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I am unsatisfied with my current pre-amplifier which I believe has digital processing built in. I am looking for one which has pass through 5.1 analog audio with minimum distortion for a reasonable price. I need no bells and whistles such as DSP processing or DTS/AC3 decoding - I just want to provide volume controld for my SACD player and nothing else.
The best I can find so far is the ADCOM GTP-830 (btw, any feedback on this unit is also appreciated) which I can find for about $924 (list is $1200), but I would prefer spending significantly less, especially since I really need minimum capabilities, just high quality analog only volume control for a 5.1 source...
Update: I have also found the Outlaw 950, which lists for $799 but can be found for around $550. Any feedback on this units performance also appreciated.
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Post by LC September 8, 2004 (2 of 22)
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DrOctodivx said:
I am unsatisfied with my current pre-amplifier which I believe has digital processing built in.
Great! I recommend continuous, Faustian striving for better and better audio. I also recommend not getting an inexpensive preamplifier. Paradoxically, minimalism will cost you, and there aren't many options. I recommend the Copland CVA306, a gorgeous 6-channel, all analogue, valve preamplifier. Haven't seen many used, but you might find a deal somewhere.
http://www.divertech.com/coplandcva306.html
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LC said:
Haven't seen many used, but you might find a deal somewhere.
Thanks ! A bit out of my price range, though I will keep my eye open in case I see a good deal for the copland unit.
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Post by vonwegen September 10, 2004 (4 of 22)
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DrOctodivx said:
I am looking for one which has pass through 5.1 analog audio with minimum distortion for a reasonable price. I need no bells and whistles such as DSP processing or DTS/AC3 decoding - I just want to provide volume controld for my SACD player and nothing else.
Well, you might try getting an external 5.1 powered speaker set-up for computers. I've done this myself as a stop-gap until I could afford a mid-range amp/speaker set-up, and with SACDs the sound is actually quite good.
HTH.
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Post by LC September 10, 2004 (5 of 22)
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vonwegen said:
Well, you might try getting an external 5.1 powered speaker set-up for computers.
Ugh... gack!
Active speakers have some very nice advantages, it they're done right. A good preamp/processor (such as the Copland, if you don't need processor functions, or Bryston or Theta if you do) run directly into, say, the cheapest PMC monitors could be just excellent. However, you'll almost certainly be wasting your time and money with anything built for PC audio. Don't you have a kidney or child you could sell?
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Well, you might try getting an external 5.1 powered speaker set-up for computers.
Well, my current setup would be better than that. I use a the pre-amp portion of my legacy Onkyo TX-SV919THX Surround receiver (basically hijacking the pre-in pre-out jacks to route it to my surround amplifier). The sound is very good, however I have reason to believe that the sound is somewhat degraded from what it could be since I have an outboard DTS decoder with its own volume control and when I route it through this pre-amp there is some definite loss of warmth compared to when I hook the decoder directly to my amplifier. I am imagining this is due to digital circuitry built into the TX-SV919THX pre-amp and so would like to replace this stage of my music system.
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Post by mbash September 15, 2004 (7 of 22)
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DrOctodivx said:
I am unsatisfied with my current pre-amplifier which I believe has digital processing built in. I am looking for one which has pass through 5.1 analog audio with minimum distortion for a reasonable price. I need no bells and whistles such as DSP processing or DTS/AC3 decoding - I just want to provide volume controld for my SACD player and nothing else.
What about the Sony TAP 9000ES. It was designed to go with their TAE/TAN 9000 pre/power setup and is all analogue.
Regards, Maurice
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What about the Sony TAP 9000ES.
Thanks Maurice,
This item actually sounds ideal and cost effective (last known used price $400) however it is no longer made and I am unable to find it being sold anywhere...
If any one know where I could buy a Sony TA-P9000ES pre-amp unit (for a reasonable price), please let me know.
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Update: I have also found the Outlaw 950, which lists for $799 but can be found for around $550. Any feedback on this units performance also appreciated.
I can definitely recommend the Outlaw 950 preamp (latest B-stock model) hooked up to their 5-channel 755 amp using the "Direct Bypass". A very very nice combination I've been listening to for just a couple of months at this point. No complaints and no regrets...I was looking for a good 5-way SACD amplification that didn't break my negative budget and I really think I found it. The whole thing with their PCA cables (7 of them) including shipping and the rest was just under $2K.
Best Regards, David Elias
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I can definitely recommend the Outlaw 950 preamp
I am seriously considering the Outlaw 950 (I don't need the amp - I already have a decent surround Amp). My main complaint about that unit (which is not true of either the the Adcom 830 or the TA-P900ES) is the lack of individual channel trims in bypass mode - there is only one main trim control.
However, I am still considering getting this unit, though it would require me to upgrade my SACD player to one which has built-in trim controls. The other two units have individual channel trims even in in bypass mode.
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