Home Theater Preamp/amp advice.

This time around I'm building a well ventilated rack with rear access. Tired of wiring nightmares I'm doing it correctly this time.

Thanks for the circuit info. As my basement room is being redone, I planned on having all my av stuff on its own circuit.

Audio will be Onkyo 886, Rotel 1075, Oppo 83, Totem Mite T and TC upfront, mites in the rear, HSU VTF 2.

hi out there i just buy a marantz av 8003 and want to buy a amp for 5.1 in the 1000 to 1500 dlls, a dealer recomend the marantz mm 8003 amp is 8 chanels but i dont what to buy.this amp is 1500 dlls. thanks

There is currently an Aragon Stage One pre/pro and 2007 amp (200 x 7) for sale for $1750 as a combo and would do exactly what you want. The buyer is also including interconnects for between the two. I have no affiliation with the seller, but have owned many Aragon pieces over the years and been pleased with them. This combo would be hard to beat at this price IMO as long as you don't have to have all of the latest bells and whistles.

I second ATI as a good option for an amp - 1505 or 1805. If you could get a 3 channel (or pick up a 2 channel and add a third through ATI - although the shipping may kill you) you could drive the rear channels with the receiver. B&K 200 watt/channel would also be an option. I think ATI or B&K are both more dynamic than Rotel.

As you probably know, the SF Home center is not up to the quality of the GP. A Thiel SCS4 would be a good option. I used an SCS3 with GPs and the SCS4 is better and cheaper at list.

If you want to use the GP for music, you could also consider a separate 2 channel to drive the GP and let the receiver drive the center and surrounds. You would need pre-outs from the receiver to drive the 2 channel integrated. More complicated, but worth it if getting the most out of the GP for music is important.

The Integra or Onkyo pre/pro is an excellant choice. Combine it with a B&K like this one:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampsmult&1259978418&/B-K-Components-Reference-7250-

B&K's are rock solid and reliable and very musical. They are able to drive just about any speaker you throw at them. No affiliation.

Bill