First pre/pro and hopefully last

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.

Tim:

Sounds like a nice setup! I plan on heavily looking into both the "2-channel with HT pass through", and the "HT pre/pro with decent 2-channel performance" options. My thoughts at this time are that if I went 2-channel pre, it would be an Audio Research, while the pre/pro would be either Krell HTS 7.1 or Theta CasablancaIII. I should be able to compare all three options at my local dealer.

I do have a question as to how you set things up with the 2-channel pre and HT processor option. I would think that 2-channel sources would be hooked up directly to the 2-channel pre, and that your DVD, SACD, etc. gets hooked up to the pre/pro. But what I don't get is, which unit is directly connected to the amps that drive the L/R speakers? Is is the 2-channel preamp, or the pre/pro? And does this setup in any way compromise the sound as compared to setting up the system as 2-channel only?

Thanks, Tom.

it's simple.

connect the line level outputs for L/R from the processor to one set of pre-amps inputs. connect all the two-channel sources to the pre-amp. connect the pre-amps L/R line level outputs to the two main amplifier channels. connect the processors other outputs (Center/RR/LR) directly to the surround amplifier channels.

then there isn't a compromise for 2 channel sources.

Duh, that makes sense! For some reason, I was trying to think about it the other way around. One concern that I would have with multi-channel audio, though, would be the L/R not matching up with the center (and to a lesser extent, the surrounds). I suppose if the 2-channel pre had a dedicated pass through that didn't add much, then it shouldn't be too noticeable, though.

Thanks, Tom.

Tom

I have read a lot about Krell and Theta on Audiogon about how well there 2 channel sounds. I don't think you can go wrong with either one. I will let you know what pre/pro I go with when it happens. I can look at more options now that I don't have to worry about 2 channel sonics. I think you hook up the DVD player into the prepro and the prepro into the preamp. CDP will go into the preamp, and the preamp goes to the amp or amps. I am not sure on the SACD player for multichannel. Would you hook the SACD player into the prepro and then use the 2 channel bypass in the preamp. Then you could control all 5 channels with the prepro. Am I right on that or not. The prepro is connected to one amp that controls the CC and surrouonds, and the preamp is connected to the amps that run the L/R. I will figure it out when it all gets here, LOL. :)

Regards Tim