb

Mikey, that's a nice pre/pro and from a good egg. Take him up on his offer, you won't regret it.

Mikey081057

I have a AV7701 and am very satisfied with it. I would give an appendage to update it to the new version.(AV7702?) Separated and HT receivers don;t even compare.

falconcry72

Mikey081057 wrote: »

I have a AV7701 and am very satisfied with it. I would give an appendage to update it to the new version.(AV7702?) Separated and HT receivers don;t even compare.

Be careful which appendage you give up... don't know that I'd spring for a new Marantz model AV unit until the industry gets their 4k act together.

Mikey081057

falconcry72 wrote: »

Mikey081057 wrote: »

I have a AV7701 and am very satisfied with it. I would give an appendage to update it to the new version.(AV7702?) Separated and HT receivers don;t even compare.

Be careful which appendage you give up... don't know that I'd spring for a new Marantz model AV unit until the industry gets their 4k act together.

OK you got me on that one... LOL... I am not ready for 4K yet so probably a good thing..

EndersShadow

falconcry72 wrote: »

Mikey081057 wrote: »

I have a AV7701 and am very satisfied with it. I would give an appendage to update it to the new version.(AV7702?) Separated and HT receivers don;t even compare.

Be careful which appendage you give up... don't know that I'd spring for a new Marantz model AV unit until the industry gets their 4k act together.

Eh, forget 4k honestly......

I'd be more in it for the audio codec's you add....

Heck I'm likely snagging a 7702 later this year. Depending on how close it is till next years models get revealed I may wait, but not likely...

falconcry72

nvm.

mikeyb128

I have to give falconcry a big thanks for trying to help me get the 7005, due to the poor exchange rate here in Canada we couldn't make a deal. His price was Awesome! This only has to do with our poor dollar. I have decided to get the 7702 from a local dealer For not much more. I am now future proofed, and have warranty. Also some MIT magnum m3 interconnects are on the way. My wallet hurts! I'm stoked for these upgrades!

mikeyb128

Also will be nice to see how antimode and xt32 compare.

falconcry72

mikeyb128 wrote: »

I have to give falconcry a big thanks for trying to help me get the 7005, due to the poor exchange rate here in Canada we couldn't make a deal. His price was Awesome! This only has to do with our poor dollar. I have decided to get the 7702 from a local dealer For not much more. I am now future proofed, and have warranty. Also some MIT magnum m3 interconnects are on the way. My wallet hurts! I'm stoked for these upgrades!

No worries, man! XT32 is awesome BTW, especially for dual subs.

Good luck with the new toy!