AVR as pre/pro

Hey all... I'm thinking about buying a 775 to power a Definitive Technology 5.0 HT setup - BP7002s, CLR2500, BPXs - and I'm looking for recommendations for an inexpensive - <$500 - AVR to use as a pre/pro. The Denon AVR-2105 or -1905 or Yamaha HTR-5860 seem like good choices, and refurb/b-stocks are really inexpensive on E-bay, but the Denons only have 1 Coax digital input and the Yamaha has only 2.

Any of you guys have other/better suggestions? Thanks.

I used a Yamaha 5760 as a pre/pro with a 755 and 2 M200s, and was very pleased with the performance. If you can use optical inputs, the 5860 should work for you.

The Yamaha RV-1500 is a good choice for the price point. You may also look at an Outlaw 950 since they are being sold off on eBay due to the 990.

Thanks, guys...

Paratrooper.. yes I can use opticals. Good to hear that the Yamaha worked well with the 755 - at $335 I don't think I can go wrong with that one...

Trikos... both are great suggestions... that Yamaha has some nice features, especially video upconversion...

I just have to decide how much I want to spend and what I really need. I may just split the difference and get the RX-V757.

ZiggyZoggyOiOiOi,

My thinking is along the same line as trikos. You might want to consider trying to pick up a used 950. Before I purchased an Outlaw 950 I was using a Yamaha RX-V2200. When I mated the Yamaha with a pair of Outlaw monoblocks it helped the sound quite a bit. But when I changed out the Yamaha with the 950, I felt that there was a major improvement in the sound. I voiced my original impressions at this post: http://ubb.outlawaudio.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=001384

I hope that this helps some.

Jeff

I used a Yamaha RX-V793 as a pre/pro for about a year. I really like Yamaha DSP. Best of the mass market receiver companies IMO. Either the Yamaha or the 950 I think would make a good choice.

Hey jeff... wanna let me come take a listen when I'm in pittsburgh next month? I'm just kidding ;-)

I'm not in any great hurry to make a decision - my basement won't be done for at least another month, probably closer to 2. That gives me a chance to wait and try to find a good deal.

I like the idea of the 950, but I'd be more inclined to buy something cheaper for now and add in a 990 in a year or so - but it depends what I find.

Kevin, thanks for the input on the Yammie - I agree on the DSP thing, and on their features in general. I'm just not crazy about the Yamaha amps - hence the 755.

Yamaha does built one of better DSP's for the 1500/2500 for that price range of receiver.

Anyone use any H/K receivers as a pre/pro? I'm liking their build quality more than the similarly priced (read: sub $400) Yamaha and Denon units and their sound is far superior. It's obvious the high-current amps in the H/Ks make a big difference when used alone, but how are they as a pre/pro?

ZiggyZoggyOiOiOi,

Sorry I didn't get back with you earlier, but I haven't been keeping up with posts as well as I could. Even though you were joking, I'd be glad to have anybody at any time stop by, but my primary system is not in Morgantown, but my home about 70 miles south of there. I have an apartment in Morgantown where I live 4 days a week and then return home for three. My second system that I often refer to is the setup that I have in my apartment. The apartment just doesn't have enough room to setup the 990/770/BA system and do it justice. The living room is only about 12'x13'. But if you're ever around Elkins, WV, let me know and stop by.

Jeff

ZiggyZoggyOiOiOi, there are a great many people out there doing exactly what you are thinking about doing .

Not all but most rec. have respectible processing power built into them . H&K utilizes Cirrus Logic (crystal) chips albeit different than the ones incorporated into the 990 . That still says alot about their build quality .

I myself was using a Yamaha RXV2500 as a pre/pro in my system until my brother talked me into loaning it to him . When I first started to use the Yamaha as a pre/pro . I noticed a substantial difference in sound quality right away with a more robust fuller sound that had a wider range of dynamics to it .

I can only think it will improve and not hinder your sound quality by utilizing seperate amps and bypassing the internal amps of the rec. .
It will take alot of the grunt work off the rec. and allow it to preform better .

Actually, the Cirrus chip used in the 990 is the same one that HK has used for a number of years, and they still use it in a number of their products, including the HK AVR 7300 flagship model. More recent HK receivers make VERY good use of the TI DA 610.

However, the CS 49400 used in the 990, the HK receivers and many others is a very good processor. THe differences come in how it is implemented, and each brand has their own spin on that.

Thanks for the heads up podboy I didn't know they still used CS chip in the less than $500 range receivers .

E.S.Ob:

As far as I can determine, HK still uses Cirrus DSPs in all of their receivers except the new 635 and 435 models, where the TI DA 610 is used.

Thanks, Jeff.. I'll keep that in mind

Thanks, E'pin... I'm aware that many people use receivers as a pre/pro with Outlaw amps, I was just curious if anyone had any direct experience with the HKs.

At this point it doesn't matter - I'll get to experience it for myself. I couldn't pass up the chance to pick up a refurb AVR235 (from Harman direct on Ebay) for $260. Among its many features is an AV Sync Delay, which I will likely need for this system, since I'll be running an upconverting DVD player (Denon DVD-2910) through 30' of component and/or DVI cable to a front projector. And when/if my needs change it will be easy to swap out that receiver for whatever the technology of the day is.

Best of luck ZiggyZoggyOiOiOi . I know it will sound better as a pre/pro .

For some strange reason I have this incredible urge to down a beer swine everytime I type your user name .

Thanks... I'm sure I'll enjoy it