Pre-Pros, Why So $$$

[Thrill Kille]

I'm going to buy a new Pre-Pro. Maybe an AVR. Whichever is cheaper, maybe. 2 1/2 years ago my Pre-Pro was $1,900. And I wasn't too impressed with it after about 1 year. So now I want a machine that will do 4K Processing, Up-sampling, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HDMI 2.1, etc.

I don't need a whole lotta watts. If it has XLR out. I can connect to my amps. Is it better to go with another Pre-Pro? Or, get a AVR with Balanced XLR out? I currently and regrettably have a Marantz AV7702. I find it limiting in it's sound set-up. Unless you pay for the Auddessy Upgrade. Other than that it does basic audio set up. And it's Scaler isn't the best. Middling really. So, why are Pre-pros more expensive. And are the worth it now a days?

Also any re-directs to a Thread or Forum to compare AVRs and Pre-Pros would be appreciated.

Marantz AV7702
McIntosh MC2250 L/R
McIntosh MC30 C
Emotiva XPA-3 Surr L/R
Martin Logan Motion 40's L/R
Motion 8 C
Motion I forget L/R Surr

 

[WobblySam]

I'm going to buy a new Pre-Pro. Maybe an AVR. Whichever is cheaper, maybe. 2 1/2 years ago my Pre-Pro was $1,900. And I wasn't too impressed with it after about 1 year. So now I want a machine that will do 4K Processing, Up-sampling, HDR10, Dolby Vision, HDMI 2.1, etc.

I don't need a whole lotta watts. If it has XLR out. I can connect to my amps. Is it better to go with another Pre-Pro? Or, get a AVR with Balanced XLR out? I currently and regrettably have a Marantz AV7702. I find it limiting in it's sound set-up. Unless you pay for the Auddessy Upgrade. Other than that it does basic audio set up. And it's Scaler isn't the best. Middling really. So, why are Pre-pros more expensive. And are the worth it now a days?

Also any re-directs to a Thread or Forum to compare AVRs and Pre-Pros would be appreciated.

Marantz AV7702
McIntosh MC2250 L/R
McIntosh MC30 C
Emotiva XPA-3 Surr L/R
Martin Logan Motion 40's L/R
Motion 8 C
Motion I forget L/R Surr

Have you looked at the Marantz AV7703 - it has the full Audessy suite and I think most everything else you're looking for - there has been a recent firmware update, "I think", to add Dolby Vision - you might want to check it first. Anyway, I posted sometime back that the AV7703s were being discounted to $1499 from $2199. A pretty nice deal and it has balanced outputs. I'd rather use a pre/pro and select my own amps - just me since I think most AVRs have weak power supplies and lack the dynamics of separate amps with beefy supplies and reserves - but that's just me and my opinion. Anyway, you might want to check out the 7703 and see if it suits your needs.
Good luck

 

[whoaru99]

7702, regrettably?

Wow, that's one of the better midrange pre/pros.

I find my even older AV7005 does a very good job, sound wise, even compared to a nearly 3x more expensive (in the day) Anthem AVM20 that I used prior to it.

And, the 7702 has a number of advancements including MultiEQ XT32 and Sub EQ HT over the 7005.

 

[Ross6860]

I've not been happy with an AVR or pre-pro since 1995...

The only pre-pro I had was an Emotiva and I bounced it out in three months. Pioneer, Yamaha, Sony, Onkyo AVRs and all were lacking.

Currently an Onkyo TX-RZ810, and I would not recommend it. Video and ARC work well, sound (especially stereo) is just OK.

Maybe I expect to much. Things like auto lip-sync, Zone 2 audio, should actually work.

So why is a pre-pro more expensive? No idea. Supposedly a better DAC, but an OPPO UDP-205 is only $1300

 

[sqlsavior]

Jacks cost money.

 

[Thrill Kille]

Yea, the 7702 GUI is lacking. I don't like the fact that if I make This, or That Adjustment. It turns something else On or Off settings wise. The Headphone output is weak too.

 

[fredgarvin]

Yea, the 7702 GUI is lacking. I don't like the fact that if I make This, or That Adjustment. It turns something else On or Off settings wise. The Headphone output is weak too.

What about the Outlaw 976? only $899. No audessey I don't think.

https://www.outlawaudio.com/products/976.html

 

[Thrill Kille]

What about the Outlaw 976? only $899. No audessey I don't think.

https://www.outlawaudio.com/products/976.html

I checked it out. Looks pretty good spec wise for my needs. The price is nice too. Definitely on my Short List.

 

[Duane]

I tried the Outlaw 976 and it didn't sound as good as my 20 year old EAD Ovation. There a few minor quirks that left me wanting more. Good price and there is a 30 day money back guarantee.