Looks like you are all set for great two channel sound except for your cdp and your preamp,so I would go there. For a good pre I would go with a passive transformer volume control like I did or a good tube active with a pass through for home theater. I was in the same boat as you not to long ago. I had my sunfire theatergrand prepro pulling double duty ($3400) and it is very,very good on two channel but still not good enough. I posted on my pre choice a couple of days ago so you can read it if you would like. A transformer volume control is a simple high quality volume control that allows you to run your cdp straight to your amp without an active preamp. You can have as many inputs-outputs as you need,rca and or xlr. A lot of people go the tube rought and I would say that would be great also. I have no experience with your Pioneer model so I can't really say if you need an upgrade there,my guess would be that you do.
Need advice for pre/pro and front end
I am upgrading my audio/HT system and would appreciate any help. I am a life long music fanatic but regained interest in audio equipment through home theater. This journey began about a year ago with the purchase of a Harmon Kardon AVR 520 receiver, HK dvd changer, polk sub, center, and in-wall surrounds. The HK stuff replaced a Luxman reciver and CDP and I used my old Snell E's as fronts. I later added an Anthem PVA5 power amp and with the AVR used as a pre/pro. At this stage HT was fine. Next curiosity of sacd/dvd-a brought a Pioneer DV-45a. After aquiring a number of the high resolution discs I got an Outlaw ICBM and can now enjoy the format. I would still prefer digital output for sacd/dvd-a but the Outlaw works pretty good for now. My next step was to upgrade the music end of my system. I found a deal on used Paradigm studio 100v2's and a Classe CA-200 for fronts. This has been a satisfing combination. I also got a Paradigm studio CC ( HT is still important as I really enjoy watching movies with my wife and kids). My next purchase will be a Rel Storm sub. For info purposes I also have a twenty year old Luxman TT with a Grado cart. and NAD preamp. I enjoy collecting old albums but am not very interested (at least for now) in upgrading this end. I am still using the AVR as a pre/pro with the DV-45a as the sole digital front end. The AVR has a large number of features that I like that would be hard to come by on a reasonably priced used higher end pre/pro ( HDCD chip, Prologic II, DTS-neo ). While I am in limbo over the direction of high resolution digital how much am I missing out on using the AVR and the Pioneer as a CDP?
Also I have a philosiphy that the cost of the equipment should not exceed that of the music ( you gotta rationalize somehow ). Since I probably have ~ 1000 cd's, 500 lp's and 20+ sacd/dvd-a's I think there is a little budget left. I appreciate your patience with this rambling and probably too broad of a query but would welcome any advise, opinions or criticism.
Thanks, Bryan
Also I have a philosiphy that the cost of the equipment should not exceed that of the music ( you gotta rationalize somehow ). Since I probably have ~ 1000 cd's, 500 lp's and 20+ sacd/dvd-a's I think there is a little budget left. I appreciate your patience with this rambling and probably too broad of a query but would welcome any advise, opinions or criticism.
Thanks, Bryan
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