Hi Folks,

I’m trying to decide if I want to get A) a pre pro (like the 990) + amps, B) a receiver, or C) a plain 2 channel preamp + amps + AV receiver just for movies. I listen to about 90% music and 10% movies (5.1). Not into all the latest features. Sound quality is my highest priority. I’m looking for comments on the 990 relative to some of these other options.

Arcam AVR300: I have listened to it. Great sounding receiver, excellent when used only as a pre pro. And the built in amp is not too shabby. Could use the amp for all speakers for a while. Maybe add amps later for the main speakers if I choose to. Could always use the amp for the rear and center speakers. But it’s $2,000 and will be obsolete some day.

Audio Refinement Pre-2DSP: Like the 990, it’s a pre pro (no amp). Not made any more, but used is about $800- cheap. Supposedly sounds incredible. I have not heard one yet. Not many features, the interface/manual might be a little Spartan. But really good sound.

Audio Refinement Pre 5: Maybe $1000. Just a preamp, no processing. I have not heard one. Supposedly sounds really good. Will not become obsolete. I could (I think) add a cheap ($400) receiver with preouts for the occasional movie. So I’d only loose $400 when technology marches on.

Odyssey Tempest: Around $1100-1700, depending on options. Same story as the Pre 5. Just a preamp, no processing. I have not heard one. Supposedly sounds really good. Will not become obsolete. I could (I think) add a cheap ($400) receiver with preouts for the occasional movie. So I’d only loose $400 when technology marches on.

990: I haven’t heard one. But at $1100, that’s all you loose when it becomes obsolete. No idea how the sound quality is relative to the other options. And I’m open to more options, still.

For pre pros, I’ve eliminated the following: Sherwood (just get an Outlaw), Rotel (hiss problems), B&K (quality control problems), Arcam 700 (not big improvement over 300 receiver for the extra money of needing amps).

Thanks!

-Jon

Hi,

Just wanted to let you know i have been using a Rotel 1068, which I purchased in preference to a 950. No hiss and sounds good to me. I have no plans to change to a 990 since it does not seem like a substantial enough upgrade over my 1068 to me. YMMV.

Jon,

From your want-list, I can tell that have done your homework and like good sound quality.

Arcam AVP700 owner here. I actually sold my more-expensive Anthem AVM30 after hearing its sound quality. Since I already had a good amp, I didn't even consider the AVR300.

I've also heard very good things about the Audio Refinement Pre-2DSP, but how the heck do you even see one, much less get one to audition? I was lucky enough to get my Arcam dealer to let me take home the AVP700 for a test-drive without buying.

Chris

So just this weekend I had a chance to listen to a Rotel 1068. With no music source playing, I cranked up the volume. Sure enough, there was a pretty loud hiss. So then I tried it with a simple Denon receiver. Total silence. I asked the sales guy and he said all the Rotels do that, but it doesn't matter because you won't hear the hiss when music is playing. Perhaps... but it just doesn't sit well with me. If it was a $99 piece of junk, OK. But with what an investment it is, I think the hiss is enough to keep me away.

Yeah, I've been doing a fair amount of homework on this one. And you got it, sound quality is definitely more important to me than features.

Glad you're happy with the Arcam. Everything I've read about it has been high praise.

How do you try out an Audio Refinement Pre2-DSP? I don't know. They almost seem like a stealth company- they don't want anyone to know they exists. The Pre2-DSP isn't even on their web site. And there's not much info out there about these pre pros. They sell used pretty cheap- $500-900, depnding on whether or not they have the DPL-II update. I'm almost tempted to just buy one used and see how it goes.

Other options include an old Lexicon DC-1/DC-2/MC-1. Used those are pretty cheap as well ($500-800). The Outlaw 990 is pretty cheap. But I haven't heard much with regard to it's sound quality relative to any of these other "pretty serious" pre pros.

On one hand, shopping for stereo equipment is really fun. It's all toys. On the other hand, it's frustrating because you can almost never try out two pieces of gear you're considering, side by side.

Keep in mind that with the Outlaw product(s) you CAN try it out in your own home for 30 days. Now all you need to do is get a dealer to lend you something to put beside it for the same time!

As another option, have you considered Outlaw's 1070?

Interesting. How long did your listening session last? This was in a showroom and not in your own system with components you know? I do not think your salesman has heard "every Rotel" because I know of at least one that does not hiss. As I said YMMV but I have to stick with my ears.