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Seeking AV preamp for Emotiva XPR-5

Dudes:

I'm crestfallen. I bought the Onkyo TX-NR515 only to discover through this forum that I can't connect it to my Emotiva XPR-5 power amp because it doesn't have any pre-outs.

I've spent thousands and I still haven't heard the system! When I tell my wife this is absolutely essential equipment and much more important than the car or the bills - she doesn't understand :) so I have to get this right.

Can anyone recommend a preamp or receiver with preouts that will connect to my power amp? I'm sure I'll be happy with anything that has at least 3 HDMI inputs and can read MP3s from flash memory or a USB hard drive.

My speakers are all 4 ohm Magnaplanars:

MG 1.6 Front
MG CC2 Center
MG MC1 Rear

Her understanding is at a very low ebb right now so my budget is down to about $600.

Thanks - rev

revnice

Showing 1 response by yakbob

yakbob
449 posts
 
Lucky for you the mistake was with your least expensive piece of equipment (the Onkyo).

Can we factor in any of the "to be sold" TX-NR515 money in your budget? I'm guessing it would net about $150 used.

The need for 3 HDMI and USB inputs will likely limit you to the big box store type units.

If you're willing to forgo USB, lots of owners are unloading their Emotiva UMC-1s in anticipation of the XMC-1. They're going for about $350 used. This, and your Onkyo sale would leave you with enough leftover to take the wife out for a nice dinner...or fixing that car...or paying those bills.

I'd also recommend the Emotiva MMC-1 if you can find one. Has HDMI pass through only, but certainly a reliable unit and an excellent value.
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