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Looking for Pre/Pro with great 2 ch sound

I'm looking for advice on pre-pro's with emphasis on 2-channel and multi-channel music performance. The budget is around 1500 for a used unit, or maybe up to about 3000 for a new one.

The leading candidate so far is a used Anthem AVM-20/30. I've read great reviews on their sound quality and the older ones seem like a good bang for the buck. I'm not concerned with HDMI or every last surround sound mode. My other candidate (if I can swing it) is a Linn Unidisk SC. If I go that route than it obviously combines a great disk player with the pre-pro. Any other ideas and/or opinions?

Thanks!
bmdduck
bmdduck OP
99 posts
 
Thanks to all for the great feedback.

I'll have to do some research on the products mentioned. I'm surpised to hear the Theta mentioned as in my price range. In my reading they seem to be very expensive and have a lot of options/variants. Can anyone add any detail on the Casanova's options, what variants to look for, etc?

Thanks again!
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
Anthem, Parasound and Cary Audio
firefightingrob
30 posts
 
Lexicon MC-8
bmdduck OP
99 posts
 
After doing some research of the Proceeds, it seems that the AVP is available used for around 800-1000 and the AVP for around 2000. The AVP2+6 is around 2500. Any opinions on the differences and whether the newer versions are worth the extra money?

I read that Proceed was absorbed into Mark Levinson a few years back. Have they always been related to Levinson or where they previously independent? I ask because people describe the Proceeds as Levinson technology at a non-Levinson price. Any interesting details on the company history?

Thanks.
docrobbi
37 posts
 
I have an AVM 30 with a PVA 7 amp. It is nice with two channel. If you don't mind some of the dsp's then the anthem has a nice mode which accents the front 2.1 channels but fills in the rear two channels with ambient sounds. It doesn't sound quite so hoaky as other surround formats. I use it often when i listen too two channel music on my HT setup.
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