2. amps-preamps
  3. 163796-111640

Beginner money for separate Amp/Preamp for Hm Th

I know I’m opening a can of worms.  I’m not getting used-even though I know there are great deals here. I have a Denon AVR 4806 ~12yrs old.  I want to move into separates. 
Here’s the hard & fast... Under $5k.

1) I need a preamp for the normal HT & my tt. Friends say keep the Denon for switching & radio. How?? 2) I have a Jolida JD9 MK II phono preamp (keeping). I love it.
3) I like the sound ability to really punch.  Friends keep saying SS for mid/twetters & tube for low end.
4) I know there are bazillions of main to boutique brands. Can you keep recommendations to something I have a good chance of auditioning in Chicago please?

My speakers are a couple steps up from entry JM Labs.  Don’t tailor anything to that.  Replacing in a couple yrs.  I’ll appreciate the real advice & the trolls are the price of admission.  Thank you.
tochsii

Showing 2 responses by soix

soix
8,937 posts
 
Here’s what I’d do if I’m you.  I’d get a Yamaha RX-A2070 AVR from accessories4less.com for $1200 and just start there (although the 1070 for $900 may work too depending on your speakers).  Why?  I drove a pair of $9000 B&W804D3s with one using my best 2-channel audiophile demo music, and it was flat out amazing.  The Yammy was clear and neutral and managed to deliver a transparent 3D soundstage none of the Marantz, Denon, or Arcam AVRs could manage, and it actually reminded me a lot of my own much more expensive stereo separates.  In short, pretty much just what you’re looking for.  And in case you’re wondering, the Denon sounded soft, veiled, and flat by comparison (these were all top one or two models for each manufacturer as of early 2020 BTW).

I say start here because you may well like the sound enough to happily stop there for a while until you’re ready to upgrade your speakers and decide on a good integrated then.  Given what you’re looking for a Hegel H190 would be one to look into, but that may be jumping the gun a bit.  Anyway, hope this helps at least somewhat, and best of luck in your search. 
soix
8,937 posts
 
Yeah, there’s not a lot to go on here re: what you’re looking for in terms of sound characteristics that are important to you.  Also, you’d probably be better off figuring out what speakers you’re going to upgrade to (or upgrade speakers first) so you get an amp suited to drive them.  It sucks to find speakers that blow you away only to find that your amp doesn’t work with them sonically and/or functionally. 

That said, just keep the Denon for HT and get a good stereo integrated amp to handle your front L/R speakers.  The 4806 has preamp outs you can use to incorporate the integrated seamlessly right into your HT setup, and it’s super easy to do and lets you completely remove the AVR for critical 2-channel/vinyl listening just by pushing one button (if this sounds too good to be true it is, but it works anyway).  Many of us have done this here when HT and stereo systems had to coexist in one room.  If this sounds like something that’d work in your situation we can go over hookup, but like I said it’s stupid easy.  Anyway...
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