Moving into Pre- Amp world OR not??

64met
64met Posts: 63
edited February 2009 in Electronics
Hey guys,

Well, I have a $2k budget and I am itching to upgrade my receiver. I am currently using the Rti10's/FXi3/ CSi5 for my speakers and over 60% of my HT viewing is movies. My external amp is an outlaw 7 X 200. So, I have narrowed my choices to:

Marantz AV8003 OR the Denon 4308ci? I realize each are different in terms of their use and therein lies my dilimena. The AV market simply provides much more bang for your buck IMO then separates... however, with separates you will more than likely enjoy better audio. So, I can pick up each within my budget and am torn which way to go. I have listened to the Denon and it was IMO VERY GOOD. Marantz, on the other hand I am depending on reviews as I can't find anyone local to demo it. Any ideas/suggestions?

Thxs in advance!
Dedicated HT: JVC RS-2 Proj; Carada 104' fixed screen; Yamaha RXZ-7; Outlaw 7 X 200; Toshiba HDXA2; Blu Ray Panasonic 30; Polk Rti10's;
Csi5; Fxi3 and Outlaw LFM1X Sub; RTi Universal RC
Post edited by 64met on
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Comments

  • del44
    del44 Posts: 686
    edited January 2009
    With a $2,000 budget you're kinda on the line. If you want all the bells and whistles get a receiver.:rolleyes: Since you already have a power amp you'll be bypassing the amps in the receiver. My .02, look for a good pre pro in your price range. There's alot of them out there.
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  • Marty913
    Marty913 Posts: 760
    edited January 2009
    del44 wrote: »
    With a $2,000 budget you're kinda on the line. If you want all the bells and whistles get a receiver.:rolleyes: Since you already have a power amp you'll be bypassing the amps in the receiver. My .02, look for a good pre pro in your price range. There's alot of them out there.

    +1 here. I'm a huge fan of receivers as preamps for people wanting to get into separates or on a tight budget. You however already have a first class amplifier so buying a real processor is a valid consideration. IF you want to stick with the receiver as processor route (nothing wrong with that), my recommendation would be to look at NAD and Outlaw receivers along with the Denon. If you want to go processor, I would also include NAD and Outlaw in your search.
    Sony 60'' SXRD 1080p
    Amp = Carver AV-705THX 5-Channel
    Processor = NAD T747
    Panasonic BD35 Blu-Ray
    Main = SDA-1C Studio with RD0s, spikes, XO rebuild, rings, I/C upgrade
    Center=Polk CS10, Surround = Athena Dipoles, Sub= Boston 12HO
    Music/Video Streaming = Netgear NEO550
    TT = Audio Technica
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited January 2009
    not sure if this would fit your 2k budget but it might be worth looking into

    B&K Reference 70 pre amp http://www.bkcomp.com/products/preamp-receivers/?tx_ttproducts_pi1[backPID]=22&tx_ttproducts_pi1[product]=11&cHash=4a85173845
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited January 2009
    Hi 64 nice to see you again. Well I looked up the Marantz & it looks like a great machine, so does the B & K that Al posted. It looks like it has all the latest & greatest features that you would get in a receiver.

    I really think you should go for a prepro this time around. Keep up posted on what you get.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • 64met
    64met Posts: 63
    edited January 2009
    That B&K looks sweet! Don't think it can be had in the 2k range though! Might check it out though at a local dealer... guess u never know.
    Dedicated HT: JVC RS-2 Proj; Carada 104' fixed screen; Yamaha RXZ-7; Outlaw 7 X 200; Toshiba HDXA2; Blu Ray Panasonic 30; Polk Rti10's;
    Csi5; Fxi3 and Outlaw LFM1X Sub; RTi Universal RC
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited January 2009
    yeah i just looked. i think the B&K is closer to 3k :eek:

    in the next couple of months Outlaw audio is suppose to release their new 997 pre amp that should decode all high res audio formats as well as have HDMI. outlaw while not high end, does offer a lot of bang for your $
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • Phil Dawson
    Phil Dawson Posts: 288
    edited February 2009
    There are a couple of B&K ref 50 pre-pro in the FM. I have a ref 10 upgraded to a 50 and it sounds great. The 50s are under $1000 - $800 or $900 hundred I think. Outlaw also has a pre-pro in that price range new. With the money you save you can have us al over for a party to listen.
    Good luck, Phil

    SRA-SDS Front
    2 cs400i Center
    SRS-SDA Rear
    Techniques 1200 TT
    Mac MR71 Tuna
    Lexicon rt-20 uni player
    HK citation pre for TT
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