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Multichannel Preamp

I had a thread some time ago (see end of post) asking about this subject. At the time many of the good (or only) multichannel preamps available at a bargain were older processors made for home theater that no one wanted because the technology was outdated. Now, you have Bel Canto, McIntosh, McCormack, Audio Refinement (to name the ones Stereophile "Music In the Round" has reviewed) and some others who have made simple multichannel preamps for multichannel DVD-A, SACD, or connection to a DVD player with its own decoding.
Now that this much time has past, can anyone compare these units as well as any new ones? Dare I ask which is the best?
Thanks
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?home&1076885980&openusid&zzJimmy2615&4&5#Jimmy2615
jimmy2615

Showing 2 responses by mjcmt

mjcmt's avatar
mjcmt
711 posts
 
I have the Audio Refinement Pre-5 and it very fine. It is basically a 2 channel preamp that has 5.1 anologue follow thru using the volume control as a master volume. When I swithed frome a tube pre to it I noticed a loss in air but gained bass extension, pace and timing, as well as detail.

Your source will have to have 5.1 anologue outputs because you will not be using the digital out but your sources processing. It will also have to have bass management to adjust the gain to your speakers to balance the surround sound.

Stereophile claimed that the Macintosh anologue 5.1 preamp was awesome and would be my choice if budget allowed, but the AR pre-5 is good. Definitely better than a pre/pro.
mjcmt's avatar
mjcmt
711 posts
 
I wish some manufacturers would make more affordable multichannel anologue preamps. With the high calibre universal sources (having processing, bass management, and anologue output) it seems like tube multichannel would be the perfect senerio for a multichannel audio/video system. Tubes would add that extra dimension and largeness.

What do you guys think of NOT using the center channel. If your system images well and has a good soundstage you could tell your souces' menu not to use the center channel. It will then send the center channel info to your R&L channels. I never had a problem positioning voices and sound panning effects in my 2 channel HT. The rear speakers will handle your effects for anologue HT.
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