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 pkubica

I'm somewhere in the area that you are heading. I have a 5.1 Analog/HT system with 802D's and the HTM2D on the front, 805's on the rear and a Velodyne sub. I'm trying to achieve 85% 2 channel analog and 15% theater.

To achieve your goals, I would consider the Classe. They seem to be joined at the hip with B&W. I listened to them extensively and they sound good together, especially the HT.

After a lot of listening, I didn't like any HT units for my vinyl. I kept my older Aragon processor for HT and bought an ARC tube preamp with a theater pass thru. The 802D's need power (current) to perform. There I went with Class D ICE amps and have them bi-amped. That did more for the system than anything else and they match well with the tube preamp. Throw in some good silver wire balanced interconnects and you're ready to rock.

If you need any specifics, shoot me a note off list.
Everyone in this thread has made good valid points. From my experience with 2 Channel/HT systems is does seem that changes that bring better 2 Channel have always made the HT better as well. So designing for good 2 channel has been my priority and the HT has never suffered and has always pleased me. Designing for the HT has provided a few disasters on the 2 channel side. One of which was trying to get good 2 channel out of a HT processor. I might have been able to live with the Classe processor doing both, but not now that I have a tube 2 channel preamp in the system.
Kennyt... I didn't investigate the Stratosphere , but in my price range it became obvious that the HT processor performed its function well, and the tube preamp performed its 2 channel function well. Being able to select the best for each function and then have them integrate into a single system worked best for me and gave me the sound I was seeking.

I had not heard your Krell and I'm sure it's very good, but of the 10-15 HT processors that I have heard none came up to the 2 channel quality of the ARC tube preamp... IMHO

I firmly believe that in a combo HT/2 channel system, 2 separate units give you the best bang for the bucks and let you select the best sound for each.

Paul