Whats a good A/V preamp?

[mrbowtie]

Just like the title says Im looking for a good audio/video preamp. Curently I have a Carver CT-28V but Ive been thinkin about tryin something new.... what is everyones opinion?

[Yamaha1]

The Yamaha CX-1000 is an excellent unit, its good on audio, good on video and has a superb phono section.

[bully]

Me, too. I'd like to know what some Dolby Digital preamps are to use with the amps I've aquired over time for just such a use in the HT system.

[Yamaha1]

If looking for old HT amps to be used as pre, I recommend Yamaha RXV-800/1000/1200 or the higher end RXV-3300 or Z1.

[HomerJ]

A real 2 channel preamp will beat a HT/Surround AV preamp any day.
I have a Lexicon DC1, a highly regarded processor. It is terriffic on movies/surround; transparent, the effects hang in mid air. But running 2 channel stereo through it is just not as good as the Meridian 201 preamp I go through.
My solution is to use both and manually change the cables from one preamp to the other as needed.

[rchua77]

Why not consider the Audio Refinement Pre5? I used to own one and it wasnt bad for a 5.1 preamp and sounded quite good as a 2 channel preamp as well.

[Duane]

A real 2 channel preamp will beat a HT/Surround AV preamp any day.
I have a Lexicon DC1, a highly regarded processor. It is terriffic on movies/surround; transparent, the effects hang in mid air. But running 2 channel stereo through it is just not as good as the Meridian 201 preamp I go through.
My solution is to use both and manually change the cables from one preamp to the other as needed.

I have to disagree with your initial statement. I use an EAD that is renowned for it's 2 channel sound.

[HomerJ]

That may be so but I have not come accross any that do.

[House de Kris]

I, too, don't buy into the theory that 2-ch preamps always beat out AV preamps. I used my Theta Casablanca for over a year in 2-ch mode before I got around to using the multi-channel AV aspect of it and always felt it was the best 2-ch preamp I could buy. Just my opinion.

[mrbowtie]

Im happy with how my carver sounds in 2 channel mode. But Im always thinkin about swaping this for that... I had an adcom GTP-600 actually a couple of them... never got one that ALL the features worked right. I think that if I could get one of the Adcoms that actually worked right I would really like it as a a/v preamp but Im scared of em now.


Ive never really used any Yamaha equip... you dont hear it talked about much in the hi-fi world so I had just stayed away from it. I might look into them. Im not familiar with audio refinement so id be interested in hearing more about them.

[Yamaha1]

Ive never really used any Yamaha equip... you dont hear it talked about much in the hi-fi world so I had just stayed away from it. I might look into them. Im not familiar with audio refinement so id be interested in hearing more about them.

Take a look around this forum and you will get plenty of info on Yamaha, so called Hi Fi world is full of snobs so for them, no Japanese brand would do.

[mrbowtie]

I agree there are alot of audio gear snobs out there who will only support one brand of gear. I personally dont share that sentament... I dont own 2 pieces that are the same brand.

Is the Yamaha gear as sturdy built as some of the other brands? Basically are my chances of buying a used piece and it working good or bad?

[Yamaha1]

I am sure the other Yamaha vets with way more experience will chime in here, I have been selling and collecting Yamaha gear since late 80s, I can tell you that Yamaha uses heavier transformers and bigger caps than its contemporaries, they are quite well built and are most of the times over-engineered like the older Mercedes Benz cars. Most Yamaha engineering is not for fancy stuff but for audio, they are among the oldest musical instrument manufacturers around and their engineers are derived from their electronic musical instruments department. The famed NS-1000 speakers were created for the music division before being ported for consumers.

[VX700]

I, too, don't buy into the theory that 2-ch preamps always beat out AV preamps. I used my Theta Casablanca for over a year in 2-ch mode before I got around to using the multi-channel AV aspect of it and always felt it was the best 2-ch preamp I could buy. Just my opinion.

:music:I have a Theta Cassablanca III and for 2 channel using the digital card I'd say it is pretty darn good. However when using the analog they do not offer or have XLR (balanced) INPUTS, so if you are running a balced set up for two channels I would not recommend a THETA :nono::no::nono::no::nono:(not to mention if you ever have an issue with it good luck with tec support- one of the worst) So do not buy one of A-gon.

I would recommend a McIntosh:thmbsp:, Anthem:thmbsp: or EAD
But that is my opinion

[House de Kris]

:music:I have a Theta Cassablanca III and for 2 channel using the digital card I'd say it is pretty darn good. However when using the analog they do not offer or have XLR (balanced) OUTPUTS, so if you are running a balced set up for two channels I would not recommend a THETA

You are, of course, entitled to your opinions. But, perhaps you aren't too informed as to what Theta offers. ALL of their three- and four-channel cards (Extreme Quality, Superior Quality, and Standard Quality) have XLR outputs. Only the six-channel Standard Quality card does not support XLR.

[VX700]

You are, of course, entitled to your opinions. But, perhaps you aren't too informed as to what Theta offers. ALL of their three- and four-channel cards (Extreme Quality, Superior Quality, and Standard Quality) have XLR outputs. Only the six-channel Standard Quality card does not support XLR.


:nono:I am so sorry, I ment to say Balanced INPUTS NOT OUTPUTS!- so maybe you should read more carefully, I have superior dac's and YES for digital they are XLR outputs and for Analog inputs they are ALL- RCA- check out the website-
http://www.thetadigital.com/product/cb3/whats-new.htm:music:

[whoaru99]

Proceed AVP2 has a loyal following for top-notch HT and 2-ch performance.

[tube-it]

Outlaw Audio, They use the same guts as the overpriced Fosgate pre's but for less than $1000, Plus they have HDMI switching and Phono! as well a a handy auto setup and measurement mic.

I in peticular like it becouse it has multi ins for SACD and DVDA and analogue bass management

[uofmtiger]

If I was in the market for a preamp, I would buy the Integra DTC-9.8. (http://www.integrahometheater.com/model.cfm?m=DTC-9.8&class=Separates&p=f) Of course, it depends on what you want in a pre. The Integra has DD Plus, TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio decoders and 4 HDMI inputs (1.3a) and two HDMI outputs. It also has 1080P upscaling over HDMI using the outstanding HQV Reon chip. It also uses Burr Brown 192/24 DACs.