2. amps-preamps
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stuck in a quandry -what's best solely on quality?

Ok - here's my situation. I have the bug. I have budget constraints. Currently running Denon AVR-3300, with an Odyssey Stratos covering the front right and left amp duties. Looking now to purchase a second power amp to handle the center and surrounds, allowing me to ditch the receiver (which has treated me very well, and kicks butt for theater, just not 2 channel). Once the second amp is in, I can buy a new processor that handles a center rear channel or 2. Current budget is $1000. The question is should I....

1. buy a 3 channel, such as a Chiro C-300, which is currently available, and save some cash for the processor and get it sooner? (140 x 3 @ 8ohms)

2. buy a 6 channel such as the Parasound HCA-806, that I can run in 5 channel mode - bridge 2 channels for the center and have 4 more channels for current rears with 2 dormant channels until processor and rear speakers come, also saving some cash for processor? (180 x 1 bridged @ 8ohms and 80 x 4 @ 8ohms)

3. or spend the $$$ and buy a Citation 7.1, which I can bridge for center and unbridge down the line for a single rear center? (150 x 4 @ 8ohms or 1 x 450 and 2 x 150 @ 8ohms)

suggestions with reasoning behind them would be VERY welcome.
dklap

Showing 1 response by dklap

dklap OP
51 posts
 
how does a home theater pass through work?

if my cd player has analog outs, i could run them to a stereo pre-amp and run the digital connection to the receiver....but then how do i get power to the speakers from the receiver through the stratos? run the pre-outs of the receiver through the pre-amp as well, and set the pre-amp for pass thru? so that way, the pre-amp needs at least two inputs, one of which is a pass thru, and all front end would go thru the pre amp? this could be a great solution! there are pre-amps that do this?

-dan
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