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Pre-pro Advice for B&W 802d HT System

Hello All,

I am in the market for a pre-pro and wanted your guy’s opinions on my options. I have been reading a lot for about 3 months, but still would like some more opinions. The main things I can looking for in new pre-pro are excellent audio detail and a good wide open soundstage. Also, I would like high quality HD video and good up conversion (although up conversion is less important). The following is my current system:

AVR – Denon 2808ci
Amp – Cinenova Grande 7 x 300
DVD – Panasonic S52
Speakers: All B&W
Center: HTM2D
Fronts: 703s
Sides: DS7
Rears: 602s3
Audioquest interconnects

Future Plans:
Amp - McIntosh MC205 and MC402, might go with Classe, but right now planning on Mac
Blu-Ray – Oppo or Ps3 – Oppo if I need analog outs and PS3 if I don’t.
Speakers:
Fronts - 802Ds – Looking to get them in 6 months or so.
Rears - My 703s or 805s

I am looking to spend between $2000 and $5000 for a new pre-pro. My options can be broken down in to two categories: those with the new HD audio formats and those without.

Those with the new audio codecs:
Rotel 1570 – Rotel is always considered to be a good brand with high quality audio. However, after reading a lot about this pre-pro, it seems to have more problems than it should. Some of those problems include poor remote, poor video quality, and audio drop outs.

Marantz AV8003 – I always think of Marantz audio quality is slightly below Rotel. Video processing is better and a few more features (although not that important to me).

Anthem AVM50v – Anthem makes good pre-pros, however some say they can be bright. They supposedly will have excellent video quality and good soundstage.

Anthem D2v used – I would have to wait a while tell a used one gets on the market maybe a year or year and half. However, this is supposed to be one of the best pre-pro on the market. Great Soundstage, video, and audio detail. Again might be bright.

Those without the new audio codecs:
Classe SSP – 600 maybe used– Classe as a lot of you get to experience first hand make great components. Their sound is very detailed and has a good soundstage. I am not sure about video processing.

Classe SSP – 800 used – Same things as the 600 just with better audio. I heard they were going to make it upgradable for the audio codecs, not when this will happen.

Anthem D2 used – same as above expect no wait and no audio codecs.

McIntosh MX136 used – Known for great sound. Don’t know about video processing.

Rotel – 1069 or similar used – Great deals, would be well below my price range. Good quality sound.

These are main pre-pros I have been considering. Also, remember that if I choose one without the codecs I will have to buy interconnects from the Oppo Blu Ray player to the pre-pro – estimated cost of $300 - $400.

I wished I lived closer to stores were I can audition these, but I do not. Thus I like to have a lot of information before I make the weekend trip to Denver to listen to them. Thanks in advance for all you help.
jkk7859
kennyt's avatar
kennyt
1,226 posts
 
Jkk,

I have had several of the anthem D2's, and I can say they are not bright by any means. I don't know who told you that, but go listen to them, they are very smooth and neutral. Also, you can upgrade any D2 to the new specs at any time, so if you want, you could buty one, likely even with ARC for your budget used and send it in for a couple hundred bucks and get it updated to the D2v status (I do not know the actual price of this upgrade, but Anthem has always done thhese upgrades very reasonably in the past)

Jeff,

You obviously haven't heard the new audio codecs or you wouldn't feel the way you do, they are a HUGE leap in performance for HT!
pkubica
134 posts
 
I'm somewhere in the area that you are heading. I have a 5.1 Analog/HT system with 802D's and the HTM2D on the front, 805's on the rear and a Velodyne sub. I'm trying to achieve 85% 2 channel analog and 15% theater.

To achieve your goals, I would consider the Classe. They seem to be joined at the hip with B&W. I listened to them extensively and they sound good together, especially the HT.

After a lot of listening, I didn't like any HT units for my vinyl. I kept my older Aragon processor for HT and bought an ARC tube preamp with a theater pass thru. The 802D's need power (current) to perform. There I went with Class D ICE amps and have them bi-amped. That did more for the system than anything else and they match well with the tube preamp. Throw in some good silver wire balanced interconnects and you're ready to rock.

If you need any specifics, shoot me a note off list.
jeffkad
211 posts
 
Kenny, it's a matter of taste and threshold. I've come to the conclusion that for me, HT just isn't that important. Any competent HT system is good enough for me. It's 2 channel analogue that floats my boat. I think I clearly stated that this was "to my taste". So, with all due respect, understand that I wasn't saying the new codecs aren't all that for those to whom it matters, it just matters not to me. To each their own. In MY opinion, I would recommend the OP get any good reasonably priced pre/pro (ie, Integra) that does very good job on HT, and get separate preamp for music. But of course, this is highly dependent on the OP's MUSIC/HT split. Kpubica, for example, is alot like me, 85/15. The OP may be something else.
jkk7859 OP
1 posts
 
Thanks a bunch for all your responses. I do like the idea of getting a DVDO Edge or something like it to do the video and just focusing on a good audio processor. I also, understand why it would be great to get a awesome 2 channel pre-pro and an ok HT pre-pro and do it separately. However, I would say my listening is more 40/60 music/ht split than 85/15. Therefore, HT is very important to me. I should have stated that in the first post. I really appreciate everyone advice. Jeff you gave me a lot of good things to think about.

Thanks to everyone who responded and please keep the info. coming.
jeffkad
211 posts
 
Jkk, no problem. Since HT is important, definitely follow KennyT's advice, as he is much more the HT afficianado. My question for Kenny is, should he get something less expensive but well regarded (like Integra/Onkyo/etc) on the pre/pro side that HAS the new codecs so he can take advantage of them, and STILL get a good preamp w/HT bypass so he has the best of both worlds? Reason I ask is that many "goldenears" (ie, over at AVS) claim that Anthem is just not as good on 2 channel as say the old Proceed AVP2+6. Since you have the D2, and you've tried many pre/pros, what do you think? Is the D2 so much better on HT and good enough on music to beat (for example) an Integra pro/Modwright or Aesthetix pre combo? I know that many, incl Kal at Stereophile, believe that ARC can make more of an impact than preamp.
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