Drizt Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Hi guys, This might be frowned upon by some old school audiophiles but I know I have read about some higher end audiophiles using AV pre/pros in their HIFI rig lately. Hands up guys, who is currently using an AV pre/pro in thier rig? Either in the past, present, or intend to in the future? Im contemplating going down that path myself, and was wanting to get some first hand experiences / opinions. Can I ask why you went that way, what you think works well, what doesn't etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Interesting. The past few days (while my missus has been away) Ive been playing with a few different configurations here. For a few days I took my bewdiful Conrad Johnson preamp out of the loop and went back to the rather meagre Denon AVR 3300 as preamp, still feeding the ME 550. Well, the result was rather lacklustre. I had a much flatter soundstage without my usual wonderful imaging. So, it may be feasible with a high end AVR, but certainly not with mine. Cheers, Jake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drizt Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 Interesting. The past few days (while my missus has been away) Ive been playing with a few different configurations here.For a few days I took my bewdiful Conrad Johnson preamp out of the loop and went back to the rather meagre Denon AVR 3300 as preamp, still feeding the ME 550. Well, the result was rather lacklustre. I had a much flatter soundstage without my usual wonderful imaging. So, it may be feasible with a high end AVR, but certainly not with mine. Cheers, Jake Cheers for your findings mate. Wonder if you would get a different result if you were only using the denon feeding the power amps rather than going through two preamps, not sure. Ill have to look up the denon 3300 as I havent' heard of that one before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Cheers for your findings mate. Wonder if you would get a different result if you were only using the denon feeding the power amps rather than going through two preamps, not sure. Thats just what I did. Errr, as I said Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drizt Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 Thats just what I did. Errr, as I said opps, some how I read your post and thought you were saying you were feeding the me preamp. But now that I have re-read it, it seems you were talking about the me power amp, sorry for my mistake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Gimlet Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 I use my Meridian processor as a preamp. Works fine for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drizt Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 I use my Meridian processor as a preamp. Works fine for me. That looks like a high end bit of kit to me, very nice. Was there a particular reason you went for an AV processor for your HIFI kit? HT / HIFI integration, just purely because it sounds fantastic?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JohnA Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 I started off byusing my rotel 1098 then once i put a dedicated 2 channel pre noticed the poor 1098 just could not compete. Many said it made a great 2 channel pre, and sure it is good, but just cannot compete. I doubt i would ever go back down that path Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cableconnoisseur Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 EAD Ovation as my (2-channel) pre-amp for some years now. I'm yet to 'hear' a better pre-amp. The 5.1 processing (D/D & DTS) is out-of-this-world to boot :popcorn Russ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drizt Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 EAD Ovation as my (2-channel) pre-amp for some years now.I'm yet to 'hear' a better pre-amp. The 5.1 processing (D/D & DTS) is out-of-this-world to boot :popcorn Russ. Wow, that something I haven't seen before, looks impressive and I bet it sounds great too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drizt Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 I started off byusing my rotel 1098 then once i put a dedicated 2 channel pre noticed the poor 1098 just could not compete.Many said it made a great 2 channel pre, and sure it is good, but just cannot compete. I doubt i would ever go back down that path Cheers John. Its good to hear the good and bad experiences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drizt Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 Guys, For those of you who are using AV pre/pro's for HIFI needs are you using the digital inputs or analog inputs? Have you compared (what method of comparison did you use?) and what were your findings? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Gimlet Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 (edited) I've (almost) always had offboard DACs, originally with pre/power separates. I saw using a processor as a preamp as knocking out one link in an expensive chain. However (and this is a big however) I would think twice before putting sound and video through the same bit of kit. edit: I use digital all the way through to the speakers. I have no analogue sources and only one analogue output to the SGR sub Edited June 8, 2009 by Mr_Gimlet additional info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drizt Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 I've (almost) always had offboard DACs, originally with pre/power separates. I saw using a processor as a preamp as knocking out one link in an expensive chain. However (and this is a big however) I would think twice before putting sound and video through the same bit of kit. Cheers, thanks for your thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cableconnoisseur Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 All silver discs go into the digital inputs (6 digital inputs). Everything else (tuner, turntable, cass deck) goes into analogue (3 inputs). And yes..........it sounds fabulous. Russ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil G Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Since I sold my Moon pre to John, I've been using my Cary Cinema 11 and then onto 11a. This was a step backwards in SQ. Not massive, but a hit all the same. I'm currently waiting for a new valve pre to be built, which should be very nice. With the pro, I connect via analogue inputs (XLR & RCA), but I did try the digital in and found the difference was small. The digital input would miss the first 2 seconds of each track which was most annoying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drizt Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 Since I sold my Moon pre to John, I've been using my Cary Cinema 11 and then onto 11a. This was a step backwards in SQ. Not massive, but a hit all the same.I'm currently waiting for a new valve pre to be built, which should be very nice. With the pro, I connect via analogue inputs (XLR & RCA), but I did try the digital in and found the difference was small. Thanks LuckyDog. The digital input would miss the first 2 seconds of each track which was most annoying. That would be annoying. Wonder what the reason behind that is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norpus Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 (edited) I have simplified my system to the Denon AVP HDA1 preamp which everything now goes through, yes including 2channel music. And yes it sounds good (unlike previous denon avrs I have owned/used) It has XLR for the cdp input, so could take XLR from the dac It sounded as good as a 4.5K rrp preamp to me on a test one day, so out went the krell preamp and this all made connecting the subs to both 2ch and HT easy without mixers etc So the behringers are no longer used Nor the krell preamp and now not the benchmark dac (can't be bothered reconnecting it) Additioanlly I have ability to put all my hdmi sources in and out and use my Octagons for everything -which is what sounds best. As a preamp, it does allright for me Although it has no power amp circuits, it weighs as much as my 7channel Elektra power amp... it is a special beast http://www.audioproducts.com.au/ProductInfo.aspx?pid=AVPA1HDSP Edited June 8, 2009 by norpus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vic Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Hi guys,This might be frowned upon by some old school audiophiles but I know I have read about some higher end audiophiles using AV pre/pros in their HIFI rig lately. Hands up guys, who is currently using an AV pre/pro in thier rig? Either in the past, present, or intend to in the future? Im contemplating going down that path myself, and was wanting to get some first hand experiences / opinions. Can I ask why you went that way, what you think works well, what doesn't etc. Hi Drizt, I have found any av pre pro is too much of a compromise in a high end 2 channel and 5.4 surround system,even on movie surround in my system,therefore I use analog out for bluray,dvd and use 3 different pre amps for 5.4 surrounds (bat vk-5 L.R) (copland cva 306 centre,rear left and rear right)(proceed AVP SUB VOLUME ONLY BLUERAY,surround for foxtel,tv,etc) Theta casablanca II,mark levinson No 40 listen in all Genesis surround,wilson audio maxx 2,watt surround and all Martin logan surround systems they sounded ok,audio research ref2 mkII crushed both on 2 channel cheaper than both new,1/3 the $ of ML No40 but they do surround decoding,In the under $20k the arcam av9 sounded good and does switching,but analog suits my amps and speakers much better(martin logan prodigy,s ,logos,rears requests,subs 2 revel b-15,2 genesis 900 rears). Please note it is far easier with av pre,and HDMI connection for audio low to med system,but to get that extra 15% try it and you won,t go back regards victor. my system.http://www.stereo.net.au/forums/showthread.php?t=13152 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith_W Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 In that case, can I borrow the Krell preamp? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JohnA Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 damn norpus, can't believe you took this route i know why lower the box count, then sneak in the TT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norpus Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 In that case, can I borrow the Krell preamp? Sure Keith, no problem I know you have always had a soft spot for that model Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ENIGMA Posted June 8, 2009 Share Posted June 8, 2009 Hi Drizt, I use one, past present & future. I use a Sony TAE9000es pre processor into 3 Musical Fidelity monoblocks and one Copland Tube power amp. I run my analog into a Copland pre, into the Copland power driving L&R front) speakers & digital (mainly home cinema) through the Sony to the Copland & MF to run front, centre & rears. I/ve tried al sorts of combinations as i basically have a stereo syst within the home cinema one. The Sony has no prob in coping with complicated movie tracks as it has 3 processing chips. No prob with running bluray either and you can hear the improvement from bluray. It even has a phono input (i don't really use it). In anaog, it is fine but really excels in digital. In stereo, the Sony into Copland power sounds better than the Copland pre into MF monobocks. A HT pre is the way to go, very flexible and solid performance and i can intergrate it with my anaog system. This was the reason i went this way. Things i found interesting, watching a movie only in stereo through the valve amp and listening to vinyl in surround. What doesn't work well, nothing really, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drizt Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 Thanks for the detailed reply. Thats making me feel better about looking at going this route. Thats a serious looking AV pre/pro by the way. I have simplified my system to the Denon AVP HDA1 preamp which everything now goes through, yes including 2channel music. And yes it sounds good (unlike previous denon avrs I have owned/used)It has XLR for the cdp input, so could take XLR from the dac It sounded as good as a 4.5K rrp preamp to me on a test one day, so out went the krell preamp and this all made connecting the subs to both 2ch and HT easy without mixers etc So the behringers are no longer used Nor the krell preamp and now not the benchmark dac (can't be bothered reconnecting it) Additioanlly I have ability to put all my hdmi sources in and out and use my Octagons for everything -which is what sounds best. As a preamp, it does allright for me Although it has no power amp circuits, it weighs as much as my 7channel Elektra power amp... it is a special beast http://www.audioproducts.com.au/ProductInfo.aspx?pid=AVPA1HDSP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drizt Posted June 8, 2009 Author Share Posted June 8, 2009 Flexibility is definiately the strength of going this route isn't it. And if SQ is right up there it would seem like a no brainer. I guess thats the ultimate key isn't it, SQ. I guess I'll just have to take the plunge and find out for myself. Hi Drizt,I use one, past present & future. I use a Sony TAE9000es pre processor into 3 Musical Fidelity monoblocks and one Copland Tube power amp. I run my analog into a Copland pre, into the Copland power driving L&R front) speakers & digital (mainly home cinema) through the Sony to the Copland & MF to run front, centre & rears. I/ve tried al sorts of combinations as i basically have a stereo syst within the home cinema one. The Sony has no prob in coping with complicated movie tracks as it has 3 processing chips. No prob with running bluray either and you can hear the improvement from bluray. It even has a phono input (i don't really use it). In anaog, it is fine but really excels in digital. In stereo, the Sony into Copland power sounds better than the Copland pre into MF monobocks. A HT pre is the way to go, very flexible and solid performance and i can intergrate it with my anaog system. This was the reason i went this way. Things i found interesting, watching a movie only in stereo through the valve amp and listening to vinyl in surround. What doesn't work well, nothing really, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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