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Preamp with Dual Zone and Remote Independent Volume Control?

Hello y'all,
I am running simultaneously two pairs of very different full range large speakers (Magneplanar and vintage JBL) from the same source using the dual zone feature of my Denon receiver as a preamp.  I use two separate stereo power amplifiers, a NAD and a Yamaha, one for each set of speakers.  The Yamaha is driven from the Denon’s pre-out jacks and the NAD is driven from the Denon’s zone 2 outputs.
The Denon’s dual zone feature allows independent volume control of both sets of speakers from the same remote.  All this works and sounds actually much better than it sounds.... ;-)

I am looking to replace the Denon (which is used only as a preamp) by a proper preamp with similar dual zone control capability which again would allow to balance the two sets of speakers "on the fly" from a remote.
Is there a high quality (but not exotic) preamp, current or past model, which would do the trick?

Thanks!

Yoram
yoramguy1
yoramguy1 OP
68 posts
 
Imhiffan, thank you for your suggestion.  This approach would require Y splitters and double input selections which I prefer to avoid.
robr45, thank you for your suggestion as well.  Sound quality is the #1 consideration.  I am trying to chart a "succession path" for the Denon as it is the oldest component in the system (other than the JBL's), and also achieve a more optimal preamp solution (where the $$ and space are dedicated to preamp functionality).  I will certainly consider your home theater unit suggestion, although I would prefer a simpler audio-centric 2-zone preamp, if it exists...
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
If you do any music streaming, you may want to look into Bluesound products. Not a preamp per se but they have provisions for multi room playback and allow preamp-like features via their mobile app. If you could forego the independent volume control, many preamps have two outputs to connect to two separate amplifiers. Or, you could insert a passive preamp with a volume control between one of the outputs and the amplifier to control the volume separately. Schiit Sys ($49) is one cheap solution.
yoramguy1 OP
68 posts
 
Hi kalali, thank you for your input!  Funny you should mention Blusound... I do have a Node 2 which I use to stream Spotify and which is feeding into one of the Denon's analog inputs, alongside a SACD player, a turntable, and an old Squeezebox Duet (for Pandora).  I am not sure how a Bluesound product would figure into this setup.Due to the different gains and sound characteristics of the two amp/speaker sub-systems, independent remote volume control is essential (think of it as mixing).  The issue with a passive preamp is that it can only attenuate, not boost volume, and I need the flexibility to attenuate or boost on the fly either sub-system. 
Not trying to be difficult... ;-)  there is a long personal story behind this crazy setup which is beyond the scope of this forum...  Thanks again!
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,180 posts
 
Two stereo preamp with an universal remote control?

This approach would require Y splitters and double input selections which I prefer to avoid.
You can connect one preamp input to another preamp "Tape out"


yoramguy1 OP
68 posts
 
Never thought of that one!!  Having not used Tape Out outputs for decades, please remind me:  The Tape Out signal is a "pass-through" of the selected source signal, and is not affected by the volume control of the preamp? 
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