2. home-theater
  3. 1020285239

Name this Preamp

I'm needing some help in narrowing down a quality pre-amp that will be used 70% for music and 30% for home theater. The pre/processor must have an analog bypass with superior clarity for music - I don't want the stereo signal converted to digital via A/D-D/A. The pre/proc must decode DD, DTS and pro-logic (EX capabilities a bonus)It must also have a 5.1 (or 7.1) pre-in/out to accomodate SACD, DVD-A or both. Since CD processing will be done with an external DAC, I don't need the best DAC for the front channels but must be of high quality for all channels. The pre/proc must also have good bass management capabilities. The budget for this is around $1000 and used equipment is fine. What out there fits these requirements???
treyhoss
ozfly
887 posts
 
Walter, I agree with your suggestion -- and they are finally shipping. My hat's off to you. It's a tribute to our craft/obsession when someone in the business recommends a product they don't carry. Mr. Integrity, you da man!
treyhoss OP
287 posts
 
Wally, Thank you for your suggestion. I went to their website and checked some user threads of the Outlaw 950 (you have to access it by going to the April newsletter - on the left of the Outlaw main page)! Aside from excitement over the unit finally shipping (it seems they don't charge your credit/debit card UNTIL it ships - that's a GREAT deal there! I wish all companies would do that! Sorry, I digress) most of the other recent threads included bad hissing through the stereo and 5.1 analog outputs. And there a LOT of postings on that topic - a few too many for my confort at this point. That said, these were comments from the beta version users. I'll check the site in a couple of weeks and see what comments get posted from the people just now receiving their units. It looks like a great machine with all of the features I posted I was looking for - thank's for the head's-up! However, a unit without a low noise floor usually gets the death sentence from me. If there are any Outlaw 950 owners out there, could you supply a comment on this? Thanks! Tony
larryb
101 posts
 
I have the Outlaw 950 and the hiss isn't an issue for me. I have to be within inches of the tweater to hear it. For the price it's hard to go wrong, though since you're into music I can't really recommend its 2 channel performance. I find it a bit harsh and a bit shrill in 2 channel and not terribly musical.

My solution will be to get a used 2 channel pre with HT bypass. Though I've heard better for movies, the sound is pretty darned good at the price. And getting a processor that does both movies and music well gets very expensive.
treyhoss OP
287 posts
 
Thanks for the feedback Larryb!
redwoodgarden
150 posts
 
You will not find a good home theater D/A processor for $1000, new or used. Period! Your best bet is to run your movie sound through a stereo unit and forget the home theater processor. If you listen to stereo music 70% of the time with this setup, you will be miserable 70% of the time. I have been through all this before. Learn from my mistakes.
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