First pre/pro and hopefully last

Tim:

I'm really interested to hear what route you end up taking. If I go the pre/pro with very strong 2-channel peformance route, it's most likely going to be either a Theta CasablancaIII or the Krell HTS 7.1. But the two channel pre with a HT pass through is also a possibility. The Rotel I have is really quite good at HT, but I'd like to take the 2-channel performance up a notch or two. On the two-channel side of things, I would probably go with something from Audio Research.

BTW, I recently picked up an FMJ CD23T (along with a matching FMJ A22 integrated and FMJ T21 tuner) for my office system (ProAc speakers). That is a very nice player. You are going to love it.

Take care, Tom.

Krell HTS 7.1,By Far King of the Hill!

I can't say enough about the high quality 2 channel pre-amp with HT pass thru and a seperate processor. The pre-amp doesn't even need a specific HT passthru, you just need to be able to reliably hit the same volume setting. So any pre-amp with a digital volume display, or a notch on the knob will do.

Just set the preamp to the passthrough mode or volume, and calibrate the processor. Voila. Get a good pre-amp though.

The upgrade a cheaper processor as the times require. You'll the latest digital processing, and stellar two channel performance.

I do this today with a Boulder 1012 and a Meridian 568.

Tom
I went with a 2 Channel preamp with the pass through option. I just orderd a Supratek Chenin with that option. The system is coming together slowly. Here is how it looks so far:

Preamp - Chenin with remote and pas through
CDP - Arcam CD23T
amp - eVo6
L/R speakers - Heron i

Now for the prepro, cabling, interconects, and deciding if I will monoblock the fronts with something like VTL 450 sig., since Meadowlark speakers match well with tube gear. I will run the eVo6 bridged with the Chenin when it arrives, and see how it sounds. This is my first system, so I don't know the sonic difference between SS and tubes. I know one thing, I can't wait to here it for the first. I will keep you updated on the system as it develops.

Tim

Audio Refinement Pre2 Dsp is an excelent Pre/Pro that sounds great and only costs you 1400.00 new. Though it doesn't have as many features as others but the sound is top notch. All analog inputs can be bypassed by there is a 5.1 input for SACD or DVD-A play back.