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Suggestions for an affordable pre/pro

My Adcom GTP-400 stereo preamp finally gave up the ghost a few weeks ago and it's time to finally delve into home theater. I don't want and can't afford audiophile components, just something on a quality par with my trusty old Adcom GFA-555 power amp. I'm not willing to completely sacrifice 2-channel listening just to get into HT. I bought a GFA-2535 power amp for the center and rears. I have no need for phono input. I would like to get good, basic 5.1 discrete theater sound for movies, and from what I understand, plain old Dolby Digital and DTS will do that for me.

My thinking was that since I don't want leading-edge surround codecs that I should look at older pre/pros of a quality that I couldn't afford if they were new. I had been using a cheapo 10 year old Pioneer ProLogic receiver for the center and rears for an approximation of surround sound, but that was matrixed and the 70 paper watts it put out was totally out of balance with my GFA-555 and my Sunfire sub. My goal is to have the same kind of sound quality for both 2 channel and 5.1 that I'm used to getting on 2 channel from my old setup. And I have to do it for $300 - $500.

Some ones that I've considered so far are:
- B&K Reference 30 - (known for clicking and popping noises during use, or distorting after getting hot?)
- NAD T 163 (known for hissing problems?)
- Integra DTC-9.4 (possible to find one at this price point?)
- Outlaw 950; 970-(buggy? QC problems?); 990 (price?)
- Rotel RSP 976 (funky remote and bad OSD? Will I regret lack of bass management?)
- Anthem AVM 2 (one for sale here that I can almost afford. Any known issues with them?)
- Marantz AV9000 (opinions?)
jwf512
bdgregory
1,712 posts
 
I'd suggest considering a Lexicon DC-1 (with version 4.0 firmware). I've seen them for <$500 recently loaded with Dolby Digital and DTS. I'm not familiar with the others but it sounds better than the B&K Ref 30 in both Theater and 2 channel (I had both). I still use mine and am very happy with the surround and 2 channel performance (though I have a separate analog preamp for 2 channel listening). It's been reliable and is easy to set up. I previously had Version 3.1 firmware and it had a little trouble with DTS decoding on some DVD's - so stick with V4.0.
lokie's avatar
lokie
528 posts
 
I would reccomend a Marantz or Denon 5.1 reciever. The cheap pre/pro route just isn't worth the hassle of additional power cords, interconnects, heat, space, hum, and etc. Use the surround amps in the reciever and supply your own 2 channell amp for the fronts. 100-120 watts should be good because most of the bass is crossed over to the subs on the surrounds.;
kkm
124 posts
 
Also check out the Acurus Act 3 pre/pro, I've seen them for about $350-450 here at Agon.
javachip
56 posts
 
First, your Adcom GFA-555 IS an audiophile component. I've had two for them for 20 years. You'll take them away from me when you pry them out of my cold dead hands.

All of your own ideas, and all of the suggestions offered above, sound reasonable. The question of whether to get a good used receiver (Denon 3805 comes to mind, if you can live with the weird remote) or go with a separate pre-pro is a tossup. The fact that you are on this website tells me that you will probably be happier in the long run with a separate pre-pro such as one of those mentioned above.
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