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Multichannel Preamp

I had a thread some time ago (see end of post) asking about this subject. At the time many of the good (or only) multichannel preamps available at a bargain were older processors made for home theater that no one wanted because the technology was outdated. Now, you have Bel Canto, McIntosh, McCormack, Audio Refinement (to name the ones Stereophile "Music In the Round" has reviewed) and some others who have made simple multichannel preamps for multichannel DVD-A, SACD, or connection to a DVD player with its own decoding.
Now that this much time has past, can anyone compare these units as well as any new ones? Dare I ask which is the best?
Thanks
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?home&1076885980&openusid&zzJimmy2615&4&5#Jimmy2615
jimmy2615
mjcmt's avatar
mjcmt
710 posts
 
I wish some manufacturers would make more affordable multichannel anologue preamps. With the high calibre universal sources (having processing, bass management, and anologue output) it seems like tube multichannel would be the perfect senerio for a multichannel audio/video system. Tubes would add that extra dimension and largeness.

What do you guys think of NOT using the center channel. If your system images well and has a good soundstage you could tell your souces' menu not to use the center channel. It will then send the center channel info to your R&L channels. I never had a problem positioning voices and sound panning effects in my 2 channel HT. The rear speakers will handle your effects for anologue HT.
jeffreybehr's avatar
jeffreybehr
805 posts
 
Mjcmt's wish for more-affordable multichannel preamps certainly won't be met with Jack's recommendation of the Golden Triode Multichannel--$25K!!!!!!!!!!! I imagine they'll sell 2 or 3 this year. :-)

And, Jack, it's 'multichannel', not multi channel or multi-channel. :-)

Mjcmt: "I have the Audio Refinement Pre-5 and it very fine. It is basically a 2 channel preamp that has 5.1 anologue follow thru using the volume control as a master volume." Absolutely wrong in spite of the 'information' published in a couple reviews. The Pre 5 is a 6-channel preamp conceived and built as such. There's no 'pass thru'; the 6 channels are actively amplified. If anything's added on, it's the 2-channel stuff.
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kr4's avatar
kr4
3,691 posts
 
Jeffreybehr wrote: "Absolutely wrong in spite of the 'information' published in a couple reviews. The Pre 5 is a 6-channel preamp conceived and built as such."

That may be but it's hard to believe if you use it.

Kal
jeffreybehr's avatar
jeffreybehr
805 posts
 
"...it's hard to believe if you use it"? I use it every day and I've had my fingers and soldering iron in mine MANY times. It's a 6-channel preamp, Kal. It has six channels of circuit traces, six channels of input- and output-coupling caps, six channels of gain modules, etc.

Why do you say that?
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kr4's avatar
kr4
3,691 posts
 
Well, I can only remember one point and that vaguely. It had to do with the tape monitor switch only handling 2 channels so that, when set on monitor with the input selector on the 6channel input, the other 4 channels leaked through. Also, only one 6channel input.

Overall, it was just fine but little things suggest that the MCH input was grafted on although, I admit, I do not know what was in the mind of the designer.

Kal
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