What Pre/Pro do you recommend?

Krelldog,

I know that I said in my other post that I wouldn't give you any recommendations because choosing a preamp is a personal choice. That said, it looks like you are about to jump off a cliff here and get stuck with some HT processor that may be a little better than what you have now. But I wouldn't even assume that. Rotel makes some very respectable gear, and for music it will probably sound just as good, if not better than most of the processors discussed here so far.

Here's 2 recommendations for you. The first is a Wyerd 4 Sound STP-SE. Its a fully balanced preamp that operates in both passive and active modes. Having the option to run passive is a feature that, in most cases, allows a relatively inexpensive preamp to compete sonically with active units that cost far more. It also has a HT bypass mode that allows you to put into your system without altering it in any way. You'll be under budget also, because it goes for $2000. The other unit is a Rogue RP-5. This preamp uses tubes. I don't know if you are open to that but some people will only listen to tubes. It also has a HT bypass feature. It costs more than my first recommendation, but tube products, as a general rule, usually cost more than equivalent solid state. It goes for %3500.

There are many more preamp choices out there for you as well, but I selected these 2 based on how well they will sound for the money, and how well they will integrate in your system.

Just to be clear, the main reason I'm recommending these 2 preamps, is to get better sound quality for 2 channel music. If you go with a new processor, it could sound a little better than what you have now, or maybe a little worse. But I would expect the SQ to be close to what you currently have. If you go with one of the preamps I recommended above, or something similar from another brand, the sound of your system will be completely transformed. It won't be a subtle change. Also, I'm basing my comments on real experiences. I don't get my listening experience by reading magazine articles. I do this for real.

I hope this info can help you out.

As a followup to the post of Zd542: The sound quality with Cary Cinema 11a is very fine. But when I moved the analog XLR output of a Sony XA5400ES from the Cary to the Parasound JC-2 BP, it was as though a veil had been lifted when playing DSD. Currently I'm running the Sony via HDMI to the Cary for surround DSD, but it doesn't sound quite as good as it did in stereo through the JC-2 BP.

db

Dbphd.....Thanks for such a thorough explanation. I appreciate your perspective.

Woops...My last post was directed at Zd542...although I do appreciate everyones input.

I know the Ayre AX 7e I'm selling has pass through and I think their pre's do also. You can always find a good one on AG. If you just go to a few of the well known manufacturer sites they will put it in their info.

I know that many are in love with the Marantz or NAD's of the world and I own both brands and have for years, however not for my 2 channel listening. they just aren't made for the highest quality sound and that's what you said you are after.

I just spent a ton of money on a new 2 channel system and my friends who listen to it feel that it sounds much better than their own multi channel systems and they spent even more than I did. The more things you add to a component the more difficult and expensive it is to implement. I think I said that correctly.