[randog]

I'll be auditioning some really cool 2-channel preamps next month. The problem is, 2 out of 3 don't have HT bypass and none have enough inputs for future additions.

I'm currently using an Outlaw 1050 for my surround duty and an Odyssey Khartago for my 2-channel amplification. I'm using a classic McIntosh preamp to fill the void until after my auditions.

I'm not overly enamored with the Outlaw preamp sound and I was thinking how uncomplicated life would be if I could find a receiver with an audiophile-quality 2-channel preamp. I know about the big names but am unwilling to pay more than $1500 or so (used). Otherwise I'll stick with my original plan of finding a nice preamp I can HT bypass.

I'm not really hip on Denon or Sony, but have been intrigued by the likes of Arcam, Anthem, B&K, McIntosh, etc. Has anyone heard an A/V receiver with a preamp of audiophile quality when ported out to a pretty nice amp?

I should mention that I don't need all the newest HT bells and whistles, but I would like 6.1-channel capabilities.

I see that used B&K AVR-307's go for around $1500, but haven't heard one firsthand.

Thanks for your inputs,
Randog

[wreilly]

Check out the AVA Trancendance 7, it has an HT bypass and this is one of the best Preamps Iv ever heard.

[Rob Babcock]

No one has heard one yet, technically, but the IRD Sabai should be out pretty soon; it's basically a remote version of the Purist with the addition of an HT pass-thru.  Should sound like the Purist, or so I imagine.  I've been anxiously awaiting this one myself, although what I really want is something like the McCormack MAP1 but for less than the $2.5K that piece fetches.

I don't think you're gonna get anything better Denon or Onk for the price you're willing to pay, if you go with a reciever.

[randog]

No one has heard one yet, technically, but the IRD Sabai should be out pretty soon; it's basically a remote version of the Purist with the addition of an HT pass-thru.  Should sound like the Purist, or so I imagine.  I've been anxiously awaiting this one myself, although what I really want is something like the McCormack MAP1 but for less than the $2.5K that piece fetches.

I don't think you're gonna get anything better Denon or Onk for the price you're willing to pay, if you go with a reciever.

Even for used??? I'm not interested in mass cookie-cutter stuff. Been there, done that.

Yea, Rob, you and I are the ones who were urging Curt towards a multi-channel preamp last summer. The Purest is one of my auditions. If it wins my heart, I'll probably wait for the Sabai but I'm getting impatient.  

My other auditions are with tubes... should be fun.

[Rob Babcock]

Yeah, we pretty much are looking for the same thing.  I'd really love a preamp with at least 2 MC inputs, and 3 would be better.  I'd use one to run an HT rec in to use with movies, one for my Denon Universal player and someday maybe down the road the 3rd input for a TriP processor.

If you're not particulary happy with the Outlaw, I'm not sure what else you'd try in that price range.  I don't know of anything used that would have MC inputs that might be better than what you've got.

I'll concede I've been waiting to see Denons new models; I want to take a listen to whatever replaces the 4802R and see if it would fill the bill for MC music.