I can't make up My Mind Please Help...


I am going to be upgrading PRE/PRO within next week. Im looking to spend 3-5k. I have narrowed down to two units. The Aragon stage one and the EAD theatremaster 8000pro. My logic behind picking these two is they are supposed to be very good/great performers for 2ch along with all the other stuff. I listen about 70% 2ch and rest DVD-A and movies. And i care much more about music quality than movie playback. I am limited for space and dont have the option for seperate systems.

A couple of things i think worth mentioning:

The Aragon has analog pass thru for 2ch w/bass managment in analog domain along with analog pass thru for SACD and DVD-A. And also different crossovers can be set for 2ch and all
others..

The EAD has the ability with analog pass thru for 8ch's
so a DVD-A 6ch can be used along with a SACD for 2ch. It
also has ability for stereo subs which could be very useful.

I would love to hear any comments on those two?
I am teetering on the fence and cant make up my mind.

My system consists of:

YAMAHA RX595 using as a pre/pro (this is what im replacing)
BEL CANTO EVO6
BEL CANTO DAC2
YAMAHA DVD-920 DVD-A
YAMAHA CDM-900 Redbook
MONSTER POWER HTS-5000
INFINITY: 4 IL30'S FLOORSTANDING AND TWO IL10 CENTERS
(ONE FRONT CENTER..ONE BACK CENTER)
VELODYNE SUB: CHT15 (SERVO CONTROLLED)
MONSTER SUB POWER (sub only)
ALL INTERCONNECTS: ANALYSIS PLUS CRYSTAL OVALS
SPEAKER WIRES: ANALYSIS PLUS OVAL 12'S BI WIRED
Video:
TOSHIBA 65 HDTV
TOSHIBA HDTV RECIEVER DST3000
MONSTER POWER HTS-1000 (video only)
Hughes oval dish for Direct TV.
TERK TV55 for terestrial HD signals.
spluta

Showing 2 responses by spluta

THANKS for your reponses...

Sdcampbell,

Its funny you bring up the Bryston. I took a quick look
at it last night and then got sidetracked. I will take
a closer look. I had the Bryston amps rated very high
on my list when i was looking for amps. Cant argue with
20 year warranty and a great reputation either.

/

Forever,

I was hoping to hear from you on this topic...

I will take a closer look at used Classe gear. I took
a quick look and it looks like the SSP30 has all i would
need to maintain the 5.1 and 6.1 duties. Unfortunately
i dont see one for sale on the Gon.

What kind of 2ch pre would you recommend also?

You really got me thinking now... If i do go with the EAD
or the Aragon i could always add a dedicated 2ch PRE if
im not happy with 2ch and still would have upgraded other
area's in a big way. Hummm...

I really like the stereo sub idea also.. Im thinking a couple of Revel's would work really nice with that unit.

/

Sidssp,

I do want to upgrade all other area's also besides 2ch.
It is my highest priority but not my only.
Im amazed at how well the Yamaha has done for cost... But
its time for it to retire to mid-fi pasture (my sons room).

You guys really got me thinkin here maybe this is a two
step deal.. EAD PRE/PRO first and then who knows? I am pretty determined to get it all in place and get it right.

I am not surprised your Yamaha PRE performs well. Even
my cheapo reciever has done a admirable job.
Foreverhifi..

My speakers are the 2 way C.M.M.D Infinity's. They dont
have the active subs built in like Intermezzo's or the
Prelude MTS series. But when teamed up with a good sub
they do very well. I havent heard the MTS series but i will before i buy anything else... So far the Revels are number one on my list. I do have some room issues i want to deal with before i get new speakers also.

/

You guys convinced me on the seperate 2ch pre and pre/pro
issue. I am going to do the Pre/pro first and take some time
doing some research on the 2CH. Im looking forward to trying
some different ones. My amp is SS and is extremely quick and
dynamic im guessing if i can find a Tube Pre that can keep up it will be great.

I APPRECIATE all of your responses and will look at ALL
of your recomendations..

THANKS