[gamelover360]

I need a little advice here.


I will be buying a pre amp to pair with my Emotiva MPS-2 7 channel amp, Oppo Blu ray player (Blu rays), and PS3 (gaming). I plan to have the pre amp decode the HD audio codecs, so all I am really interested in is the Digital audio side of the pre amp, not the analogue side.


I don't care about upconversion, as the Oppo will handle that for movies, and I will let my PJ upscale my Tv signal.


I really just wanted a good sounding pre amp that will do a great job with the HD audio codes all through HDMI.



Will I gain anything by getting a more expensive pre pro (Marantz 8003)

over something like the Onkyo 886?


Another general question: Do companies invest much in the digital side of things? Are the DAC's the most important thing in my case?


Thanks.

 

[B&W700guy]

If you are staying digital, I would say, bang for buck, 886.


The new Sherwood 972 Receiver is coming out, then the prepro version of the sherwood by Outlaw. You could also look at the Emutiva, but who knows when this will be out? Also, I would expect more bugs then the Sherwood/Outlaw, but who knows intill they are out.

 

[MichaelJHuman]



Quote:
Originally Posted by gamelover360 /forum/post/16887935


Another general question: Do companies invest much in the digital side of things? Are the DAC's the most important thing in my case?


Thanks.

Some think DACs are important. Some think the Op Amps paired with the DACs are more important. Some feel that DACs are all really good, and that differences are imagined.


There's little proof to any position, IMO

There's some discussion here -

http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/...hp/t43841.html

 

[rdgrimes]



Quote:
Originally Posted by gamelover360 /forum/post/16887935


I really just wanted a good sounding pre amp that will do a great job with the HD audio codes all through HDMI.

The Yamaha RX-V665, at around $350 online, is kind of a no-brainer unless the Onkyo has some feature you can't live without. It's basically just an HDMI switch with audio decoding and a cheap amp. The front end audio processing is more or less identical to the much more expensive AVRs. Plus it does have a sort of an amp if you ever need a backup. If you don't like it you could always return it and get the Onkyo. The Emotive pre/pro looks to be MIA for the foreseeable future.

I'd be really surprised if you could hear a difference between any of these choices in a blind test using hi-res audio.

 

[gamelover360]

Thanks a lot guys for the responses. My general feeling is becoming one that the amp and speakers are the main things, and the pre pro has a pretty basic job to do as far as what I am asking it to do. Thanks again.

 

[Nascar_984]



Quote:
Originally Posted by gamelover360 /forum/post/16887935



Will I gain anything by getting a more expensive pre pro (Marantz 8003)

over something like the Onkyo 886?


Another general question: Do companies invest much in the digital side of things? Are the DAC's the most important thing in my case?


Thanks.

Most equipment today even $500 receivers are designed well and do not have a negative effect. I would look at what features you need first and then decide on a price.