Need suggestion for a good prepro..

jolax73

Guys,

I need recommendation for a good prepro for my HT. I am looking to build one and I already have the following:

Polk Lsi7
Polk LsiC (to be obtained)
Polk LsiFX (to be obtained)
XPA-5 (to be obtained)
Epik Sentinel (to be obtained)

Was thinking about getting the UMC-1 from Emotiva or the Outlaw but wondering if there is anything good under $500.
thanks,

WilliamM2

You would have to go used to find anything under $500, or use an AVR with pre-outs.

I'm beggining to think the UMC-1 and the 997 will never actually be released. The UMC is over a year late so far. The Outlaw is based on the Sherwood 972 and supposed to be released 60 days after it. The 972 was supposed to be released in the summer of 2007, no sign of it yet.

Seems like only the Japanese can actually release a pre with HDMI that actually works.

obieone

If you plan on going Bluray eventually, you're probably gonna have to go a bit higher,-provided if you want the latest HD decoders?

Shicks18

Best bet as far as bluray goes is to get a player that decodes it and send it via analog.

I have heard mixed reviews about some of Emotiva's pre's in terms of music fidelity. I would definitely hold off on being the first "proud" owner of the UMC-1 until you hear positive, non-biased, reviews of the pre/pro.

BlueFox

Shicks18 wrote: »

Best bet as far as bluray goes is to get a player that decodes it and send it via analog.

Even better is to send it as LPCM over HDMI to the AVR.

Shicks18

True... thats what I actually do with my Marantz. But if he was strictly speaking in terms of pre/pro's only, and not avr's, then its more cost-effective to find a pre/pro without any HDMI. Depending on his television he could split the video feeds to the TV and audio to the pre.

McLoki

Outlaw 997 has been delayed until end of year but they are now carrying Onkyo....

If you do not need HDMi inputs - this would be an excellent choice for under 1k... Rotel 1098

jolax73

I do need HDMI output for my tv. What about NAD, Yamaha or Denon? Any good one? Maybe an AVR with preout is fine too? Any specific model you guys recommend?

jolax73

BlueFox wrote: »

Even better is to send it as LPCM over HDMI to the AVR.

Polkazoid,

What is LPCM? Sorry for my poor knowlegde on termination......

apphd

LPCM=
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_pulse_code_modulation

Have you decided on an amp yet? As I mentioned here, if you can wait (maybe a long one) a package deal may be avail. when their proc. is released.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1118629&postcount=66

While I'm not too sure how good a deal this is, it shows the tendency of some companies to offer some package discounts. This also indicates about how long you may need to wait for an Outlaw or Emo offering with all the latest and greatest.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87594

You may be better off getting an entery level AVR with pre outs to pair up with an amp and get your feet wet with that to wait out the Outlaw or Emo release and see how good they really are. Also would probably have a better chance at used or B stock processors from other manufactures and including the Outlaw and Emo with all the current bells and whistles a little later in their life cycles.
just my .02

jolax73

I have decided to go with XPA-5 and since no UMC-1 yet, I was thinking of getting a cheap AVR with pre-out. Any recommended model for cheap AVR?

obieone

The Pioneer Elite VSX-21txh has preouts, and it's $700 @ BB/ Magnolia(In store only?)
The BB website doesn't list the HD decoders, BUT, Pioneers does, so I'd say your safe.

apphd

jolax73 wrote: »

I have decided to go with XPA-5 and since no UMC-1 yet, I was thinking of getting a cheap AVR with pre-out. Any recommended model for cheap AVR?

These are becoming scarce $399 to your door:
http://www.jr.com/harman-kardon/pe/HK_AVR254/

Or: http://www.shoponkyo.com/detail.cfm?productid=TX-SR706&modelid=65&group_id=1&detail=1&ext_war=1 join Club Onkyo and get 10% off.

http://http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR4002/Marantz/SR4002-receiver-80w-x-7ch-HDMI-home-theater-surround/1.html

http://http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKTXSR806B/Onkyo/TX-SR806-THX-Ultra2-130w-x-7ch-HDMI-806-Receiver-BLACK-FREE-SHIP-/1.html

Or if you can find a Pioneer VSX-1018AH-K or Yamaha RX-V663.

jolax73

How do you tell if those AVR has the pre-outs? Also since my set up is 5.1 and most of those recommended AVR are 7.1, will that affect my configuration setup?

apphd

Most will list in the features or the specs that they have pre outs. But I usually will find a photo of the back and look, because as of late many will claim pre outs but it may only be for a sub, or zone 2, not a full compliment of 5.1/7.1 pre outs. If you are only planning on a 5.1 there may be a few more options out there. But I think that it would be few that have pre outs AND the ability to do HD audio, but I'm not sure about that.

For some examples:
http://http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR4002/Marantz/SR4002-receiver-80w-x-7ch-HDMI-home-theater-surround/1.html scroll down to: Pre Amp out this lists 8Ch.
Or going the other way: SUB only
http://http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/4859.asp?ProductName=AVR%2D1910%3A+7%2E1+CH+A%2FV+Home+Theater+Multi%2DSource%2FMulti%2DZone+Receiver#

http://manuals.harman.com/HK/HOM/Quick%20Start%20Guide/HK_AVR254RearPnl.pdf Full 7.1 pre outs

royalty

onkyo sr706 has pre-outs and they can be had for around 400

Face

The 706 makes a great pre/pro.

hearingimpared

NAD T-163 pre/pro

McLoki

hearingimpared wrote: »

NAD T-163 pre/pro

The NAD T-163 does not match really well with the LSi series speakers. (at least in my system) Of course, you could always modify it....

I can say the Rotel 1066 (and I assume the 1068) matches very well (and for about the same price as the T-163). I always wish I would have gone that direction....

Oh well - another player is in my future at some point anyway. (I can only avoid HD-Audio for so long)

Michael

jolax73

Mcloki,
When you said the NAD T-163 does match really well with the Lsi, does it mean in terms of the sound quality?

McLoki

Not at all (from a clarity - sound quality perspective) and some do love the NAD and LSi combo. I use my system for mostly home theater though, and the laid back NAD sound combined with the laid back LSi sound was just to much laid back for an engaging home theater (imo). I think something more neutral to brite would sound better with the LSi's. (to my tastes anyway) I think the NAD setup would be awesome with an RTiA or paradigm setup though.....

All comes down to what you are looking for.

Michael

jolax73

someone in AVSforum recommended me with the Onkyo TX-SR806 and said to try first without using an external amp. What do you think? Will that onkyo be able to drive my Lsi7 wonderfully?

dane_peterson

If you want to run your LSis on an AVR, I'd recommend going with Pioneer Elite with ICE amps. Onkyos run hot in the first place, and would be pushed pretty hard with LSis in all corners.
Otherwise the 706 would work well as a Pre/Pro. Or you could check out any of the HK receivers. (247 or above for HDMI to carry audio)

Face

You may be ok with LSi7's, but I wouldn't with any other LSi speaker.

McLoki

jolax73 wrote: »

someone in AVSforum recommended me with the Onkyo TX-SR806 and said to try first without using an external amp. What do you think? Will that onkyo be able to drive my Lsi7 wonderfully?

Does the 806 have pre-outs? If so it is an ok suggestion.... It will certainly run the LSi7's. (wonderfully may be a strech, but I am sure it will run them)

As you start adding other LSi spekers, you may want to check into an amp for them though.

jolax73

Guys, someone in AVSforum recommend me to get this preamp: Onkyo PRC-SC886

What do you guys think? How big of a difference is this prepro + XPA-5 compare to the Onkyo TX_Sr806 (AVR) in terms of sound quality?

apphd

Here is some reading for you. I did not read the thread but there may be some Emo amp owners that run these 2 combos commenting in there somewhere.

http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=preamps&action=display&thread=5460