Preamps for HT and Stereo High End Systems!

Originally Posted by Steve Bruzonsky

For a good sounding still economical home theater and stereo setup, one could match the Parasound Halo JC2 stereo preamp ($4500 MSRP) with home theater bypass with the soon to be here Onkyo THX Ultra2 Plus-certified PR-SC5508 A/V preamp/processor (MSRP $2,199) (likely there will be an Onkyo Pro and also an Integra version for a bit more MSRP):

http://www.twice.com/article/456537-..._Separates.php

"The 3D-ready preamp/processor features 3D-capable HDMI 1.4a inputs and outputs, HQV Reon-VX video processing, 1080p up-scaling, ISF Video Calibration, DLNA 1.5-certified networking, Windows 7 compatibility, and Internet radio capabilities that include VTuner-aggregated stations as well as streaming of Pandora, Rhapsody, Mediafly, Slacker, Napster and Sirius Internet Radio. The component also features Audyssey's new MultEQ XT 32 room-correction technology and Audyssey's Dynamic Surround Expansion (DSX) post-processing technology, which adds front-height speakers and a pair of image-widening left-right speakers to traditional 5.1-speaker setups.

Other features include eight HDMI inputs, dual USBs, two balanced line-level XLR audio inputs, and nine XLR preamp outputs to drive the matching PA-MC5500 nine-channel power amplifier."

Now I absolutely luv my Marantz UD9004 to Theta Six Shooter combo for blu ray and other stuff. Since I had the Integra DTC-9.8 SSP (several year earlier version of the upcoming Onkyo SSP discussed above), I know that my Marantz in my room and system is in my "ears" clearly superior and I am glad to have it. But in many systems and rooms the Onkyo SSP will do just fine and in a bloated economy you don't blow your life savings when you want to upgrade a few years later with a new Onkyo SSP.

Originally Posted by edorr

One thing to keep in mind when going down the HT bypass path is that most preamps with bypass (including the Halo) don't actually bypass the active preamp circuitry - they just fix the output level. In the halo you assign the bypass input. A true HT bypass implementation is passive and works with the preamp switched off. An example of this implementation is the Modwright, but I am sure there are others.

Originally Posted by Steve Bruzonsky

For a good sounding still economical home theater and stereo setup, one could match the Parasound Halo JC2 stereo preamp ($4500 MSRP) with home theater bypass with the soon to be here Onkyo THX Ultra2 Plus-certified PR-SC5508 A/V preamp/processor (MSRP $2,199) (likely there will be an Onkyo Pro and also an Integra version for a bit more MSRP):

http://www.twice.com/article/456537-..._Separates.php

"The 3D-ready preamp/processor features 3D-capable HDMI 1.4a inputs and outputs, HQV Reon-VX video processing, 1080p up-scaling, ISF Video Calibration, DLNA 1.5-certified networking, Windows 7 compatibility, and Internet radio capabilities that include VTuner-aggregated stations as well as streaming of Pandora, Rhapsody, Mediafly, Slacker, Napster and Sirius Internet Radio. The component also features Audyssey's new MultEQ XT 32 room-correction technology and Audyssey's Dynamic Surround Expansion (DSX) post-processing technology, which adds front-height speakers and a pair of image-widening left-right speakers to traditional 5.1-speaker setups.

Other features include eight HDMI inputs, dual USBs, two balanced line-level XLR audio inputs, and nine XLR preamp outputs to drive the matching PA-MC5500 nine-channel power amplifier."

Now I absolutely luv my Marantz UD9004 to Theta Six Shooter combo for blu ray and other stuff. Since I had the Integra DTC-9.8 SSP (several year earlier version of the upcoming Onkyo SSP discussed above), I know that my Marantz in my room and system is in my "ears" clearly superior and I am glad to have it. But in many systems and rooms the Onkyo SSP will do just fine and in a bloated economy you don't blow your life savings when you want to upgrade a few years later with a new Onkyo SSP.

Originally Posted by victor tubeman

The greater the resolution of a system,I would suggest not to use HT bypass but directly connect pre to power amps.This may involve some cable swapping but will reap some sound benefits.As going thru an extra pre amp no matter the cost, cannot improve the signal only degrade.

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson

If you use a HT bypass in a preamp, it is directly connected to the power amp. That is the whole point of it.

Originally Posted by edorr

This would be the case in some implementations, such as the MOdwright. However in others (such as the Halo), the "bypass" actually runs through the active preamp circuitry with fixed output level. The preamp manufacturer will still called it a bypass (which really it is not).

Originally Posted by dave7

I have a Gill Audio Alana Pre that is set up with a special HT input that is always in "bypass" until the Pre is powered up. At that point, the HT input becomes inactive and I can switch between the other inputs as normal.

For movies, I turn on my processor and Player(or cable) and just don't touch the Alana.

David Gill set mine up this way to try to be as true a "bypass" as possible. It works perfectly, and I don't compromise my 2-ch...which is my priority. Even better is that my family has no reason to touch the pre or fiddle with inputs...it's brainlessly simply.

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson

Hmm. Nomenclatural issue? There are many active devices with "bypass" modes, some of which are simply relays and some of which incorporate various amounts of circuitry from simple buffers to full circuits operated at unity-gain. It is unlikely that the L/R output of a mid-range AVR will be compromised by the buffer in a high-quality preamp.

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson

This is ideal but, let me point out, the same can be accomplished with a external switch. Link it to the "power on" of the pre and any pre can do it. Hmmm.... do you think there is a product here?

Originally Posted by dave7

That still put the switch and connections between the pre and the amp though...right?

Originally Posted by Steve Bruzonsky

My ... as a high quality multi-channel preamplifier, input #1 with 5.1 single ended AND 5.1 balanced, and input #2 5.1 single ended. Works great with my Marantz UD9004 Universal player for blu ray, dvd, SACD and DVD-A, whether 2 channel or multi-channel. Works great for CD, too, but I prefer my PS Audio gear into Six Shooter for that.

Originally Posted by OtherSongs

Given your/this thread title of "Preamps for HT and Stereo High End Systems!"...

I own a Bel Canto Pre6 (MC Pre) and am happy with it for both 2 channel stereo, and also for 5.1/7.1 HT sound ((I only do 5.1), but the Pre6 also has 7.1 capability).

From what I've read/IMO, the one other MC pre that's worth checking/hearing is the AR MP1 (also discontinued).

Both the Pre6 and MP1 are discontinued.

I let my high end disc players do the decoding of movies.

16/44.1 is still where things are at for stereo playback.

Odds are large that this won't matter much to you, but it might be of use to a few others who really do listen to the system/music that they have.

With regard to playback of CD audio discs, IMO many cheap CD discs (and maybe SACD?) is still where great 2-channel audio is still at.


Cheers