Pre-pro Advice for B&W 802d HT System


Hello All,

I am in the market for a pre-pro and wanted your guy’s opinions on my options. I have been reading a lot for about 3 months, but still would like some more opinions. The main things I can looking for in new pre-pro are excellent audio detail and a good wide open soundstage. Also, I would like high quality HD video and good up conversion (although up conversion is less important). The following is my current system:

AVR – Denon 2808ci
Amp – Cinenova Grande 7 x 300
DVD – Panasonic S52
Speakers: All B&W
Center: HTM2D
Fronts: 703s
Sides: DS7
Rears: 602s3
Audioquest interconnects

Future Plans:
Amp - McIntosh MC205 and MC402, might go with Classe, but right now planning on Mac
Blu-Ray – Oppo or Ps3 – Oppo if I need analog outs and PS3 if I don’t.
Speakers:
Fronts - 802Ds – Looking to get them in 6 months or so.
Rears - My 703s or 805s

I am looking to spend between $2000 and $5000 for a new pre-pro. My options can be broken down in to two categories: those with the new HD audio formats and those without.

Those with the new audio codecs:
Rotel 1570 – Rotel is always considered to be a good brand with high quality audio. However, after reading a lot about this pre-pro, it seems to have more problems than it should. Some of those problems include poor remote, poor video quality, and audio drop outs.

Marantz AV8003 – I always think of Marantz audio quality is slightly below Rotel. Video processing is better and a few more features (although not that important to me).

Anthem AVM50v – Anthem makes good pre-pros, however some say they can be bright. They supposedly will have excellent video quality and good soundstage.

Anthem D2v used – I would have to wait a while tell a used one gets on the market maybe a year or year and half. However, this is supposed to be one of the best pre-pro on the market. Great Soundstage, video, and audio detail. Again might be bright.

Those without the new audio codecs:
Classe SSP – 600 maybe used– Classe as a lot of you get to experience first hand make great components. Their sound is very detailed and has a good soundstage. I am not sure about video processing.

Classe SSP – 800 used – Same things as the 600 just with better audio. I heard they were going to make it upgradable for the audio codecs, not when this will happen.

Anthem D2 used – same as above expect no wait and no audio codecs.

McIntosh MX136 used – Known for great sound. Don’t know about video processing.

Rotel – 1069 or similar used – Great deals, would be well below my price range. Good quality sound.

These are main pre-pros I have been considering. Also, remember that if I choose one without the codecs I will have to buy interconnects from the Oppo Blu Ray player to the pre-pro – estimated cost of $300 - $400.

I wished I lived closer to stores were I can audition these, but I do not. Thus I like to have a lot of information before I make the weekend trip to Denver to listen to them. Thanks in advance for all you help.
jkk7859

Showing 4 responses by kennyt

Jkk,

I have had several of the anthem D2's, and I can say they are not bright by any means. I don't know who told you that, but go listen to them, they are very smooth and neutral. Also, you can upgrade any D2 to the new specs at any time, so if you want, you could buty one, likely even with ARC for your budget used and send it in for a couple hundred bucks and get it updated to the D2v status (I do not know the actual price of this upgrade, but Anthem has always done thhese upgrades very reasonably in the past)

Jeff,

You obviously haven't heard the new audio codecs or you wouldn't feel the way you do, they are a HUGE leap in performance for HT!
Jeff,

He could do that, but he doesn't have any analog sources, so it might be wasted. I personally like the older Proceed gear for analog, and DD/DTS but as these are now dated, they are almost worthless. This can be good (if you can live with these limitations) or really bad (if you paid the $10K the PAV/PDSD was) so you have to decide on your own.
Pkubica,

I am currently running the Krell Evo 707 and can honestly say it does two channel as well as HT! It's pricey, but it is a true one box solution for both worlds!
Paul,

I used to go that route, but I don't need to anymore with the Krell.

Jeff,

Actually it's $30,000! Yeah, Paul is right on the bang for the buck, but to me HT is also very important.