2. home-theater
  3. 1378521286

Building HT, 2 channel audio guy needs help

I’m an old audio geek – vinyl and R2R are still my preferred sources. Always had my system for music only in its own room and a separate (decent, but consumer-brand) “theater-like setup” with a 52” flat screen. Well, just moved to a new house and lo and behold, the house has a real theater room (also ideal sonically) with 100” screen and ceiling mounted (obsolete) front projector.

So now, it looks like my audio system will have to do double duty – switching back and forth between audio and theater modes as needed. Need some help on a new preamp or processor for the audio system to serve the theater needs. Here’s my audio system at present:
Oracle Mk I TT (upgraded to Mk II suspension) w/ SME arm and Benz Micro cartridge
Revox A-77 R2R
Conrad Johnson 2200 power amp
Conrad Johnson PV5 tube pre
Magneplanar 1.7 Speakers
Infinity powered subwoofer
McIntosh MI-3 maximum performance indicator

My inclination is to get new/used preamp or processor capable of handling the theater needs –
- (HDMI or RCA) input from cable box for audio
- Center speaker and surround speaker output (powered or otherwise) – I have an old Threshold CAS2 power amp that could be used for the rear speakers
For the video, I plan to use the cable box directly into the projector in order to make it possible to stay with a more audiophile friendly preamp.

Of course, I am not looking to break the bank given that I have been happy with what I have (sonically speaking) – maybe $2k-$3k (new or used) – or perhaps that much plus whatever I would get selling my PV5. Then I can still buy a projector to replace the out of date one that came with the house as well as a center speaker and surround speakers for the theater.

First things first – can I humbly ask the community for some ideas on the pre/processor for this system?

Thanks – Jim
jmarki@aol.com
jmarki

Showing 4 responses by dtc

dtc's avatar
dtc
1,047 posts
 
I doubt you will easily find a 5.1 receiver that you would like as well as your PV5, especially given that you like tube equipment.

You could keep your PV5 and simply add a 5 channel 5.1 receiver or pre-amp, although it is a little inconvenient. A typical configuration is to have a 2 channel pre-amp that has home theater bypass inputs, which simply passes the L/R channel line level signals through to the amp, bypassing the volume control. That allows you to keep you 2 channel system in place and add a HT receiver. Since you do not have a HT bypass, you can emulate one. You can just put the HT L/R line level outputs into an unused input on the PV5 and then figure out the volume level on the PV5 that amounts to unity gain. Then each time you want to use the HT you just set the PV5 to that volume setting and run the 5.1 receiver as normal. That will allow to get a mid-level 5.1 receiver without compromising your 2 channel setup.

If you get a receiver you can use its amps to drive the backs and maybe use the receiver or your Threshold for the center.

If you want to simplify into just a 5.1 receiver or pre then finding one you like as much as the PV5 may be difficult. Marantz, Arcam, Anthem, Integra are certainly possible.

The real issue is how important it is 2 keep your 2 channel sound intact.
dtc's avatar
dtc
1,047 posts
 
My advice would be to keep them PV5 until you try a SS receiver or pre-amp/processor. If you keep the 2200 that will help keep the tube sound.

I would also consider NAD (like the 757, 775 or 787). It does not have the bells and whistles of the Asian brands, but it is more musical than many of them. Spearit Sound has good deals on NAD. With the receiver, you can use the pre-outs for the L/R and use the internal amps for the center and surround. Interestingly, since receivers have much higher volumes than pre-amp/processors, the full receivers are less expensive that a comparable pre-amp for similar quality. Then you can use the amps as needed. You also have a wider selection of receivers to choose from.

To get an AV8801 for around $2K you probably need to go the ebay route.

Good luck.
dtc's avatar
dtc
1,047 posts
 
Audiooracle - please, stop the insults. I discussed HT bypass and gave him an alternative using his existing pre-amp. I also pointed out that the SS pre-amp or receiver probably may not be an acceptable alternative to a tube pre. Your suggestion is a good one, consistent with my comments. Let the OP decide, but please try to keep this discussion civil.
dtc's avatar
dtc
1,047 posts
 
No direct experience with the MET-1. I looked at it when it came out, but it had some limitations that made me pass. I went with a hybrid solution with a high quality tube preamp and SS AVR.

It only has analog inputs, which means it does not do things like bass management and room correction. Any of that needs to be down in the source. A Blu-Ray player like the Oppo 103 or 105 can do bass management (crossovers) and set speaker distances but it does not have the equalizers to adjust the frequency spectrum for room acoustics. This is a standard feature of most SS AVRs.

In addition, if you want to do 5.1 for your cable signal, most cable boxes only output 2 channel analog, so you lose the 5.1 for movies and TV shows. You also then rely on the DACs in the cable box, which are usually not very good.

If you do any streaming of video, like Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, from a smart TV, you would also be limited to 2 channel audio, using the DACs in the TV.

Depending on your fetish for cables, it does take 6 cables to hook up the Blu-Ray player. For some, that would cost as much as the digital setup :)

It also does not have any video processing, which means you need to hook each video source to the TV directly and change TV inputs as needed. That is easy with a programmable remote, but can be an issue for some using standard remotes.

If you are looking at Conrad Johnson pre-amps, you might check out Spearit Sound. They are a dealer and have used and demo equipment available.
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