[Dan_ed]

Hi all,

I'm looking to replace my Rotel RSX-1065 AVR soon. I'm looking to go with just a good quality pre/proc and run seperate amps. I'd like to get HDMI and more component inputs. Any other connections I need now days?  I'm not really fixed on a budget until I get some more knowledge on this subject so let's just say $1500 for now. I haven't looked seriously at AV for a few years so I've got some catching up to do. I'm planning to add Blue-ray, now that that issue seems to have been settled. Only other source is a DirecTv HD satellite receiver.

Speakers are Aerial 10t's up front powered by Classe CA-301, Paradigm CC and ADP's for rears. Also have a pair of Accapella La Campanellas that may get used if I go 7.1 or just want to fill in the back.

Thanks!

[s_cervin]

I'm looking at the Onkyo Pro SC885 and Integra 9.8.  Both have HDMI 1.3 and decode DTS-HD master audio. 

[ajzepp]

There aren't many choices in terms of pre/pros with HDMI and processing of the new high rez formats....the Integra 9.8 and....??  There are a few receivers that might fit what you want to do, from the usual suspects...Denon, Yamaha, Marantz, Onkyo, etc.

I'm sort of in the same boat you are. I have a five year old Outlaw 950 pre/pro, and I'm wanting to go to HDMI and get DD True HD and DTS-MA in house. I'm probably going to get one of the less expensive receivers (with preouts) and use it for a year, then upgrade to a higher end pre/pro next year...I just hope there are some nice offerings by then.

[ted_b]

I'm looking at the Onkyo Pro SC885 and Integra 9.8.  Both have HDMI 1.3 and decode DTS-HD master audio. 

The Integra 9.8 is the same as the Onkyo Pro 885.  The 885 has a PURE audio button and a flip down door.  Other than that, they are the same piece.

I own the 885 and love it.  I initially bought it as a temp solution; it replaces a Cary Cinema 11 (mainly because Cary bait-n-switched on their advanced audio codec decoding commitments).  It is the heart of what is going to be an all-SP Tech 5.1 system (and I also use Alon Centris side and rear surrounds for 7.1 movie setup).  It drives McCormack DNA-500, DNA-1 and DNA-125 amps, (along with Anthem PVA5 for those Alons), so it is in some very good company, and is no slouch.  I use it for HDMI-based everything (Blu-Ray with TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, Oppo 980 with DSD and PCM hirez DVD-Audio and SACD decoding, Modwright Denon 3910 5.1 analog support, hidef cable, etc.).  It's street price is $1400-1600.

It's no longer a temp solution.  It's a bargain if there ever was one.

[Toka]

I'd wait a bit until more HD audio devices are released (mid-year maybe). All the players, both big and small, have new boxes in the works.

[Big Red Machine]

I'm looking at the Onkyo Pro SC885 and Integra 9.8.  Both have HDMI 1.3 and decode DTS-HD master audio. 

I highly recommend the 885.  Works fantastically.

Forgot, check out ggvideo.com for great price.  Call them for the best price.

[Dan_ed]

Thanks for the feedback!  Sounds like the Integra/Onkyo is popular.  Thinking this through some more, I wonder if I really need HDMI in the preamp. I could run all of the video feeds directly to the display and only run the audio to the preamp. Any reason this I may not want to do that?

[ted_b]

Thanks for the feedback!  Sounds like the Integra/Onkyo is popular.  Thinking this through some more, I wonder if I really need HDMI in the preamp. I could run all of the video feeds directly to the display and only run the audio to the preamp. Any reason this I may not want to do that?

Well, two. 
1)  advanced audio codecs like TrueHD and DTS-HD-MA do not run on coax or toslink, just analog or HDMI.
2)  same for DVD-Audio and SACD; the DSD processing occurs either in the player or across HDMI 1.2+.

Net/net, so if analog is ok with you then fine, but you are then totally reliant on the player's onboard decoding capability (historically the lesser quality, but not always) which leaves DTS-HD-Master Audio out of the picture for now, and reduces your options with players (some being bitstream only).