2. home-theater
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Separates for 2-channel & HT, or.....?

I posted this in the amp/preamp forum too - no responses as yet so I will try again here. I hope double posts are not frowned upon.

I am coming from the simple world of SS receiver and separate SS power amp - Rotel gear, as you can see from my Virtual System. I am trying to find a more musical system, but I still need to have a system that can be used for HT. Optimized 2-channel is more important to me, but I can't make two separate systems - no room. :-(

I am changing out my speakers to Cain & Cain Abbys - single drive (Fostex 166E) high efficiency speakers (95dB.) My Teres turntable is also a keeper, as is my phono stage. These are about the only decisions I have been able to firm up! So, I am building my system around these components.

I need either an integrated amp or separates - pre amp/power amp. I thought tubes would be best for the Abbys, but then again, maybe the pre should be solid state with a tube amp - or is the other way around better? You see how unknowing I am! An integrated amp might be a bit of a compromise, but might also fit my budget better. :-~

This is what I need the system to do: I need to be able to run my CD drive, a DVD drive, my phono stage and a subwoofer, as well as, of course, front speakers. If I end up getting rid of my receiver, an option for rear and center speakers would be a plus, though I may forgo surround sound (5.1) with my new system.

My budget is around $10,000 which is both limiting, I realize, and more than I wanted to spend. :rolleyes: I would like this budget to include a new CD-player - I am considering the Musical Fidelity A5 - so I guess my actual amp/preamp budget is around $8000.

So, should I keep the receiver - or get a better one - and get an integrated amp with an HT pass through, or go with separates, or????
oakiris
programmergeek
322 posts
 
you should get a pre amp like a audio reasearch sp16 or similar with a HT bypass. When running 2ch you just use the pre and main amps whe doing HT up put the pre on bypass and use the receiver.
oakiris OP
206 posts
 
Programmergeek - I have a local dealer that carries the Audio Research line so I may actually be able to take a listen.

This same dealer suggests pairing the Audio research preamp with the Anthem D1 processor/receiver. Any thoughts about this combo and the Abbys?

Holly
horseface's avatar
horseface
222 posts
 
I'm in the same situation as Oakiris and my thought was to run a tube preamp to my front SS amp (Levinson 23.5) and front speakers. I will hook a high end transport and DAC to that 2 channel system as well as a turntable (eventually). I will feed the rest of the HT system through the AUX input of the 2 channel system.

When I switch the 2 channel to AUX the fronts come on as well as the rest of the 7.1 system and I'm ready for movies or 5.1 audio via my HT processor. I realize I will add signal path to the HT system but I'm not going to be as worried about it when I'm watching movies. I doubt it would cause much degradation at all.

I see several of the tubed pre's have the aforementioned HT bypass which is even better - I assume that will illiminate the added signal path entirely. We can have the best of both worlds and only ONE rack!

It brings up the following questions:

Is it a bad practice to add the signal path? What problems if any might I encounter? Should I stick "strictly" with a tubed pre with HT bypass? If I dont ... it sure opens up a lot more possibilities. I am going to test this tomorrow night with the Modwright pre I posted a question about a few days back. It does have the bypass but I also VERY interested in a Cary preamp that does NOT have the bypass. I think I might add an ARC pre amp to the "test" list. Keep your eyes peeled as I will post my impressions in a few days. If you want you can email me as well.

As for my two cents on the tube/ss setup. I see a lot written about the advantages of a tubed preamp and a SS amp. I can tell you I heard a small tubed integraded amp hooked to a pair of speakers very similar to mine ... I cant get tubes out of my mind. It was nothing short of amazing! The integraded was a Jolida and the speakers were Paradigm studio 20 v2's.

It was pure heaven and I think it's the tubes that did it

Man, have I got it bad for that sound - maybe all you need is the pre and a good SS amp for the front speakers, run the rest of the HT system through the receiver. Movies seem to require a whole lot less than critical 2 channel audio. I feel like I personally went a bit too far with the HT setup (3 separate amps and a processor) I think a better approach would have been a Denon 3805 for the HT side and every other dime pushed in the 2 channel system. I'm in it at least $20G and my 2 channel audio sound leaves a lot to be desired. I think I'm almost there. I think you can have one hell of a system by investing the lions share into the front end of the HT system and bring in a tubed pre. The center, sub and rears are probably already more that sufficient for movie watching.
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