Best HT pre-pro for stereo CD

James Romeyn · « **on:** 22 Dec 2005, 03:59 am »

The best 2-channel stereo digital sources I've heard are the dCS Elgar (don't ask, don't tell price), the circa '04 $10k Wadia DAC/digital preamp w/ remote level, & the current $8k McIntosh DAC/digital preamp w/ remote level. The above McIntosh $5500 HT pre-pro gets about 75-80% of the McIntosh $8k DAC.

If the only criteria is the best possible 2-channel stereo sound for Redbook CD's, what HT pre-pro's are on your short list?

Thanks everyone. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, & Peace to all.....

Marbles · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 Dec 2005, 01:47 pm »

Meridian's latest.

Arcam FMJ AV 9 is pretty steller....the AV 8 can still be had for around $3K used.

Dan Driscoll · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 Dec 2005, 04:15 pm »

Of the pre-pros I've heard, the Bryston SP-1.7. Of the pre-pros I might actually be able to afford, the Audio Refinement Pre-2 DSP.

audioferret · « **Reply #3 on:** 22 Dec 2005, 05:31 pm »

I know it is not for HT, but you should really check out the Outlaw RR2150. At the budget you are hinting at, you can afford it just to have as a two-channel system on the side...

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/rr2150.html

The initial reviews are very impressive.

http://ubb.outlawaudio.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/ubb/get_topic/f/17/t/000036.html

100WPC Stereo

•High performance FM Stereo/FM/AM tuner

•Multiple inputs with separate record output bus

•USB input for playback of streaming audio output from compatible computers

•High quality phono input for both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges

•Processor/equalizer loop

•The only stereo receiver with a subwoofer output that includes selectable, analog bass management

•Front panel “speaker equalization” selector adds a half-octave of bass boost at a choice of frequencies to improve performance with compact bookshelf speakers

•Headphone jack with level control

•Front panel stereo mini-jack input for easy connection to portable devices such as iPod®

at $599.00, I don't think you can beat this.

ted_b · « **Reply #4 on:** 22 Dec 2005, 06:05 pm »

Not to complicate the issue, but:
My setup is a Modwright SWL 9.0 SE tubed stereo preamp with HT bypass. That way you use the digital pre-pro of your choice and use a tremendous stereo preamp for what its intended, with no real downside. The HT bypass is exactly that, all front l/r signal goes throught the Modwright, processed or not. Now you can choose a pre-pro that does the 5.1 or 7.1 thing without worrying if enough thought was given to the analog stereo section.

James Romeyn · « **Reply #5 on:** 23 Dec 2005, 03:15 am »

Thanks everyone.

Hey Marbles, that Meridian you mentioned is about $16k no?

jgubman · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 Dec 2005, 03:27 am »

I'll second the Meridian, I've got a G68ADV, which is about $9k MSRP, they also make cheaper versions of the G68.

It's a great DAC (no pure analog paths, so always feed it a digital input) and awesome Room Correction built in.

I can try to bring it to Big B's if we ever have another one of those shootouts.

James Romeyn · « **Reply #7 on:** 23 Dec 2005, 03:30 am »

OOOOOOOOOoooooooo---aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh, that would be sweeet hearing it next to his majesty's Wadia!!!!!!! I'll buy lunch, dinner, breakfast, whatever.....