[china]

Hello AudioCircle,

  I hope that this finds everyone in the best of health and spirits and that all is well with you and yours.

  I am after information about pre-amplifiers-processors and would like recommendations.

  I am looking at the Athem D2V or AVM 50V and/or the Conrad Johnson Met 1 to go with the NuForce multi-channel amplifier and the Oppo SE Player that I have at present.

  My main interest is in blu ray and sacd.

  As always, all the best.





Ralph Lomax

[Phil A]

Budget?  Bryston's will probably be out in a few months but won't be cheap.  Integra and Marantz I'm sure won't be far behind.  It depends on preferences (i.e. features vs. sonic quality - some brands are better at features) too.  Newer processors just coming out may have features like Dolby Pro Logic iiz.  If that is over interest to you may want to hold off at least a couple of months.

[Kenobi]

If blu-ray and SACD is your thing, you may want to consider the Onkyo PRSC 5507 (5508 available in Aug 10) or the Integra DHC 80.1 (80.2 shortly).  Currently, I have the Onkyo TXNR 5007, the equivalent of the above pre/pro w/ a 9channel amp section which I am currently using as pre/pro only to drive my Nuforce MCH3SE-C7 amp.  I have the Oppo BDP 83 (regular version) to handle the software media.  I can tell you that for HT and SACD (via HDMI), the sound far surpasses my old Proceed AVP-2.

Good luck,

Kenobi

[ctviggen]

If blu-ray and SACD is your thing, you may want to consider the Onkyo PRSC 5507 (5508 available in Aug 10) or the Integra DHC 80.1 (80.2 shortly).  Currently, I have the Onkyo TXNR 5007, the equivalent of the above pre/pro w/ a 9channel amp section which I am currently using as pre/pro only to drive my Nuforce MCH3SE-C7 amp.  I have the Oppo BDP 83 (regular version) to handle the software media.  I can tell you that for HT and SACD (via HDMI), the sound far surpasses my old Proceed AVP-2.

Good luck,

Kenobi

Not sure how great of a comparison that is, considering the AVP2 couldn't work with HDMI or the latest HD sources.  Did you perform an apples to apples comparison, such as DTS five channel versus DTS five channel?  Using the same connectors?  That would be a valid comparison, and I think one where the AVP2 would perform quite well. 

[Mr Peabody]

From a pure music stand point the MET would be the best bet in my opinion, it would have superior sonic quality over the likes of Integra.  However, it's a pure 5-channel analog preamp, no processing, so you would need to be sure the Oppo will provide ample speaker adjustments and parameters.  I've not played with the Oppo but have heard it lacks in that department.  If the processor was going to be used for movies and you have a lot of video sources not sure the MET would be the way to go though.  McCormack offers a solid state version.

For both HT with all the HD audio processing, HDMI ins/outs, networking etc. you might want to look at the Marantz AV8003 which will decode DSD via HDMI, quite a feature list and performance for the money.

If the budget and want best of both worlds how about the Anthem D1?

[Bigload]

If blu-ray and SACD is your thing, you may want to consider the Onkyo PRSC 5507 (5508 available in Aug 10) or the Integra DHC 80.1 (80.2 shortly).  Currently, I have the Onkyo TXNR 5007, the equivalent of the above pre/pro w/ a 9channel amp section which I am currently using as pre/pro only to drive my Nuforce MCH3SE-C7 amp.  I have the Oppo BDP 83 (regular version) to handle the software media.  I can tell you that for HT and SACD (via HDMI), the sound far surpasses my old Proceed AVP-2.

Good luck,

Kenobi

Similar set up to mine except I am using 2 AVA amps.  I do run my rear surrounds from the AVR.  I am very pleased with the Onkyo TX-NR5007 and you can find killer deals on them as well.  I have also been curious as to whether a true pre-pro would produce better audio.  But since I am pretty well pleased now, I have not pressed it.  Here is a data sheet on the Onkyo.  Good luck in your search.

http://www.intl.onkyo.com/downloads/product_info/pdf/tx-nr5007_ex_leaflet.pdf

[ctviggen]

I'm looking at the Marantz AV8003, but it's still a stretch.  No one makes what I want, which is a processor that excels in audio but that lacks video processing (save for perhaps overlay of data) and amps.  I'd like to add an external video processor, but all receivers or HT processors add video processing. 

[John Casler]

If blu-ray and SACD is your thing, you may want to consider the Onkyo PRSC 5507 (5508 available in Aug 10) or the Integra DHC 80.1 (80.2 shortly).  Currently, I have the Onkyo TXNR 5007, the equivalent of the above pre/pro w/ a 9channel amp section which I am currently using as pre/pro only to drive my Nuforce MCH3SE-C7 amp.  I have the Oppo BDP 83 (regular version) to handle the software media.  I can tell you that for HT and SACD (via HDMI), the sound far surpasses my old Proceed AVP-2.

Good luck,

Kenobi

As an ONKYO Pro Dealer I place a LOT of the 5507's.

The INTEGRA 80.1 is almost the same thing if you can't find the 5507.

I assume both are available in China.

[tvyankee]

For $699.00 i don't think you can go wrong with this even if you didn't like it you have 30 days to return it.

Good Luck.

http://emotiva.com/umc1.shtm

[John Casler]

I'm looking at the Marantz AV8003, but it's still a stretch.  No one makes what I want, which is a processor that excels in audio but that lacks video processing (save for perhaps overlay of data) and amps.  I'd like to add an external video processor, but all receivers or HT processors add video processing.

Bob,

If you don't need 7.1inputs, the BRYSTON SP1.7 is like that, and has virtually the same preamp section as the BP25/26 but NO video section.

But it only has 5.1 analog inputs (while still having 7.1 outs for processed 7.1)

[Mr Peabody]

Conrad Johnson's MET-1 and the McCormack are analog multichannel preamps with no video processing.