2. amps-preamps
  3. 139588-120733

Amp/Preamps vs. High end AV Receivers

Hi,
I am sure this topic had been discussed exhaustively. I am new to this arena looking for some help to upgrade my Onkyo AV Receiver (135 w/channel). I am debating whether to the AV route or the AMP/Preamp combo. Naturally, I understand that I get what I pay for.

Would appreciate some inputs and suggestions regarding:
1. AMP/PREAMP combo route - 
2. AV route

I am not looking at a huge budget but a decent one. 

Thanks in advance
terrancej

Showing 1 response by soix

soix
10,015 posts
 
As others have mentioned, upgrading the amp without upgrading the preamp will only get you so far, and upgrading to separates will be pretty expensive.  Given your investment in speakers, if it were me I'd upgrade to a higher level AVR so you upgrade both the amp and preamp in one shot.  Anthem makes relatively high quality AVRs, so I'd look for something like this if it has the features you're looking for.    

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis974j9-anthem-710-receiver-receivers

If you want to go further than that, I'd do a Marantz prepro with maybe Rotel or Classe multichannel amps, but it will cost a lot more and you'll need to add good interconnects.  FWIW, and best of luck. 
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