First Pre-Pro: Help me Decide

Freak When C

I was going to go all out and get a really high end preamp processor. But then I figured why not first get a half-way decent used pre-pro and wait to see what comes out over the next six months or so. So I have it down to these two:

Emo LMC-1

Rotel RMB 1068

On the used market (eBay, A'gon) the LMC-1 can be had for just under $300 while Rotel RSP-1068 is in the $600 range. I think these would both do the trick but the Rotel would match the amp I just bought, the RMB-1085. But is it worth twice the cost of the LMC-1 from Emo?

I was very close to plunking down big buck for a Lexicon pre-pro, either an MC-8 or an MC-12. But have decided to wait and see what others have to say about the new Emo UMC-1 when it's released. Plus I heard Lexicon (rumors) might have a new competitor released later this year. So for now I just want a processor to hold me over. So out of the two I listed above, which one would you go with and why?

Hilbert

I know nothing about either of those pieces---or most other pieces, for that matter---but I wonder why, if you're looking for a temporary expedient, you don't go for a used avr with preouts? The link below is to a Yamaha 663 on Audiogon, seller asking $339. Not great, but not bad, and a sure thing.


http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homeproc&1251158326&/Yamaha-RX-V663-brand-new--neve

Hilbert

Should have added: shortcoming of 663 is that is has only 2 HDMI inputs. If it matters.

Freak When C

Hilbert wrote: »

I know nothing about either of those pieces---or most other pieces, for that matter---but I wonder why, if you're looking for a temporary expedient, you don't go for a used avr with preouts? The link below is to a Yamaha 663 on Audiogon, seller asking $339. Not great, but not bad, and a sure thing.


http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homeproc&1251158326&/Yamaha-RX-V663-brand-new--neve

Good question. I guess because I'm all into separates and with shipping ($20) + paypal fee ($10) the cost for that Yammy is no less than how much I could buy it NEW. Plus I'm leery of the HDMI switching thingy and want to wait to see if it gets ironed out before making the leap into those kind of machines. And, to be honest, that kind of looks to me like a receiver you'd get with a HTIB package.

I guess I want something not mass marketed (I did say I was looking at a Lexicon pre-pro). Also, I don't have BDP and if I do get one I'm totally OK with connecting it via analog inputs and running HDMI for video to my HD display.

Big Dawg

I also can't help you choose between those two, but here are a couple very nice B&K pre-processors that may fill your needs. The first is a bit older, but solid and cheap. The second is much more current, and looks like a nice deal.

Neither use hdmi, though

http://cgi.ebay.com/B-K-components-Preamplifier-Pre-Amplifier_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ65Q3a1Q7c66Q3a4Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a200QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem2ea62baa0bQQitemZ200356375051QQptZLHQ5fDefaultDomainQ5f0QQsalenotsupported

http://cgi.ebay.com/B-K-Reference-50-Processor-Pre-Amp-THX-DTS-Dolby_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ65Q3a1Q7c66Q3a4Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a0Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a200QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem1e5766ed63QQitemZ130315382115QQptZLHQ5fDefaultDomainQ5f0QQsalenotsupported

Good luck with whatever you do...

Dawg

Freak When C

I looked at that B&K Ref 50. There was an S2 version of it I was outbid on earlier. Would this, being the first version, be just as nice? Better than the S2?

Freak When C

The Ref 50 doesn't do Dolby PLIIx but the S2 version does. The other two prepro's I listed above both do Dolby PLIIx. So that's kind of a deal-breaker for the Ref 50 S1 version.

I'd really like to know what the Rotel RSP-1086 has over the Emo LMC-1. The Rotel does look much cooler but if that's it, that aint worth $300. Oh, and the LMC-1 comes with an external HDMI switcher.

So far then the score is: Emo 1, Rotel 0.

Shicks18

Seems to me you already have your mind made up on what you want =P The LMC is a great piece.

dpowell

Take a look at Pioneer's Elite series AVR's. They are awesome as Pre's for home theater.

Freak When C

This was what I went with. Offered $250 and seller accepted (shipping included). Seller informed me it comes with the Emo external HDMI switcher, also.

Still thinking about the RSP-1086. Looks much better than the LMC-1 and matches my amp. I could buy aand try them both and sell the one I don't like. Would think I could easily sell the LMC-1 for what I paid after seeing what THIS ONE went for.

comfortablycurt

dpowell wrote: »

Take a look at Pioneer's Elite series AVR's. They are awesome as Pre's for home theater.

I'd second this suggestion. I've looked around at all of the pre-pro's on the market, and without spending very big money on one, none of them can match the features of the Pioneer Elites.



I see you already snagged an Emo though, so the point is mute now. Enjoy.:)

Freak When C

For some reason a receiver doesn't do it for me. I don't seem to want an AVR due to the fact I already bought a multi-channel amp and I don't feel I'd be happy with mass-marketed gear like Onkyo, Pioneer, Yamaha, etc.

I reckon it's highly unlikely since I'm going to hear from someone who's owned both the LMC-1 and the RSP-1086. I might be the first!

Sherardp

Very simple, pick the one you feel has all the requirements to suit your needs. I'd suggest the Pioneer Elite SC-09 then an 07. If you want a killer pre/pro go Anthem.

Freak When C

Anthem pre/pro units are a little out of my price range. I would love to have the AVM-50, but for my first pre/pro I'm trying to stay reasonable with price and $750 - $800 is the limit I've set. Perhaps down the road I'll upgrade but I feel I don't need to go all out at first. And this may just be temporary until Emo has had the UMC-1 out for a while.

I really wish I could find some info comparing the LMC-1 to the Rotel RSP-1068. I read about all the little bugs the LMC-1 has HERE. Of course I found this after I already bought the unit. But I see there's an Emo Update for the LMC-1 so perhaps that will keep me happy for a while.

Anyone currently using or have used the Rotel RSP-1068 pre/pro I'd like to hear your comments. Unlike the LMC-1 the RSP-1068 is not a discontinued product which lends me to thinking I made a mistake in buying the Emo unit.

cfrizz

I know that Outlaw Audio is coming out with a new prepro sometime this year. It might be worth checking out.

cnh

If you want a pre-pro that's got HDMI and processing for Blu-rays. You're going to have to pony up some bucks because, frankly, pre-pro separates lag behind AVRs in their PROCESSING abilities because they cater to a higher end market and more to stereophiles than the home theater crowd. Hence those MASS manufacturers are often the innovators in HDMI and blu-ray sound processing and video upscaling....or at least they're 'ahead' of the separates boys who sometimes even borrow their 'parts' for their higher end offerings. If you're talking TWO channel it is ANOTHER matter but for HT I'd put any number of flagship offerings by Onkyo, Denon, and Pioneer up against the big boys in processing abilities.

Just my 2 cents!

cnh

Kex

I'm not sure if you made a mistake buying the LMC-1, but if there is one good thing about Emotiva, it is that there seems to be a very active used market with favorable pricing for sellers, so you can probably sell it if you don't like it and lose little or nothing.

I did not like the LMC-1. It seemed cheap and tacky to me, in fit and quality of finish, and did not perform any better than an entry level harman/kardon receiver that cost half as much at the time. In fact, the h/k had more features, except for the absence of pre-outs (and a pre without pre-outs is not going to happen!). The remote is not garbage, but it is not a high quality unit either, and has at least one incredible design flaw. In any case, since you have it, give it a try, and maybe you'll like it, or even love it. Others have said it's a great unit.

Otherwise, if you want another suggestion, the discontinued NAD T163 has been available new, with full warranty, from this authorized dealer on eBay, for $550 (reduced from about $1,500, before being discontinued recently). I have bought from him without issues, and was able to confirm that he is listed as an authorized dealer. The T163 will cross convert analog video formats, IIRC, including HDTV capable component (limited to 720p/1080i AFIK) but does not have any HDMI ability. Then again, the HDMI switching on the LMC-1 is of very limited use IMO if you use a decent universal remote (and the NAD comes with one that is not too shabby).

http://cgi.ebay.com/nad-T163-7-1-av-home-theater-preamplifier-processor_W0QQitemZ290279970268QQcmdZViewItemQQptZReceivers_Tuners?hash=item439608d5dc&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1234%7C293%3A2%7C294%3A50
http://www.nadelectronics.com/img/datasheets/NAD_T163.pdf

It has some very useful, real life convenience features IMO. The T175 that replaced it, with HDMI capability, is priced normally at about $2,000, or $1,300 refurbished!

Freak When C

Thanks for the replies and suggestions. HDMI and processing for Blu-rays is not a requirement at this time. There's no pre/pro units that I know of that have those features within my price range. Yeah, I could get an AVR with preouts that have those features, but I just don't want to go that route for now. I'm stubborn, I know. :rolleyes:

The NAD T163 looks very interesting. Where were you last night with this info when I had an 8% coupon for eBay and before I bought the LMC-1?

Nobody has responded with thoughts or comments regarding the Rotel RSP-1068. The NAD T163 looks like it would be a comparable competitor to the Rotel. And both units are about the same price (around $600 with shipping). However, the NAD is factory refurbished with a one year warranty, the Rotel would be bought used, with no warranty. That's telling me the NAD T163 may be the better buy.

I realize I keep bringing up the RSP-1068 and again, my stubbornness is showing through. The reason I'm leaning towards the Rotel is because I have the matching amp (RMB-1085). I reckon I'm wanting someone to say, "yeah the RSP-1068 is da bomb, buy that one." But is it wrong to want the pre-pro that matches? Would it be wrong to buy the matching pre if there's no real advantage over the other units? Or would the NAD be a no-brainer for most of you?

Kex

Freak When C wrote: »

... Where were you last night with this info when I had an 8% coupon for eBay and before I bought the LMC-1? ...

Having wild and wanton "secks", okay?! Sorry, but I missed that this was a refurbished unit, but you caught it yourself.

nikolas812

I have no experience with any of the other processors you mentioned.

But I have owned the LMC-1. And loved it for the most part. While it could of had a little more adjustablility. It did everything I needed it to do in my system at the time. I also thought the build quality was very impressive for its price point. The remote did leave a little to be desired. But despite a few short comings. The dang thing sounded fabulous IMO.

I'll be interested to hear what you think of it after you get it.

Be sure to let us know...




Nick

heiney9

Freak When C wrote: »

For some reason a receiver doesn't do it for me. I don't seem to want an AVR due to the fact I already bought a multi-channel amp and I don't feel I'd be happy with mass-marketed gear like Onkyo, Pioneer, Yamaha, etc.

I reckon it's highly unlikely since I'm going to hear from someone who's owned both the LMC-1 and the RSP-1086. I might be the first!

Well, I doubt the Emo would be any worse or any better as it's mass marketed to the same segment your buying in. Emo is entry level HT gear and I would bet the Pioneer SC-07 would perform better as a pre/pro.

Personally, I would have choosen the Rotel ahs it has a history of being very good gear. Emo......is too new and way to many fanboy's to really know what you're getting.

Enjoy

H9

warlocks1

Buy a used Lexicon MC1 if you don't need video switching. I have owned B&K reference 30, Adcom 830???, forgot the model number, Pioneer Elite AVR81 receiver using preouts and Denon 3805 both with and without a seperate amp. In my opinion, nothing can touch the Lexicon. I upgraded from a MC1 to a MC4 and didn't notice a difference in sound, but needed the component video switching and 5.1 inputs.

I woud also suggest looking for a used Proceed or Theta processor.

I am sure the Emotiva and Outlaws are nice, but they are no Lexicons.

kniowsk1

I agree with heiney9. I have heard the Pioneer SC-07 and it is fantastic sounding.