I have been looking into my best options for a pre-pro to replace an Onkyo Pro SC-886. I would greatly prefer a pre/pro, but given the limited options available, would consider an AVR if it was the best choice/value. As far as pre-pros, I've pondered the Integra 80.3, and the Marantz AV-7005, but had to rule it out due to lack of XT32. I also need something that I can depend for an extended number of years, so being up to date with current features is very important. And while 4k video is quite a ways away, I would be concerned that not at least having a pass through might force me to upgrade before I wanted to. In the end, performance, and reliability are the key factors.
The situation has now been complicated by the failure of my fifteen year old amplifier previously used for the front left and right channel mains. I do have an additional five channel Sunfire amplifier, but that leaves me without ampliification for two surround channels. In a perfect world, if there was an AVR with preamp performance comparable to something along the lines of the 80.3, I could use two of its channels of amplification to power the remaining two surround channels,and use my five channel Sunfire for the mains, center and primary surrounds. The amplification from the receiver would have to be substantial though, because, while my room is not that large, my large speakers are inefficient and require a great deal of power to reach realistic levels for movies. I would need something on the order of 150wpc into 4 ohms, minimum. That would save me buying an additional stand alone two channel amp.
Please note that the pre/pro or AVR purchased will be used strictly for home theater. Music is dealt with elsewhere. I would really like to have Airplay and access to internet feeds like Pandora, if possible, but that isn't critical.So, given the constraints above, what would you buy? And again, my budget is up to $2,500.00 but if I can get the same performance and features for less, that would be great. Any recommendations, expertise or assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
John
The situation has now been complicated by the failure of my fifteen year old amplifier previously used for the front left and right channel mains. I do have an additional five channel Sunfire amplifier, but that leaves me without ampliification for two surround channels. In a perfect world, if there was an AVR with preamp performance comparable to something along the lines of the 80.3, I could use two of its channels of amplification to power the remaining two surround channels,and use my five channel Sunfire for the mains, center and primary surrounds. The amplification from the receiver would have to be substantial though, because, while my room is not that large, my large speakers are inefficient and require a great deal of power to reach realistic levels for movies. I would need something on the order of 150wpc into 4 ohms, minimum. That would save me buying an additional stand alone two channel amp.
Please note that the pre/pro or AVR purchased will be used strictly for home theater. Music is dealt with elsewhere. I would really like to have Airplay and access to internet feeds like Pandora, if possible, but that isn't critical.So, given the constraints above, what would you buy? And again, my budget is up to $2,500.00 but if I can get the same performance and features for less, that would be great. Any recommendations, expertise or assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
John
. The current close out pricing of the 4311 is roughly half of your $2500 budget.
including both of the last 2 pioneer flagships (59 and 09), and also currently have a denon 5800 in my wife's kingdom... while the susano remains the power/connectivity king, i wouldn't trade my a100 for one...
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. So I'll also jump on the 4311 band wagon as it has been a trouble free excellent sounding prepro. Maybe one of these days I'll connect all my speakers to the 4311 to see how it sounds. The one big advantage of using an AVR as a prepro is if your amp craps out. All you have to do is recable and get right back to business 
