selecting a pre-pro

dave shepard

I had thought I had started a thread here about getting a pre-pro but in looking for it I see I must have been mistaken but am sure I haven't recieved back a reply one way or the other to a PM sent. I am currently looking at getting a pre-pro and need assistance in what to look for and what the pros and cons between them might be. I am looking at the following units. The Denon will be placed in a seperate set-up I have in another room

Rotel 1098
Arcam FMJ-AV8
Anthem D1
Para (removed because for the extra $$ IMO can't justify)

All the units are located at different stores and are (closest 1.5hr away) and I have aquired a relationship with all stores and am recieving discounts on them the Arcam is discounted the most by the store. I will be running it fom my current speaker set-up with the Sherbourn 7/2100A amp but am intertaning the idea of a speaker upgrade in the future. The material is mostly movies 80% 20% 2 channel but the more I get back into 2 channel (like I use too when I was younger) the more I seem to like it but still the biggest will be movies. I'm looking to get a more revieling detailed sound, the most for the money of course. Has anyone done any side-by-sides? any thoughts?

Thanks
Dave

Early B.

Just my $0.02, but in lieu of a pre/pro right now, consider putting your money into building a separate 2-channel system if you have the space, especially since you plan to listen to music more often. It's tough to marry HT and 2-channel and achieve the best sound quality in both systems. You'll have issues with speaker placement, bass management, type of speakers, quality of sources, etc.

Crazed

I have the 1098 and find it to be an awesome pre -- especially with the upgraded firmware; Rotel updates are available regularly. Inputs and outputs abound; however, no digital video. The screen may seem like a gadget, but I find it very useful with DVD-A and changing processor settings without turning on the TV to which it is attached.

Its setup takes a bit of time, but that's because it's infinately flexible. The remote is fine; Rotel also publishes well thought out codes for third-party remotes on its web site (like for my Pronto), a nice touch.

I think I'm going to keep it for a while...

mantis

Nice system there crazed.

As per our conversaton,

I'm pulling for the rsp1068 and using the extra money you would have spent on a pre and going for the Denon dvd 3910. Buy your self some really good high quality interconnects and your off to a new level of performance.

The 1098 is a killer pre , for the speakers down the road, that maybe a better choice but the extra cost will be hard to justify today. Hell down the road Rotel may and will have new preamps out to go with there new digital amps.

Dan

Crazed

Thanks for the compliment Dan. When life gets to be too much, sitting in the dark spinning LPs is better than Prozac.

I concur with the 1068 recommendation as another option. I was being literal and only considering the offered choices. It would also help if I could hear more about the rest of the system.:cool: