First pre/pro and hopefully last

I am somewhat in the same market. My current pre/pro is a Rotel RSP-1066, which is quite nice in its price range. But, now that the rest of my system is shaping up nicely (Thiel speakers and Theta amps), it has become one of my weak links. My top contenders are the Krell HTS 7.1 or the Theta pres (Casa Nova or CasablancaIII), although Sim Moon Audio, and EAD are probably also on my short list. I would consider Classe' and Bryston as well. However, my thoughts are that if I go for a no holds barred, final word pre/pro, I am really looking at the HTS 7.l or the CasablancaIII. But, if I want to focus on getting awesome 2-channel (which I do), and I can live with 5.1 (which I definitely can) and no multi-channel input (which I am not sure if I can live without), you can pick up a great deal on a Casa Nova right now.

Tom.

Good points, Cy. With that in mind, my criteria include analog pass through, and balanced outputs for at least the L/R, and preferably L/C/R channels. I don't have any local Meridian dealers, but I do have access to Krell, Theta and Moon Audio (as well as Bryston and Classe).

Tom.

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.

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.

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.