New pre/pro ideas

[pgblu]

Hi all,

I joined a couple of months ago and have been reading this interesting blog ever since. I have an older set up and started out as an audio only kind of guy (yup, back in the 80's & 90's) and have now changed things over the years to support HT. My current set up is a Parasound AVC-1800 (pre/pro) with an Adcom GFA-555 (L & R front), Adcom GFA-2535 (center and rear). I use a Sony BDP-S300 analog outputs to get True HD & DD Plus (fed into the pre/pro). There are 2 problems with this arangement:
1. no HDMI inputs or HDMI switching
2. no 7.1
I would like to update the pre/pro; however, I don't want to pay for a receiver and not use the amps, as this seems like a waste of money. Also, I don't need the amps; and, most amps that come in receivers are no where near as good as a dedicated amplifier.
The challenge I have is that the pre/pros are either a) super expensive or b) receivers with pre-amp out...
Any ideas on a reasonable upgrade? Say, $1500 - $2000? Less would be fine, too.

BTW, if it helps, the rest of my HT: Vandersteen 2C's (front L & R), Vandersteen VSM-1's (rear), Vandersteen VCC-2 (center), Vandersteen V2W (sub), Sony KDL-52XBR2, SOTA Sapphire (turntable, irrelevant to this discussion...).

[coolmilo]

For your budget, I recommend the Intega DTC-9.9. I have the 9.8 and I am very happy with this pre. I have Audyessy Po enabled and I am able to get a fantastic calibration in my room.

[Clark Kent]

I think many are going to recommend this unit for you:

http://www.gspr.com/integra/dhc99.html

A Cary pre/pro just came out, the Cinema 11a, for those more inclined for the boutique audiophile brands.

[Intamin]

I'd go with the Integra 9.8 or 9.9 or the Marantz AV 8003. A new Marantz is 2300, but you should be able to find a demo or used one in your price range.

[ShyBoy]

I am in the same situation as you and am looking for a new pre/pro. However, I am considering a receiver as a possibility such as the Pioneer SC-05 as one of my choices. But I am holding out until I see the new unit from Emotiva, the UMC-1. From what I have seen, it does have a lot of features and the target cost is around $1,000. It is supposed to be in production right now and a number of members have pre-ordered it.

[pgblu]

Hello again,

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions. It always seems the higher end manufacturers are slower to embrace these changes. Then when they do, they are too expensive.

Do any of these suggestions allow firmware upgrades? If not, I would think I'll be in the same position within a year or so, as new technologies evolve...

Thanks again.

[Intamin]

Originally Posted by pgblu

Hello again,

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions. It always seems the higher end manufacturers are slower to embrace these changes. Then when they do, they are too expensive.

Do any of these suggestions allow firmware upgrades? If not, I would think I'll be in the same position within a year or so, as new technologies evolve...

Thanks again.

All of them should allow firmware updates since bugs are often found or minor tweaks are made.

[primaz]

Here is the perfect solution this is a non powered surround sound 7.1 preamp that is comming in early 09'. They make and sell direct so they can provide quality that rivals Anthem, Sunfire, B & K and other non powered surround set ups at a fraction of the price. It is supposed to sell for around $1300! I own a B & K which is a lot more expensive and plan on getting an Outlaw Audio processor next upgrade.

[zicmubleu]

Originally Posted by Intamin

All of them should allow firmware updates since bugs are often found or minor tweaks are made.

I am not familiar with the pre/pro scene yet, but I am curious how you would apply firmware upgrades to them. Do they have a network connection or USB drive, etc. or am I missing something entirely?