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Help me pick a SSP prepro with a $1500 budget

1329 Views 12 Replies 7 Participants Last post by tsb, Jul 22, 2009

FoSheezy

Discussion Starter · Jul 13, 2009

I am looking to get a prepro to go with my Emotiva amps(XPA-3, 2x UPA-2)

My budget is around $1500 and I am considering the following:

Emotiva UMC-1

Marantz AV-8003

Outlaw 997

Onkyo PR-885 or 886

Integra 9.8 or 9.9

I am coming from a Marantz SR7002. My sources are Oppo BDP-83, PS3, Wii, XBOX 360, Comcast Cable

This has been an awesome source: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=940065

Basically, these are what I am looking for:

pretty much bug free(no LFE problems, or pops with new bitstreamed codecs, ect)
A good room EQ calibration
Ability to decode HD codecs-not a must, but would be nice
Component to HDMI upconversion-doesnt have to be fancy upconversion(most sources are 1080p)

It seems like most new prepros offer all of the above so I am wondering is there a difference in sound quality(perhaps due to DACs or any other components) or is this one of those " you would be hard-pressed to tell a difference" kind of things.

Any recommendations and/or reasons why you would choose or have chosen a certain pre/pro?

Again the budget is under $1600 max. and used or refurb unts are an option to stay under budget.

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1 - 13 of 13 Posts

Knucklehead90

· #2 · Jul 13, 2009

I've read many times that the Onkyo/Integra AVPs are not that good at analog. I don't share that opinion. I do own an Onkyo SC885 and find it does a very good job -- but then I seldom use analog inputs.

If you can wait a month (or two) the Emotiva UMC-1 might just be everything you've ever wanted in an AVP.

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Planescape

· #3 · Jul 13, 2009

As pointed out already some of those processors are not out but if you had to pick today I would go for the integra/onkyo.

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FoSheezy

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jul 17, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by FoSheezy /forum/post/16819171

It seems like most new prepros offer all of the above so I am wondering is there a difference in sound quality(perhaps due to DACs or any other components) or is this one of those " you would be hard-pressed to tell a difference" kind of things.

Any thoughts on this? What makes the different units sound different?

The SR7002 has the same TI-32bit Digital Signal Processing chip. Does this mean they would sound the same?

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dan711

· #5 · Jul 18, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by FoSheezy /forum/post/16844154

Any thoughts on this? What makes the different units sound different?

The SR7002 has the same TI-32bit Digital Signal Processing chip. Does this mean they would sound the same?

What makes the different units sound different? I couldn't say, I just know that over the years I've owned many receivers and they all had a different color of sound to them. Some just slightly from others, but different never the less. If you like the way your Marantz sounds there's a good chance you may like the av-8003. I like the Marantz sound. Of the others you have mentioned, I have never listened to an Onkyo or Integra. I owned the Outlaw 990 once-it just didn't do it for me. Who knows when the UMC-1 will be out. It seems that that piece has been a couple of months away from distribution for what seems to be about 2 years.

Sometimes you just have to flip a coin and go with a unit instead of driving yourself nuts worrying about which unit will sound best. People that give opinions, myself included, are just giving opinions, thats it.

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Bill Mac

· #6 · Jul 18, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by Planescape /forum/post/16819262

As pointed out already some of those processors are not out but if you had to pick today I would go for the integra/onkyo.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Onkyopro /forum/post/16845379

Most of the time people make up these differences in sound to sound more important or to think that they have "golden ears". This is bad in the high end where every component is night and day difference. I would pick a product that has the features you want since I have yet to find a component out side of the high end that is designed poorly.

Hey Doug,

Wow deja vu

. It's like being in the same place at the same time

.

Bill

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FoSheezy

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 18, 2009

I think I have it down to getting a used AV8003 now or wait another year(2 months at a time) for the UMC-1.

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tsb

· #8 · Jul 18, 2009

the outlaw has trinnov and that seems to be getting great reviews

you may want to consider it

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Kal Rubinson

· #9 · Jul 18, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by tsb /forum/post/16846558

the outlaw has trinnov and that seems to be getting great reviews

Really? A product that has not been released. Can you provide a link to any such reviews?

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FoSheezy

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jul 21, 2009

I know I was on the Marantz for a while but I think Im gonna go with the Onkyo SC886.

I like the idea of being able to apply postprocessing on bitsreamed audio. Plus a refurb unit is about $700 less than the Marantz. Anyone have a good source to get the 886(other than shoponk and A4L), please PM me.

Probably going to order in the next couple days, unless I change my mind again...

Im just waiting for some stuff to sell on ebay so I can make my purchase.

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Bill Mac

· #11 · Jul 21, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by FoSheezy /forum/post/16864872

I know I was on the Marantz for a while but I think Im gonna go with the Onkyo SC886.

I like the idea of being able to apply postprocessing on bitsreamed audio. Plus a refurb unit is about $700 less than the Marantz. Anyone have a good source to get the 886(other than shoponk and A4L), please PM me.

Probably going to order in the next couple days, unless I change my mind again...

Im just waiting for some stuff to sell on ebay so I can make my purchase.

Are you looking for a refurb 886 or "A" stock? If you are looking at buying the 886 refurbished shoponkyo is the way to go IMO. Not that A4L is not a good choice but why not deal direct with Onkyo.

I had a AV8003 on order about six months ago but then I saw the deal from shoponkyo on the 885. The 885 was almost a third of the cost of the AV8003 so it was an easy choice

. I then went with the 886 which is a great choice when you factor in the additional cost of the AV8003. But either one would be a great choice though.

Bill

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FoSheezy

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jul 22, 2009

Just placed my order from Shoponkyo for the 866. I've been reading and deciding long enough. I think I will be happy with it. I will report my findings.

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tsb

· #13 · Jul 22, 2009

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson /forum/post/16846659

Really? A product that has not been released. Can you provide a link to any such reviews?

I was referring to trinnov not the outlaw unit

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