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Pre-pro Advice for B&W 802d HT System

Hello All,

I am in the market for a pre-pro and wanted your guy’s opinions on my options. I have been reading a lot for about 3 months, but still would like some more opinions. The main things I can looking for in new pre-pro are excellent audio detail and a good wide open soundstage. Also, I would like high quality HD video and good up conversion (although up conversion is less important). The following is my current system:

AVR – Denon 2808ci
Amp – Cinenova Grande 7 x 300
DVD – Panasonic S52
Speakers: All B&W
Center: HTM2D
Fronts: 703s
Sides: DS7
Rears: 602s3
Audioquest interconnects

Future Plans:
Amp - McIntosh MC205 and MC402, might go with Classe, but right now planning on Mac
Blu-Ray – Oppo or Ps3 – Oppo if I need analog outs and PS3 if I don’t.
Speakers:
Fronts - 802Ds – Looking to get them in 6 months or so.
Rears - My 703s or 805s

I am looking to spend between $2000 and $5000 for a new pre-pro. My options can be broken down in to two categories: those with the new HD audio formats and those without.

Those with the new audio codecs:
Rotel 1570 – Rotel is always considered to be a good brand with high quality audio. However, after reading a lot about this pre-pro, it seems to have more problems than it should. Some of those problems include poor remote, poor video quality, and audio drop outs.

Marantz AV8003 – I always think of Marantz audio quality is slightly below Rotel. Video processing is better and a few more features (although not that important to me).

Anthem AVM50v – Anthem makes good pre-pros, however some say they can be bright. They supposedly will have excellent video quality and good soundstage.

Anthem D2v used – I would have to wait a while tell a used one gets on the market maybe a year or year and half. However, this is supposed to be one of the best pre-pro on the market. Great Soundstage, video, and audio detail. Again might be bright.

Those without the new audio codecs:
Classe SSP – 600 maybe used– Classe as a lot of you get to experience first hand make great components. Their sound is very detailed and has a good soundstage. I am not sure about video processing.

Classe SSP – 800 used – Same things as the 600 just with better audio. I heard they were going to make it upgradable for the audio codecs, not when this will happen.

Anthem D2 used – same as above expect no wait and no audio codecs.

McIntosh MX136 used – Known for great sound. Don’t know about video processing.

Rotel – 1069 or similar used – Great deals, would be well below my price range. Good quality sound.

These are main pre-pros I have been considering. Also, remember that if I choose one without the codecs I will have to buy interconnects from the Oppo Blu Ray player to the pre-pro – estimated cost of $300 - $400.

I wished I lived closer to stores were I can audition these, but I do not. Thus I like to have a lot of information before I make the weekend trip to Denver to listen to them. Thanks in advance for all you help.
jkk7859
jeffkad
211 posts
 
Nice plans. I upgraded to used B&W N803s upfront in my HT system and it made me make wholesale changes. Mac amps would be great for 802D's, just get PLENTY OF POWER.

However, if you're main concern is 2 channel analogue SQ (redbook CD playback), I have a few other suggestions. I'm not into the new codecs yet, and I believe that any good pre/pro will suffice for HT movie watching (to my taste). For best 2 channel in a pre/pro, certainly a used Classe 600 or BelCanto pre/pro will afford very good 2 channel SQ, as will a used Proceed AVP2+6 or Bryston SP2. Also a new Cary Cinema 11 is supposed to be great in 2 channel. Replacing your avr right now with one of these would probably make a dramatic improvement even with your 703s). However, be careful, some pre/pros only offer "analogue bypass" mode (unprocessed) in a balanced configuration, which means you need a balanced cdp/dvp to maximize SQ. A MUCH bigger issue/upgrade is your dvp. GET a better dvp, or get a separate cdp for two channel SQ. If it were my money, I'd buy a used Arcam or Esoteric dvp, or a modded Denon for ~2500 or less, and use the other 2500 for a used Proceed AVP2+6 or Cary Cinema 11. Another option is to get a good preamp with HT bypass and insert btween your mains and pre/pro. In this budget scenario, get the arcam or a Cambridge Audio cdp or dvp for 1.5-2k, get a Integro or Onkyo prepro for 1k or so for great HT, and a Modwright SWL 9.0 preamp for 1.5-1.7k for great 2 channel. Now for 4.5-5k, you've improved everything and have a killer system compared to where you are now. But whatever you do, upgrade the front end, as you're only as good as your weakest link. Just my thoughts. Have fun. Jeff
millicurie999
57 posts
 
Have you considered getting a separate video processor like the DVDO EDGE for your video upconversion and a "music-first" processor for music/movie? I am slightly suspicious of the new generation AV pre/pro that claims to do everything.
kennyt
1,226 posts
 
Jkk,

I have had several of the anthem D2's, and I can say they are not bright by any means. I don't know who told you that, but go listen to them, they are very smooth and neutral. Also, you can upgrade any D2 to the new specs at any time, so if you want, you could buty one, likely even with ARC for your budget used and send it in for a couple hundred bucks and get it updated to the D2v status (I do not know the actual price of this upgrade, but Anthem has always done thhese upgrades very reasonably in the past)

Jeff,

You obviously haven't heard the new audio codecs or you wouldn't feel the way you do, they are a HUGE leap in performance for HT!
pkubica
134 posts
 
I'm somewhere in the area that you are heading. I have a 5.1 Analog/HT system with 802D's and the HTM2D on the front, 805's on the rear and a Velodyne sub. I'm trying to achieve 85% 2 channel analog and 15% theater.

To achieve your goals, I would consider the Classe. They seem to be joined at the hip with B&W. I listened to them extensively and they sound good together, especially the HT.

After a lot of listening, I didn't like any HT units for my vinyl. I kept my older Aragon processor for HT and bought an ARC tube preamp with a theater pass thru. The 802D's need power (current) to perform. There I went with Class D ICE amps and have them bi-amped. That did more for the system than anything else and they match well with the tube preamp. Throw in some good silver wire balanced interconnects and you're ready to rock.

If you need any specifics, shoot me a note off list.
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