2. amps-preamps
  3. 187590-186925

Preamp vs Av receiver preouts

So I have a pretty good setup going on for myself, but my weak point is still my receiver on the music side of things (I use it for HT but I'm talking stereo right now). I have the Martin Logan ESLs, a 15" rythmik sub, yamaha aventage rxa-1060, Anthem mca225 hooked to the preouts of the yamaha (and a splitter to connect the sub L/R), and a schiit modi+. Would a separate preamp make much difference instead of the preouts on the receiver even though I use the yamaha in pure direct mode or is it not worth the addition? And if so what ballpark preamp are we talking to make said difference? Something like the parasound zpre3 looked interesting to me, but I haven't heard a separate preamp in a system before and don't know what difference it would make. I can't do much more in terms of room treatment in my room either. Thanks in advance! 

sgoods555
carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,602 posts
 

@daveteauk  Yes, I went through this looking for an amp/pre with HT bypass and didn’t find anything I liked. I ended up with a setup like I described. I think you’re saying that the Anthem does not have an input selector switch. I had an amp with the same issue, 2 inputs, no selector switch. So I added one.  So thanks for pointing out the problem with my suggestion.

But I like the suggestion of the Rogue Pre by @audphile1 

@sgoods555 I think the rouge would be a lot better choice than the parasound.

Jerry

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,922 posts
 

@sgoods555 the RP1 is a modern tube design. There’s no tube rush/hiss. I had no issues with it playing anything from string quartets to Slayer, Metallica and everything in between. It will be a very nice jump in quality of sound from your AVR. If you pick one up used at a great deal, you can try it in your own system and if you don’t like it, flip it at no loss.

Also, when I had the RP1 my speakers were Martin Logan Montis. 

sgoods555 OP
2 posts
 

Good to know I'll keep an eye out on the used market there. Definitely need a smaller height for my space but I think that could work. 

carlsbad2's avatar
carlsbad2
1,602 posts
 

Don't make your gear fit your space.  Make your space fit your gear.

 

frl
24 posts
 

I recommend adding the preamp if you have room. I run a Parasound P6. Pre outs from a Denon 4700 receiver to the bypass input on the P6. And the AVR sub out to the sub bypass on the P6. All stereo inputs go straight into the P6. If I need HT input, just flip the P6 input to Bypass. I do a lot of TV viewing on mute with stereo running.

This configuration works great, assuming you have the available real estate.

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