2. amps-preamps
  3. 1083340126

Preamp or Processor???

I am looking to get a preamp or processor, I am but not sure what to get. I listen to music 80% of the time and 20% movies. Right now I am using a Yamaha receiver as my processor and I want to upgrade badly. But I can't decide if I just want a two channels preamp or get a processor and dump the Yamaha. I also do listen to SACD so I need 5.1 inputs if I get a processor. Anyone have any suggestion for something used under $1500. I myself is leaning toward getting preamp and keep the Yamaha for processor since its pretty new and I don't watch movies that much, nor care about the sound that much in HT. But I want something that does sound really good for music. So far I been looking into some older models from Audio Research (I might want to try tubes). I also looked into the Audio Refinement since some of them offer 5.1 inputs on the preamp, but I am not sure how they sound. Lastly I heard great thing about Mccormack, it is really as good as they say they are? There are so many choices out there, I am not sure where to start.

Thanks for the help.
f155mph
electric_monk
38 posts
 
I would sink the majority into a 2 channel preamp. Then sink the rest into a less expensive surround processor. I have a Rotel RSX-1055 integrated 5 channel driving my system. I recently borrowed a Sim Audio Moon P-5 preamp. The difference was stunning. Those a/v processors do way to much internally to provide excellent 2 channel. You can use a 2 channel preamp with your a/v processor as long as it (the a/v) has pre-outs. It helps if your preamp has a home theater bypass.
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
I had a high quality passive between my pre-pro and front channel amp for a while, this sounded very good and took the pre-pro out of the picture for two channel music.

Sold the passive and am now going to try a tube pre I bought the other day. I would expect this will sound very good also but am waiting for UPS.

As Electric monk stated, your Yamaha must have pre-outs for it's front channels.

Dave
elevick
2,636 posts
 
Use the pre-outs on your receiver right now to a nice tube amp. This will give you a taste of quality sound. If you really like that improvement, then go to a nicer pre/pro or a seperate stereo preamp.
Keep in mind that even though many tube amps are rated at lower power, they will have considerable headroom and clean sound, ie I would rather have a nice 40 tube amp than listen to 100 watts from the yamaha.
Finally, if you use the receiver for the center and rears only, it should sound better due to less strain on the power supply.
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