HT Receiver VS Processor/Preamp

[vasyachkin]

is there any point in getting a Processor/Preamp instead of receiver ?

keep in mind that a good receiver is still going to have line level outputs for all the channels so it you can use an external amp with it on the channels where you need more power ( like main left and right )

so lets say a 7.2 receiver has 7 x 100W amplification built and and i will connect a 2 x 300W power amp to the main left and right channels to both increase power and unload some stress from the receiver's power supply. i would also then add two self-powered subwoofers.

would a Processor/Preamp offer any advantage over the above setup ? i mean like a 7.2 Processor/Preamp + 5 channel amp ( 100W x 5 ) + 2 channel amp ( 300W x 2 ) ?

???

[timkolody]

The main advantage offered, is that a pre/pro will genereally offer better bass management than a receiver. Allowing more freedom with xover points, and allowing for diferent xover points for individual speakers. You then can xover your fronts at say 60Hz and use smaller speakers for your surrounds crossing over at say 80-100Hz.

Some the newer higher end receivers are catching up though.

Tim

[philiparcario]

> is there any point in getting a
> Processor/Preamp instead of receiver ?

> keep in mind that a good receiver is still
> going to have line level outputs for all the
> channels so it you can use an external amp
> with it on the channels where you need more
> power ( like main left and right )

> so lets say a 7.2 receiver has 7 x 100W
> amplification built and and i will connect a
> 2 x 300W power amp to the main left and
> right channels to both increase power and
> unload some stress from the receiver's power
> supply. i would also then add two
> self-powered subwoofers.

> would a Processor/Preamp offer any advantage
> over the above setup ? i mean like a 7.2
> Processor/Preamp + 5 channel amp ( 100W x 5
> ) + 2 channel amp ( 300W x 2 ) ?

> ???
I have done it either way. I prefer to keep the processor/preamp away from the amps. main reason is amp technology does not change as fast as processors do. since 1995 there have been a dozen changes of importance it the pro/pre end. even though amps have changed plenty of 1995 amps work great. also you can pick up a good 3 channel amp and a great 2 channel amp to run a home theater. I have audiorefinement gear they have nice 3 channel amp to run your center and rear surrounds multi-3. By the way vas you don't need a 7.2 system for a small home theater. 5.1 will work although I have a 5.2.1 system 2 subs and then a super sub. i run the 2 subs for music and turn the super sub up or down for home theater. phil

[philiparcario]

[jtmusicva]

Provided Link: Blue Jeans Cable website


not a big deal -
thing to do is get cables from Blue Jeans Cable - they are inexpensive, are of very high quality, and sound as good as the $100/pr. Wire World Atlantis II. Trust me - they sound really great!
(Go with the Belden 1694A coax instead of the 1505 - it sounds better, but unfortunately is a bit on the stiffer side)

[vasyachkin]

> I have done it either way. I prefer to keep
> the processor/preamp away from the amps.
> main reason is amp technology does not
> change as fast as processors do. since 1995
> there have been a dozen changes of
> importance it the pro/pre end. even though
> amps have changed plenty of 1995 amps work
> great. also you can pick up a good 3 channel
> amp and a great 2 channel amp to run a home
> theater. I have audiorefinement gear they
> have nice 3 channel amp to run your center
> and rear surrounds multi-3. By the way vas
> you don't need a 7.2 system for a small home
> theater. 5.1 will work although I have a
> 5.2.1 system 2 subs and then a super sub. i
> run the 2 subs for music and turn the super
> sub up or down for home theater. phil

exactly the amp technology does not change so might as well get a receiver because it costs the same ( or less ) than a processor

yes/no ?

[jtmusicva]

haven't read all the posts here re: this posting, but, in my experience, going the true separates route has definitely yielded better sound. It's more money, but, 1) buy used stuff and check out eBay - I did and am in audio heaven, and 2) the improvement in overall sound is definitely worth the extra expense - you'll hear it for sure.

[philiparcario]

> haven't read all the posts here re: this
> posting, but, in my experience, going the
> true separates route has definitely yielded
> better sound. It's more money, but, 1) buy
> used stuff and check out eBay - I did and am
> in audio heaven, and 2) the improvement in
> overall sound is definitely worth the extra
> expense - you'll hear it for sure.
I have done just that and agree completely!! <A HREF="http://www.markertek.com">www.markertek.com</A> or bluejeanscable both are good. one is east coast the other is west coast. I like the 1505f for its flexibility. the 1694 is cleaner with rf interference

[vasyachkin]

> is there any point in getting a
> Processor/Preamp instead of receiver ?

> keep in mind that a good receiver is still
> going to have line level outputs for all the
> channels so it you can use an external amp
> with it on the channels where you need more
> power ( like main left and right )

> so lets say a 7.2 receiver has 7 x 100W
> amplification built and and i will connect a
> 2 x 300W power amp to the main left and
> right channels to both increase power and
> unload some stress from the receiver's power
> supply. i would also then add two
> self-powered subwoofers.

> would a Processor/Preamp offer any advantage
> over the above setup ? i mean like a 7.2
> Processor/Preamp + 5 channel amp ( 100W x 5
> ) + 2 channel amp ( 300W x 2 ) ?

> ???

has to be at least $150 less than a good receiver costs otherwise there is no point in it.

?

[philiparcario]

> has to be at least $150 less than a good
> receiver costs otherwise there is no point
> in it.

> ?
used models are technics sh-ac500 I paid 85 bucks for one one ebay downloaded the manual and purchased a remote directly from panasonic (technics) total cost 110! it lets me run 2 coax digital and 1 optical digital and 5.1 in and 5.1 out. but its an ebay buy and I got lucky. another good pro/pre is audio refinement but used on audiogon or ebay. for new <A HREF="http://www.ac4l.com">www.ac4l.com</A> has a lot of rebuilt marantz gear with full warranty. When I went reciever i used one from them for a few years. half price factory authorized . I will see what they are selling. then post.

[zach_t]

Provided Link: http://www.audiogon.com/


For used equipment, check out: <A HREF="http://www.audiogon.com/">http://www.audiogon.com/</A>

Click Search, then enter the first two digits of you zip code and press "GO". You will see the items being sold locally, which helps because you can see the stuff first hand.

[vasyachkin]

> For used equipment, check out:
> <A HREF="http://www.audiogon.com/">http://www.audiogon.com/</A> Click Search, then
> enter the first two digits of you zip code
> and press "GO". You will see the
> items being sold locally, which helps
> because you can see the stuff first hand.

all things being equal i will enjoy buying something new much more than buying something used.

i will only buy something used if i NEED it. but i'm not going to buy used toys.

everything audio definitely falls under toys category so i don't really ever plan to buy used audio equipment.

[mike1234]

We must assure we buy used things very cheaply. We can no longer trust one other so the losses must be carefully measured against the gains.

> all things being equal i will enjoy buying

> something new much more than buying
> something used.

> i will only buy something used if i NEED it.
> but i'm not going to buy used toys.

> everything audio definitely falls under toys
> category so i don't really ever plan to buy
> used audio equipment.