Pre/pro?

unc2701
unc2701 Posts: 3,587
edited May 2007 in Electronics
OK, I'm looking for ideas on an older Pre/pro. My HT setup has been seriously downsized/ revamped, so what I'm looking for is a little different.

1)I can only do 5.1, but DTS w/ a coaxial input is required.
2)HDCD decoding would be nice, but not required
3)All my video switching is being handled by an outboard matrix switch so I don't need DVI, HDMI or even component.
4)I want something a little more musical. Yes, a pre-pro is a compromise, but this is going to be pushing my bryston 9b w/ the LSiC and LSi9's up front, LC60i's for surrounds.

So, here's what I've come up with, but chime in if you can think of some other older gear that fits the bill:

Proceed AVP-S
B&k Ref 20
Classe SSP-25
Krell HTS 5.1

So if you've got experience w/ any of those or have something else in mind, throw it out there.
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
Post edited by unc2701 on
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Comments

  • haimoc
    haimoc Posts: 1,031
    edited May 2007
    Add Arcam to the list...

    Arcam AVP700
    http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homeproc&1180993447

    Arcam AV9
    http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homeproc&1182117359
    -?¿-
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  • JimBRICK
    JimBRICK Posts: 1,543
    edited May 2007
    that Classe stuff looks AMAZING
    2 CHANNEL
    Speaker - Klipsch Heresy II
    Under construction
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited May 2007
    haimoc wrote: »
    Add Arcam to the list...

    Arcam AVP700
    http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homeproc&1180993447

    Arcam AV9
    http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homeproc&1182117359

    Don't suppose you know the model numbers of some older Arcam stuff? My goal is high-end gear that's getting a little dated because it's just 5.1... I'm aiming for about $1000 or less.
    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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  • haimoc
    haimoc Posts: 1,031
    edited May 2007
    I am sorry... I believe Arcam AVP700 or AV8 is one of the old and current model. I don't think there is any older model. With this budget, I would get Rotel 1068 or Rotel 1066..
    -?¿-
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited May 2007
    Ahhh- yeah, the older Rotel's should be on the list, too. Good call!
    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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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited May 2007
    5.1 only and and musical is the description of the Acurus Act 3. It was $2K new, has been selling for 500 to 700 used.
    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 May 2007
    madmax wrote: »
    5.1 only and and musical is the description of the Acurus Act 3. It was $2K new, has been selling for 500 to 700 used.
    madmax

    I like it! I should mention that I'll have a B&K CT600 controlling everything (thus no need for video switching), so the fact that it's got an IR port & RS-232 is nice.

    There's one on the 'gon for $375 that's looking like a winner, but I'm still open to suggestions.
    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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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited May 2007
    I had one of these: http://cgi.ebay.com/B-K-Components-AVP4090-Preamplifier_W0QQitemZ170108928028QQihZ007QQcategoryZ12050QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

    Sounds pretty good for music as well, although gain was a bit low.
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  • haimoc
    haimoc Posts: 1,031
    edited May 2007
    http://cgi.videogon.com/cgi-bin/cl.pl?prea51ch&1181957176

    Dorokusai has a Rotel Pre/Pro for sale...
    -?¿-
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited May 2007
    I own the Proceed AVP-S and really like the functionality and musicality. This unit provides a lot of tweaking flexibility but does lack some of the newer technology (HDMI for one). Sure works for me.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • sickicw
    sickicw Posts: 456
    edited May 2007
    unc2701 wrote: »
    3)All my video switching is being handled by an outboard matrix switch so I don't need DVI, HDMI or even component.

    What about audio over HDMI? right now is the worst time to buy a new pre-pro because none of them can take a digital signal from the new high def audio formats.... i bought a denon receiver that i use until the pre-pros catch up. Sounds really really nice with dolbly digital hd or dolbly digital plus.
    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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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited May 2007
    sickicw wrote: »
    What about audio over HDMI? right now is the worst time to buy a new pre-pro because none of them can take a digital signal from the new high def audio formats.... i bought a denon receiver that i use until the pre-pros catch up. Sounds really really nice with dolbly digital hd or dolbly digital plus.

    I agree.
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited May 2007
    meh. Like I said, I'm stuck w/ 5.1 and bad 5.1 at that (rears are a pair of in-ceilings are in the kitchen behind the den). Eventually, I'll finish the walk up attic and everything will be done right, but as of right now there's no need for me to get something with good processing. I do want good two channel abilities, so that's why I'm looking for the dated, high quality gear. Thanks for all the tips, though!

    I think I'm gonna wait & see what happens w/ a Proceed AVP that's on ebay right now, then fall back to Doro's Rotel.
    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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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited May 2007
    The Proceed has great 2CH abilities. You can control it so it is totally extraneous to HT. Good Luck.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • Bill Ayotte
    Bill Ayotte Posts: 1,860
    edited May 2007
    How about a Sunfire Theater Grand I or II? They are in the price range, and quite nice looking as well. I love my TG I......I may try and upgrade to a TG IV after I get this job......If I were buying a TG now, I would go for a TG III, they are a couple hundred more, but the sound quality difference is pretty apparent...That Rotel is nice too, and I think NAD makes a Pre/Pro as well...
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  • ESavinon
    ESavinon Posts: 3,066
    edited May 2007
    Check out halcro,theta,lexicon and anthem.
    SRT For Life; SDA Forever!

    The SRT SEISMIC System:
    Four main satellite speakers, six powered subs, two dedicated for LFE channel, two center speakers for over/under screen placement and three Control Centers. Amaze your friends, terrorize your neighbors, seize the audio bragging rights for your state. Go ahead, buy it; you only go around once.
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  • MADGSF
    MADGSF Posts: 603
    edited May 2007
    In reference to the B&K Ref 20, I have read the Ref 30 sounds better and would still be well below your limit. Every once in a while a Cary audio pre will show up on audiogon but would be more money. Never heard one but they are supposed to be very musical.
    AVR: Elite VSX-21TXH
    Amplifier: B&K 7250 Series ii
    Misc: Velodyne SMS-1
    Mains: RTi-10
    Center: CSi-5
    Rear: Boston DSi460
    Sub: SVS PC-Ultra
    TV: Panasonic TC-P58V10
    DVD: Panasonic DMP-BD60K
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  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited May 2007
    Sunfire: Maybe... I'm not a big fan, but I can't rule them out... added to the short list.
    Halcro/ Theta : Yeah I wish :)
    Lexicon: There seems to be a gap w/ Lexicon. The old ones are cludgy, and the newer ones are expensive- no sweet spot here
    Anthem: The AVM 20 is the oldest/ cheapest model of theirs I can find... it's kinda overkill for what i have in mine
    Ref 20 vs Ref 30: I've been meaning to read up on the differences- I assumed that they're pretty close & ref 30 just adds features, but it sounds like I should look into that.

    Thanks for all the help!
    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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  • ESavinon
    ESavinon Posts: 3,066
    edited May 2007
    you can add rotel and parasound to your list.
    SRT For Life; SDA Forever!

    The SRT SEISMIC System:
    Four main satellite speakers, six powered subs, two dedicated for LFE channel, two center speakers for over/under screen placement and three Control Centers. Amaze your friends, terrorize your neighbors, seize the audio bragging rights for your state. Go ahead, buy it; you only go around once.
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