Pre-Amp Blues

[billt928]

I was holding out for a decent pre-amp from Sunfire, so I've been using a Sony STR DA5400ES as a pre amp, the sound is good, but I just can not deal with it any longer. Bottom line I'm "OVER IT" using a AVR as a pre amp is just not a good solution for me.
My Last Pre-Amp was a Sunfire Theater Grand IV and before that was a Sony TAP-9000ES

so what I'm looking for is a good preamp (prefer balanced outputs "XLR") with HDMI and all new decoders.

Last of all I want to keep it under $5k

Current amp is a Sunfire TGA7400

[DiverSpear]

What are you going to do with your 5400ES when you get a new pre-amp. What is it about the 5400ES you don't like?

[Big Daddy]

1. Anthem:
   http://www.anthemav.com/
2. Denon:
   http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3922.asp
3. Emotiva:
   http://emotiva.com/umc1.shtm
4. Integra:
   http://integrahometheater.com/model....=Separates&p=i
5. Krell:
   http://www.krellonline.com/#nogo
6. Marantz:
   http://us.marantz.com/Products/2290.asp
7. Nad:
   http://nadelectronics.com/index
8. Outlaw:
   http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/997.html
9. Rotel:
   http://www.rotel.com/NA/products/index.htm?cat=25

[Intamin]

From the Pre/Pro thread on AVS, this is very useful. Actual thread can be found here, http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=940065

[billt928]

Originally Posted by DiverSpear

What are you going to do with your 5400ES when you get a new pre-amp. What is it about the 5400ES you don't like?

Going to sell, I'm thinking maybe around $1k, that seems to be the going rate on ebay. I already have a Pioneer Elite VSX-03TXH, in my bedroom and a old Denon AVR-5800 in a guest room.

Its a good AVR, The issue I have with using an AVR as a pre amp, your still driving the internal AVR amp. It will make the same heat even without a load and that equals added heat. I have 2 low profile AVR coolers, so its not that big of an issue but its still bothers me.


I like the MarantzAV8003 (have read some good reviews for it) and the Anthem AVM50 just not in silver.

Now I need to find a dealer that sells them local to audition them, now that Sound Advice Tweeter has gone out of business, guess its time to get to know some dealers in the Palm Beach area

[sokrman14]

I have always like B&K, thats why I chose their amp. I am saving up for their Reference 70, may take me a while, it runs about $4000-$4500.
BK Reference 70

[sokrman14]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

1. Anthem:
   http://www.anthemav.com/
2. Denon:
   http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/3922.asp
3. Emotiva:
   http://emotiva.com/umc1.shtm
4. Integra:
   http://integrahometheater.com/model....=Separates&p=i
5. Krell:
   http://www.krellonline.com/#nogo
6. Marantz:
   http://us.marantz.com/Products/2290.asp
7. Nad:
   http://nadelectronics.com/index
8. Outlaw:
   http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/997.html
9. Rotel:
   http://www.rotel.com/NA/products/index.htm?cat=25

You definitely gave him some great products there, but many are over OP's $5k mark

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by sokrman14

You definitely gave him some great products there, but many are over OP's $5k mark

Most, but not all, are below $5,000.

[billt928]

I finaly think I found one I like and price is good.

does anyone have a integra DHC 80.1?

one paper the integra DHC 80.1 looks good, Now I need to find a local dealer and get a demo.

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by billt928

I finaly think I found one I like and price is good.

does anyone have a integra DHC 80.1?

one paper the integra DHC 80.1 looks good, Now I need to find a local dealer and get a demo.

you might also want to consider the Onkyo PR-SC5507P, http://www.onkyopro.com/model.cfm?m=...eamplifier&p=i, it's the 80.1 with a door on the front and the Onkyo name (its virtually the same thing) with a lower price tag. I did originally want to get the 80.1 but for me the price tage stopped me a bit till i saw the Onkyo version. That is the pre/pro I plan on getting in the next couple of months. mostly for the same reason as you. I am using an Onkyo 805 as a pre-pro to my two amps and I just keep rolling the receiver with it's amp doing nothing but heating up. I do understand where your coming from. best of luck and keep us posted.

[billt928]

seems they have been back ordered since before x-mass, was told they may be in stock some time between Feb & March. I was told this by 4 diffrent dealers so guess I'll just have to wait a little longer

[gerchy]

Anything new here?
Is heating issue really the only reason?