reciever vs preamp?

TrashyTrucker · October 2010

Hey all,
Need some help again... I kinda know what I want to do already but I have some things I wanted to bounce off your heads.
My local dealer (salesman) has me confused

Either this reciever:
http://www.integrahometheater.com/model.cfm?m=DTR-50.2&class=Receiver&p=i

or this preamp:
http://www.integrahometheater.com/model.cfm?m=DHC-40.2&class=Preamplifier&p=i

To be more specific, I am not aking advice as to which model to select. Ie...Yamaha, denon, HK and on and on.
My question is this:
Do preamplifers have better internal parts which gives them cleaner sound?
Im torn between this: reciever costs more and I will have channels (amps) being idle.(x 4) I already have two Haflers biamped to my SDA SDS 3.1 TL's
And in addition I also have another Hafler and another carver. (at the present I am not amp poor)

Im not sure I even have the room for all this. LOL
But If I do go with the true preamp I will have to cable up on the extra amps. More $$
But will this be a cleaner sound than IF I went with the reciever? The two 50.2 (receiver) or 40.2 (preamp) are pretty much alike except amplification....What do you guys think?

Many thanks if you read all this.
Regards Matt

halo71 · October 2010

If you got the amps already. I would most definitely put your money into a nice preamp. No doubt. I wouldn't say preamps have better components in all cases. I would say they tend to offer better sound though....well in my experience anyways.

cokewithvanilla · October 2010

Are those identical except for the amp section? If you aren't going to use the integrated amp, you'd probably save some money by going with the pre.

punk-roc · October 2010

i'd rather have the preamp if i already had amps i liked.. were i choosing

Jason

mantis · October 2010

I have used the 50.2 and it's a real nice unit. It's not the same exact preamp section as the 50.2 has zone 2 component switching as the 40.2 pre does not. Check over all the features and make sure your not giving something up you would use.

The preamp section of the Integra receivers are fantastic and make for excellent preamps. Not to mention you have the built in amps if you choose to use them for a zone 2 or 3 setup.

Think before you buy.

headrott · October 2010

I have not heard the Integra as a preamp. But, I started with a Denon reciever as my preamp and when I switched to a deditcated preamp the improvement was dramatic. A preamp is the better way to go (IMO) but it's your money and ears.

Greg

cnoat · October 2010

Pre all day

Toolfan66 · October 2010

Pre all day as well....

thuffman03 · October 2010

Preamp. Why spend money on an AVR when you already have amps.

PrazVT · October 2010

*sigh* ... if I knew about all this, I'd have gone that route myself. Next time, next time. surround preamp + kick **** amps. live and learn.

TrashyTrucker · October 2010

Ok guys,
Here's whats up.... This is my humble setup :

Nothing real fancy but performs when called upon. Fronts are 2 Haflers bi amped to the 3.1's. Both haflers are each 250wpc.
Note: look towads the top and I built the rack to accomidate the polk cs350ls
for the center channel. After posting this I forgot to mention that the tape deck (lower left) can be removed. But that STILL will NOT give me enough room for all the amps.
Anyway from one audiophile to another, as you can see I really dont have the room for any more equipment in the DIY rack I built years ago. Really it would be a definate improvement just to upgrade to the receiver (50.2).

But the salesman was explaining that the preamp (40.2) would be "so" much nicer.
If you look at the specs on the reciever (50.2) it has 135wpc x 7. I wont need the 7 because 5 channel would be enough for me. So there is 2 idle amps, I have outboard amps for the front thats 2 more that will be idle. (a total of 4)

The salesman told me I also could get the biggest wattage receiver and biamp the fronts. My estimate would be 140wpc x 9 then bridge the fronts and lose the haflers

. (He wants me to have full 250 watt across the fronts)
Why wont the 50.2 receiver with the bridged haflers for the fronts, sound good? The center and the rears would only be 135wpc.
It would sure be an improvement to what I have now. Even though I crank it up on 2 channel alot. His (salesman) pitch is having those 4 channels idle and that the preamp is built better. The only other alternative I could do besides build another rack is place the satellite recevier outside the center. Perhaps on one of the sda's, but I think that would look ghetto. Not unless you guys think I am ghetto already :eek: LOL I just feel I could benefit more on just upgrading to the receiver and shelf the extra amps (put away) I have for now.

Sorry this is way 2 long. :rolleyes:
thanks again guys,
Matt

TrashyTrucker · October 2010

PrazVT wrote: »

*sigh* ... if I knew about all this, I'd have gone that route myself. Next time, next time. surround preamp + kick **** amps. live and learn.

Hmmm,
We must have posted together. This is the info I need. I guess I could figure other options and use all the amps......

I will do all this modding In my head first.

Matt

TrashyTrucker · October 2010

Ok.....

Did did some more checking and it looks as if I could build on top of what I have already made as a entertainment center. More or less just build another top section to rest on what already is there. I then could remove the center channel speaker out and replace with cdp. That would give me enough room for everything. Not sure what that will look like, but the bottom of the TV will be 48" off the floor! :eek: What you guys think?

I mean I know what you guys said: I already have the amps! I should go preamp right? then mod the rack like aforementioned?
Comeon I need some input please?
Thanks again,

Matt

Joe08867 · October 2010

In my experience with receivers and preamps. I have found that you can get more tailoring out of a pre. You have options for Amplification and are not locked in to one type of amp.

Nothing wrong with a good receiver just not as optioned.

Looking at you setup, I would place the Cable/Satellite receiver and maybe the DVD player above the TV and condense that way. This way your TV won't be over your head when you are sitting on your sofa or chair.

JPSmario · October 2010

While I don't know these particular units, I have always been disappointed by receivers. they have just not sounded as good as the preamps I've had. then there is the flexibility in being able to upgrade the units you want without upgrading everything (want more power? - only the amp). I don't know if your budget is as challenged as mine, but I think its reasonable to presume you'll spend less on a given level of quality on the preamp alone than the cost of a receiver that achieves that same sound quality.

Having spent 12 years in retail sales, one question that always lurks in the back of my mind when evaluating salesman's recomendations is, "how much extra commission will he make on this unit?". In my industry, manufacturers would 'spiff' certain products at certain times, paying the salesman an extra $10, $20, $50, or $100 for selling a specific model. Seems like you can get a great preamp for the price of these recievers...

so maybe this was $.05;)

Good luck with your decision- the journey is reason we do this, right?

pearsall001 · October 2010

A good AVR will more than hold it's own against separate pre.

reciever vs preamp?

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