Multichannel Pre Amps

[HLime]

Hi, 

 

I am trying to decide which Multichannel Preamp to match with my Oppo BDP-95.

I would be using the 7.1 analog RCA outs from the Oppo to the Preamp.

I have been looking at the new NuForce MCP-18 and the AARON No.22 Cineast.

I am wondering if anyone has had any experience with either of these preamps OR 

if anyone has bought a Multichannel Preamp to match their Oppo and what their experience/recommendation would be.

I have a number SACDS, hence the reason for this desired setup. 

[twwen2]

Parasound P7: http://www.parasound.com/halo/p7.php

[betty boop]

Multichannel analog pres are a rarity, and then your relying on the limited functionality of the oppo including bass management etc which is a challenge and compromise in my opinion this way.

Can I suggest instead for multichannel consider an av pre amp instead something like the marantz 8801 ? Hook up over hdmi and for multichannel I would say your miles ahead.

Also seems quite a extreme move just for multichannel sacd... In my experience I wouldn't bother re multichannel sacd, in most cases pretty fake mixes and would revert to the 2ch mix in any case, but understand if this is a specific requirement.

[TP1]

I second Al's recommendation. A decent AVR used as a pre/pro with built in Audyssey DSP and good bass management should outperform the Oppo and most other bluray players for multichannel. For 2 channel only, analog out from the Oppo would be the way to go, provided the AVR has a pure analog path for 2 channel audio.

[TP1]

I should add that I think there is a reason that most high end SACD manufacturers and DSD DAcs don't have multichannel. However, an AVR or pre/pro that can decode raw DSD should take care of that too if you still wanted to experiment with multichannel SACD.