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Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated

I have not posted anything in many moons so here goes.

My current system consists of a Nuforce Oppo 93 extreme universal player, Pannie VT30 65 Plasma, Reimer speaker systems (2 Tetons, 3 McColloughs and powered Reimer sub), 2 Adcom amps (2 channel and 3 channel) modified by Stan Warren and an Audio Refinement Pre2 DSP. My habits tend to be 75% music and 25% movies. I also frequently use the hi res audio formats of SACD and DVD Audio as well as 2 channel listening (I am in the digital realm - no vinyl).

While I do love my modest little system, I know it is quite outdated along the lines of the amp and processor. I would like to spend around $5000.00 or less here at Audiogon and upgrade.

My only wish is to find a processor that allows me to include the sub when in direct mode for 2 channel listening. My current set up only does so when the Oppo has the speaker configuration set to small for the fronts which is annoying when you have front channels that can reach 14hz by themselves. I just like to have the option of adding the sub as the system is in a rather large room and depending on what I am listening to I might want a little extra push on the low end at times.

The problem is it is hard to know what to buy that would be an upgrade when you can't really audition different pieces in the system too easily. I like having a 2 channel and 3 channel amp rather than a single 5 channel amp as well. I think the system sounds really nice and has a warm analog quality but of course I wonder even how much better it could be. I am a musician and music teacher so I like to think I have good ears musically and can actually tell the difference in semblence of audio quality - depth, holography, placement, etc.

What would you all suggest for me given the parameters I have written? I appreciate your time and expertise. I know there is no better place to ask for suggestions than here at Audiogon where I buy my equipment as well.

Thanking you in advance...
LTheLipper
llippman
zd542
5,339 posts
 
You will probably get 2 types of general answers on this. Some people will recommend 2 channel only gear to be merged into a multi channel setup like you now have, and others will recommend better multi channel gear. I have no idea why, but the debates usually deteriorate into insults back and forth. I'm hoping that dosen't happen here.

Heres my recommendation. I believe that your biggest improvement in SQ will come in the form of a new preamp. Its an incredibly important piece in an audio system and until you get it right, your system will be lacking. I would take your $5000 budget and buy the best 2 channel preamp you can afford. It should have a HT pass through so you can still use your multi channel system for movies and music whenever you want to. Upgrade your amps at a latter date. Some brands I like are Ayre, BAT, Aesthetix and CJ. There are many other great choices as well. Also, I'm not up on every single feature so just make sure any of these preamps have the HT pass through feature you will need.
vicdamone
850 posts
 
You bought well in your YBA/ Audio Ref processor in its time.

As to goals leaning towards digital audio I'd say you need both a modern processor as well as a good preamp with HT bypass. Some of the best digital audio is on Blueray unfortunately there isn't much of it, yet. Multi channel DACs are only just becoming available and lack usable features.

I'd go cheap on an up to date HDMI processor and big on a tube preamp.
martykl
3,578 posts
 
I believe that the Theta prepros will allow this, but......

If you buy a current model prepro, there's a good chance you'll get Audyssey (or similar) for room correction and digital bass management. IME, using subs with Audyssey enabled provides amazing benefits in smooth bass response and seamless sub integration. Since your source material is all digital anyway (no ADC required for vinyl), I'd be surprised if you got better results in 2 channel using analog sub integration of the type you're seeking.

Good luck

Marty
noble100's avatar
noble100
2,419 posts
 
Lipper,

I'm in complete agreement with what Zed said (Zd542). I also 2nd what Vicdamone suggested: the new preamp with ht passthru should be a tube preamp.

Since you use your system 75% for music, 2-channel should be your priority for an upgrade. The ht passthru enables you to gain the benefits of a high quality tube preamp for music while maintaining the use of your processor for movie surround sound. Adcom amps can be a bit sterile and bright in the upper frequencies. Tubes will mitigate the brightness and your music will sound more liquid, textured, organic and realistic, especially on good recordings. I use a VTL 2.5 tube preamp, along with a Parasound processor, for this exact purpose and can verify it does what I described above very well. But I know there are several good quality tubed preamps with ht passthru that would also work well for you.

The keys are the tubes and the ht passthru. An added benefit is you can tailor the sound to your taste by substituting the supplied tubes with after-market ones. NOS (new old stock) Mullards in the VTL have matched my taste the best so far.

Good luck and let us know if you need help with hookup instructions.

Tim
llippman OP
29 posts
 
Thank you for your responses. It has helped tremendously to the point where I think I will take your advice and buy a tube 2 channel pre with a pass through and a processor.

The only thing is I cannot envision how this is wired? I would be totally new to this type of setup and I cannot picture how the wiring is configured in this fashion. Is it 'daisy chained' from the processor to the tube pre to the amp?

How confused do I sound now?

Thanks for helping me folks.

Lipper
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