Pre-amp. Old highend or new lowend?

McLoki
McLoki Posts: 5,231
edited December 2005 in Electronics
I am looking at pre-amps now (will be looking for awhile until my wife forgets about me purchasing some LSi15's. :D ). As I look and read reviews I have a couple of main choices that I keep coming back to....

Requirements:
    At least 5.1 - 7.1 would be nice, but not really planning on going to it in the near future
    Bass management - must be able to cross over speakers at 40, 60, and 80hz. More choices would be better, but it has to at least have those 3.
    must sound pretty good for stereo (2 channel) listening. Not looking for a tube pre, just something that doesn't sound like crap with CD's
    Must be under $1,000 (or pretty damn close)

About all I can find are either

Outlaws. (the 950 for about $450 or the 990 (b-stock) for just a touch over $1,000., they also have a new pre out that is the replacement for the 950)

I also have a number of choices for old pre-amps that used to cost $4,000-$5,000 but are now going in the $800-$950 range. Older Proceeds Meridians, Carry Audio, etc.

My question is, just going on sound for 5.1 (DTS and DD) and stereo listening - which would sound better?

Michael
Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
Post edited by McLoki on
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Comments

  • criverajr
    criverajr Posts: 1,675
    edited December 2005
    McLoki,

    I am in the same boat for a second system, I looked at a Anthem AV2, B&K Ref30, and all of the outlaw stuff. You have alot of choices. Take a look at the new Emotiva on AV123.com. This comes with a built in 20 watt intergrated amp for 2 channel work. The outlaw 970 pre seems to be getting some good reviews and has 2 dvi inputs. You could go many different ways, take your time and have fun.

    CRj
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited December 2005
    An older proceed, B&K or Acurus Act 3 would be my choice. I and a friend both have the Act 3. If you went with the Act 3 you would want the bass management module. Of course none of these do more than 5.1.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited December 2005
    +1 on the B&K ref30 and you might be able to score a series 1 ref 50 for a little over budget (say $1100). yeah, I'm still regretting dumping it...
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,093
    edited December 2005
    I had a Thule preamp that sounded pretty good with all the bells and whistles.....

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited December 2005
    If it were me, I would probably check out the new Outlaw 970. It seems like a killer deal for $699. Based on their reputation and the first review I've seen http://www.avrev.com/equip/outlaw_970_7075/index.html, it is worth considering.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • sickicw
    sickicw Posts: 456
    edited December 2005
    Want my advise? I would wait until January to see what companies anounce pre-amps or receivers with Dolby True HD decoding and High Def THS. I hear the licenses for the new decoders will be issued starting january and so we should see some products by spring when all the new next generation HD hardware roll out...
    Speakers: LSi9 x 2, LSic, LSiFX x 2, Velodyne HGS-15
    Amps & Power: Rockford Fosgate T8004 x 3, Cascade Audio APS-55 power supplies x 5, and 1 farad capacitor.
    Electronics: Denon 3806, Toshiba HD-A1, & Sony KDL46XBR2
    Accessories: Anti-IC interconnects, 8 Mondo Traps from Realtraps, and Salamander furniture.
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  • faster100
    faster100 Posts: 6,124
    edited December 2005
    funny, on the end of the review they have a hyperlink for outlaw and it takes you to Denon usa.com :D
    MY HT RIG:
    Sherwood p-965
    Sherwood sd871 dvd
    Rotel 1075 amp x5
    LSI15 mains
    LsiC center
    LSIfx surround backs
    Lsi7 side surrounds
    SVS pb12/plus2

    2 Channel Rig:

    nad 1020 Pre-amp
    Rotel 1080 stereo amp
    Polk sda 2B
    kenwood grunt Tuner
    realistic lab 450 TT
    Signal cable IC
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