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$2500 amp and pre/pro

Ok, my receiver just died. The good news I can now move on to separates and finally hear the full(er) potential in the rest of my equipment. The bad news is I'm off to medschool and, for the next several years, will redefine poor. I will be buying used off A'gon--if at all possible, I'd really like to stay under $2500 for the pair. Here's the rest of my system.

4 Vienna Acoustic Bach's
Rel Storm III sub
Pioneer 47a player
some crappy cambridge soundworks center speaker

Multichannel amps that seem to be in my price range are sunfire cinema grand, B&K, Outlaw I guess--though I don't like that option much--not really sure what else. Vienna Acoustics are warm speakers and I'm concerned that warm sounding amps might make them sound dark.

I'm really stuck when it comes to a pre/pro. They all seem to break the bank. Video switching is not crucial, SACD + DVD-A input is however. I'm also leary of processors that disable the sub in two channel mode. The Bach's are only rated to 38Hz (which I think is a stretch) and I really like to be able to use the REL to fill out the sound while in stereo.

Although I'm looking for a multichannel setup, this system will be used 90%+ for music. I enjoy two channel and multichannel alike. Movies come a distant second.

Any ideas are welcome. Thanks
ultraviolet
gunbei
2,327 posts
 
Ultraviolet, buying without hearing first is a virtue! You'll never know for sure until it's in your listening room, and as you said, you can always resell it.

Prpixel, yeah it seems more and more places are concentrating on AV sales and installs. You'd hope they would be smart enough to treat all their prospective customers with respect, especially the ones with serious intent to buy and 8 grand burning a hole in their pocket.
sufentanil's avatar
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sufentanil
782 posts
 
I currently have the Sherbourn PT-7000 preamp/processor and the Sherbourn 5/1500A 5-channel amp. You can do both of these items used for under $2500.

The combo produces excellent sound in my home theater system. The dynamics are terrific, as is the overall clarity. I can recommend this combo without hesitation.

I auditioned the Rotel RMB-1075, and then I heard the Sherbourn amp and there was no comparison; the Rotel is very good for the price, but for a couple hundred extra the Sherbourn just blew it away in every respect.

Good luck in your search.

Michael
vaystrem
80 posts
 
Your could go with Outlaw's Pre-Pro the 950
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/950.html for $799. It is a rebranded Sherbourn. and match with their equally well regarded Amplifier the 755 for 1299. http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/755.html.
ultraviolet OP
105 posts
 
I never considered the sherbourn, thanks, I'll check that out.

I kept reading about processors and now I'm considering the Aragon Soundstage. It seems to get incredible reviews for it's two channel sound in particular and it has 5.1 analogue inputs (thought I think this is through a DB-25 connector?). Has anyone compared this to the Anthem avm2? How do you think it would sound paired with a Sunfire amplifier (although I'm not totally sold on the Sufire yet) through Vienna Acoustic speakers? It does seem to be somewhat dated, but if it sounds good, and it has DTS, Dolby Digital etc. for movies and 5.1 analogue inputs, I don't really know what else I need. Also, I think there was an upgrade for this too, but I'm not sure, I emailed Aragon, but haven't heard back yet.
ender's avatar
ender
20 posts
 
I have an Aragon Soundstage with the upgrade. The upgrade was to 7.1 (with the Aragon Stage One's digital section minus the THX); however, Aragon is out of upgrade kits, so you can't upgrade at this time.

However, the stock Soundstage is fantastic! The 2 channel section is basically Aragon's top of the line Aurum preamp (retail $2k in 1990 dollars). The 5.1 inputs is through the DB-25 pin. Onkyo sells a DB-25 to 6 RCA female connector for $13 (just add 6 RCA cables).

IMO, you should get a Soundstage used for $1000, used Aragon 8008x3 200x3 amp for $1150, and used Aragon 2004 125x2 for $350. Then get a matching center speaker!
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