Please explain preamps for me

[Intamin]

One last question, how important are balanced outputs. I was comparing the features of the 7.8 receiver and the 9.8 pre, and the only thing that the 9.8 has different (besides a couple of extra features that I can't see myself using) is balanced outputs. How important/necessary is this, especially when I plan on using good interconnects to begin with?

[red_5ive]

Originally Posted by Intamin

One last question, how important are balanced outputs. I was comparing the features of the 7.8 receiver and the 9.8 pre, and the only thing that the 9.8 has different (besides a couple of extra features that I can't see myself using) is balanced outputs. How important/necessary is this, especially when I plan on using good interconnects to begin with?

Balanced connections are good for long cable runs (like across a room) or for canceling frequency noise. If you're not doing any long runs or have anything that might introduce frequency noise along the cable path then just stick with rca interconnects with good shielding.

[canonbomb1987]

sorry to hijack you thread but i didnt wanna start a new one seeing how my que is similar to yours. i have an onkyo 606 and polk audio speakers (RTiA series). The onkyo only outputs 90 watts per channel. can i hook an amp in between? do i pick an amp or an avr? i am really confused about the relationship between an amp and avr. any help would be apprecaited.

once again sorry for thread hijaking.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by canonbomb1987

sorry to hijack you thread but i didnt wanna start a new one seeing how my que is similar to yours. i have an onkyo 606 and polk audio speakers (RTiA series). The onkyo only outputs 90 watts per channel. can i hook an amp in between? do i pick an amp or an avr? i am really confused about the relationship between an amp and avr. any help would be apprecaited.

once again sorry for thread hijaking.

Nope, the 606 doesn't have preouts - you have to go up to the 705 and above for those features (one of the reasons I'm a fan of the Yamaha's, Denon's, and Marantz receivers - preouts at low pirce points).

[RUR]

Originally Posted by prerich

+1 and 10-4, the Integra is the best prepro at that price point right now. I'm using a Yamaha RX-V663 for now as a prepro, but as newer, true prepro models come out - watch my sig - it will change !

Sheesh, I'm getting tired of waiting for all the new pre-pros. The Cary (and a few others) have been "on the way" seemingly forever.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by RUR

Sheesh, I'm getting tired of waiting for all the new pre-pros. The Cary (and a few others) have been "on the way" seemingly forever.

I know how you feel

[jdc115]

Originally Posted by RUR

Sheesh, I'm getting tired of waiting for all the new pre-pros. The Cary (and a few others) have been "on the way" seemingly forever.

There is a thread on AVS about pre-amps if you have an interest where they outline everything available and what is annouced or believed to be coming out. I think there should be some from B&K and Parasound in the works. The high end stuff will always be slow to adopt and usually has more issues to overcome as they do not have the economy of scales and ability to test and troubleshoot.

I have read very closely all the issues with Rotel and NAD with their HDMI preamps (I have the NAD T175) and though they may offer better sound then typical receivers they do have more quirks that average users may not put up with.

[RUR]

Originally Posted by jdc115

There is a thread on AVS about pre-amps if you have an interest where they outline everything available and what is annouced or believed to be coming out.

I've been subscribed to Eric's thread for a while, if that's the one you mean.