So, I have an almost-new Pioneer SC-27 serving mostly as a pre/pro in my media room. I was at 5 channels, using two Emotiva amps, but recently re-arranged and am back to 7 channels so I am using two amps in the Pio for the rears. We have another room in the house that could use a system, and an older system on its last legs, so I am considering rotating things around and using the Pio elsewhere to put its amps back in use. My oldest AVR will likely end up as the rear amp, though if my ancient Hafler still works it may take over. This leaves me with an opportunity to pick up a new pre/pro for the media room.
Components:
Samsung 52" LCD TV (650-series, I think -- couple of years old)
Oppo 83 source
PS3 and a Wii for the kids (thus the LCD instead of a plasma)
Pioneer SC-27 AVR
Emotiva XPA-2 and XPA-3 amps
Magnepan MG-IIIa L/R, CC3 center, MC1 surrounds
Mirage Omnisat v2 rears (for now; plan to pick up another pair of Maggies)
I have read a bit about the integra DHC-80.1 and upcoming (supposedly) 80.2, plus the Anthem (forgot the number -- not the d2v, the cheaper one), and a couple of others. For various reasons I am little less interested in a "mainstream" Pioneer/Denon/Sony/Yamaha unit though if one should be in the running by all means let me know! While I like my Emo amps, there are features their pre/pro lacks and the on-going mixed reviews are a concern. Flexible room control is a must; the Pio's lack of sub control and 9-band EQ is just enough to drive me nuts, though having wideband group delay adjustment is very cool (despite the fact I cannot seem to figure out how to tweak it myself; it seems to do very well on its own). I am not (maybe barely) familiar with Audyssey (no problems learning it, but I do not know how it compares to Pioneer's MCACC).
So, I throw it out for y'all: With a budget of say $1500 to $2500 for a shiny new pre/pro, What's Best?
Thanks! - Don
Components:
Samsung 52" LCD TV (650-series, I think -- couple of years old)
Oppo 83 source
PS3 and a Wii for the kids (thus the LCD instead of a plasma)
Pioneer SC-27 AVR
Emotiva XPA-2 and XPA-3 amps
Magnepan MG-IIIa L/R, CC3 center, MC1 surrounds
Mirage Omnisat v2 rears (for now; plan to pick up another pair of Maggies)
I have read a bit about the integra DHC-80.1 and upcoming (supposedly) 80.2, plus the Anthem (forgot the number -- not the d2v, the cheaper one), and a couple of others. For various reasons I am little less interested in a "mainstream" Pioneer/Denon/Sony/Yamaha unit though if one should be in the running by all means let me know! While I like my Emo amps, there are features their pre/pro lacks and the on-going mixed reviews are a concern. Flexible room control is a must; the Pio's lack of sub control and 9-band EQ is just enough to drive me nuts, though having wideband group delay adjustment is very cool (despite the fact I cannot seem to figure out how to tweak it myself; it seems to do very well on its own). I am not (maybe barely) familiar with Audyssey (no problems learning it, but I do not know how it compares to Pioneer's MCACC).
So, I throw it out for y'all: With a budget of say $1500 to $2500 for a shiny new pre/pro, What's Best?
Thanks! - Don