Stepping up to the next level ? HT and Music


A little about the system.
I have a Onkyo 5509 Pre pro , 2 Emotiva Xpr 2 amps bi amped powering Tyler Acoustics D1x speakers . 1 Tyler center channel speaker and 4 tower speakers for surrounds and back powered by a Rotel 5 channel amp . 2 Chase 18.2 subs powered by a Suntron M 600 amp. the room is 17 x17 and I can seal it off with a door .

No problems with the system for movies and no glaring problems for music . I would just like it to sound more musical but still run my subs at the same time .

I know music lovers say no to subs but I really like the layer they add to music . So what are my options ?
1. Add a pre amp for music ? But what about the subs ?
2. Better Pre pro like a Classe ssp 800 but loose room correction .

I have had a tube amp in the mix and really liked it . The sound wrapped around my speakers but was not loud enough when I wanted to turn it up . Also cant justify running tubes always when watching movies and tv and the associated heat that comes from them .

Im looking for suggestions that I may have overlooked or advice from those who have had similar problems .
Like I said , it sounds good but would like to take it to the next level musically . I mainly listen to cd,s but am looking at a music server and or computer audio . No vinyl at this time but may add at some time later .

Thanks , Lambeau
lambeau
I think you are going in the right direction by getting a new preamp. A good preamp is absolutely critical if you want good sounding music. Its not optional, so you might as well get it now and be done with it. If you go for a Classe HT preamp, you most likely will get better sound, but at a much higher cost. If you just focus on a good 2 channel preamp, you won't be wasting money by spending on features that won't be relevant for music. I had a Classe HT preamp. I don't remember if it was the same model you mention, but it was a good one. It won't give you the sound quality of a good 2 channel preamp. You also mention tubes, but are not sure if they are right for your system. You can go solid state and have no problems at all. That wasn't always the case, but new SS gear has come a long way and is now competitive.
Kr4, Basically the same thing I would have to do with a Preamp . Tune with some sort of after market device.
My subs are run with a Pro style amp and only have xlr connections .How can I use a preamp and prepro with my sub connections with out a hastle of moving cables ,ect.

I am glad to hear you have an XMC 1 for review and testing . That's the first I have heard of and I respect your style of reviews . I am patiently waiting for your results .
ZD542 , Can I use my style of subs and amp with a preamp along with keeping my pre pro . I have had a Cary v12r on the mains and also ran the mids and tweeter with the cary and ss amp on the woofers . Much better results with the mains bi amped but not enough when I turn it up . I really liked the sound of tubes on the mids but don't want the heat.The v12r cooked . Anyway , maybe a tube preamp but once again how to integrate my subs . That's why I am hear. Looking for a solution
Having experienced obsolescence with a Proceed PAV/PDSD, I'm leery of spend big bucks on another pre-pro. Instead I opted for using an Oppo 105 as a processor as well as a disc player, and using a Parasound JC-2 BP analog preamp for stereo. Analog preamp technology is stable, whereas processor technology evolves as codecs evolve. Stereo from the Oppo goes to the JC-2, surround directly to the amps, sub to a Velodyne SMS-1 bass manager (but could go directly to the pair of the HGS-15). An Ayre C-5xeMP and JC-3 phono stage share the JC-2 with the Oppo. The setup is flexible and the sound quality is excellent; it is used for both music and HT.

db
Kr4 , I have looked at the Emotive website and their tutorial videos about their XMC1 and have a better understanding of using Dirac and the filters now .
As stated earlier , I will be waiting for your results on the XMC 1

Also checked on the Parasound P5 and the unit looks very interesting . Bass management "analog" ,Dac , preamp ,xlr sub out along with a phono stage .Has plenty of output voltage and output specs look like a good match for my amps .How is the sound Quality compared to the Onkyo. Are their any other preamps like this , Maybe with tubes ?

Thank you everyone for your replies and Please keep them coming .