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SQ! - avr vs high end stereo preamp, who wins SQ challenge? And why

So thinking about getting a C47 McIntosh preamp for stereo listening for use in Ht bypass mode.  All this vs a mid range avr used in a home theater with high end speakers and amp.

what is it that diminishes sound quality when listening to stereo music with the “pure direct” mode selection from an avr?  

Why can’t the avr producers do a better job when designing their avr’s or maybe not a big deal in that avr SQ for stereo is comparable to a stereo preamp.  
emergingsoul

Showing 2 responses by hilde45

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
5,283 posts
 
I have a buddy with a $2k Yamaha AVR and modest Paradigm bookshelves.

We hooked up those bookshelves to my $170 Audioengine D1 DAC and my old, mid-fi Adcom GTP-400 and 535L and they were like wholly other speakers.

My friend realizes that he tried to kill two birds with one stone by getting an expensive AVR. He realizes now that he was wrong.
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
5,283 posts
 
The short answer to your question is a question: what is the money spent on in the box you buy? The more it’s spread out, the less quality in the component parts. Then, there are the priorities of the maker to consider -- who is our market? What are they looking for? What do they care about?

I've noticed that when I listen, if I'm watching something (even just the streamer display on my iPad), I'm not listening as closely. Now put a movie in front of me. I still notice the sound but I don't focus on the sound. Why spend money there, if you're the designer?

Good short answer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag5G11O9CrE&ab_channel=PSAudio
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