2. amps-preamps
  3. 1415797988

Transparent Stereo From Surround Preamp/Processor

I'll start by saying that I realize that this could have been posted in the home theater section. However, because my inquiry is truly in the interest of 2-channel stereo listening, I felt that it was more appropriate here.

First and foremost, two-channel music is my priority. Surround is secondary to me.

I have been building/tweaking my two-channel system for years, and have arrived at a place that I absolutely love, which has my DAC running directly to my power amp.

I also plan to incorporate 5-channel surround (plus two subs,) with my two channel stereo rig serving as the main L/R amp & speakers, when in surround mode.

This has been a work in progress, and I have looked at many options, in how to integrate these two. I am leaning toward a high-end pre-pro that will handle all duties, rather than do two separate systems, via theater pass-through, etc.

However, my real challenge is finding the right pre-pro, which will not compromise the wonderful sound that I get from running my DAC directly to the power amp, for 2-channel music listening, which is better than 85% of the time.

I also would not mind if the pre-pro offered a quality room correction/speaker optimization, etc. But, again, not if it is at the expense of the magic that I currently have in my 2-channel rig.

I am looking for pre-pro recommendations that, in your experience, can pass the stereo source through, with no detectable loss or sonic changes.

I am not looking for a list of "xxx is a nice sounding pre-pro." I am on a mission to find a nice sounding pre-pro ***that will not compromise the sound that I have with my current 2-channel arrangement.***

The budget is not set in stone. But to throw a number on it, I'm expecting to be in the $10K +/- range.

I look forward to your recommendations.

Thank you.
barrelchief

Showing 1 response by martykl

martykl
3,578 posts
 
For me, it's hard to answer this question without two key pieces of information:

1) Is your two channel system 2.0 or 2.2. If it's 2.2 (subs active for music) then you have to consider how to best cross-over to the subs. Which raises the question:

2) Is all your source material digital?

If the answer to both questions is "yes", then I'd choose amongst the best pre-pros (instead of using a high-end preamp and a separate processor with HT bypass) for both music and theater because IME crossing within the pre-pro is highly likely to optimize the hand-off from main speaker to the subs. This will benefit music listening in two-channel more than any offsetting degradation within the analog section of the pre-pro, IMHO.

If the answer to both questions is "no", a good pre-amp and HT by-pass is probably your best call because you don't need to worry about the x-over function and most (tho certainly not all) folks will be happier with a high-end pre-amp for music.

If the answer to #1 is "yes" and #2 is "no", you've got a more complicated decision on your hands.
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