2. amps-preamps
  3. 990470064

HT vs. stereo pre-amps again

I've currently got both a Sunfire Theatre Grand MKII and a Perreaux SA3 stereo preamp, both of which are feeding the amp that powers my fronts (bryston 4B-NRB). It's an inconvenient setup (neither has a pass-through). Several threads here have discussed whether there are HT preamp/processors which can compete with a good stereo preamp, and if I read them correctly, the consensus is probably not. Bryston has a new processor out (SP1) which has completely separate analog and digital sections. Anyone have any experience with this unit? It's analog section is just their BP25 preamp. Alternatively, anyone have a surround processor (I'm looking maybe CAL CL2500) that really keeps up with a good analog unit?
dbw1
sean
6,231 posts
 
I'm still in the same boat as you in the fact that i'm looking for a preamp / processor that does both HT & music at a reasonable price. I've tried several of the "mid-fi" processors ( Parasound 1800, Marantz 9000, Denon 8000, Carver, etc..) and had no luck so far. In order to get the results that i'm looking for, i think that i'm going to have to break down and spend more than i was hoping to.

Out of curiosity, how does you Sunfire Mk II perform on 2 channel ? I was thinking about giving one of those a try. Besides the fact that it has a phono, the cosmetics ( like that's a big deal ) would actually match my two Sunfire Sig's that i'm running for amps in that system. I assume that you like the Perreaux better in this aspect, otherwise you wouldn't have it still hooked up. Then again, i've never really liked any of Carver's preamps in the past and that is what is holding me up from taking the plunge.

I'm currently using my Marsh MSD-P2000 in place of a surround processor in that system and so far, i'm not really missing the effects. The 2 channel and movies sound better than ever with this combo even though it is only running on the mains. Sean
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dhodges
8 posts
 
Have you looked at them Anthem AVM2? It has analog pass through, 24/96 dacs does a good job with home theater and can be had for less than 2K.
dbw1 OP
173 posts
 
Sean - the sunfire isn't bad on two channel, especially when hooked up via the digital out of the source, but again, it doesn't compare to my perreaux. it does have a lot of features and convenience. the one aspect i dislike is that even with the latest base management, you can't set the crossover at less than 80hz.

dhodges - haven't checked out the anthem. i'll take a look. thanks.
audioguy123
39 posts
 
Actually, ther is an answer..the Theta CasaNova or Casablanca. If you get the version with digital out, you also get an external black box that is used for volume control. Your output (e.g. from your DAC) can be directly connected to the "black box" whihc only contains outstanding Vishay resistors for volume control. If you want to do the surround/home theater things, you can go through the actual processor itself. The processor also has a direct analog pass through that is not digitized if that is what you would like to do but that won't be as transparent as using the black box directly.
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