I want to seperates but (1 Viewer)

[gene avallon]

I want to go separates,ill spend 1500 or so on a amp.but I dont want to spend that much or more on a pre amp.what I need is 5.1or6.1,componet vido switching at least 50MZH.can I get a receiver with pre amp outs to do the job a lot cheaper than a pre amp?is there a pre amp that will do the job?

thanks

gene

 

[felix_suwarno]

i also wish there was a complete FAQ about separates + receiver combo. this is confusing!

i am on the same boat here, please help us...

 

[Miles_W]

Gene, is 1500 for both the amp and pre amp or for just the amp? The Outlaw 950 is soon to be available with a host of excellent features for the price... a very reasonable introductory 900$... have a look www.outlawaudio.com

 

[Selden Ball]

Gene and Felix,

Traditionally, separate pre-amp/processors and amplifiers have tended to be priced higher than comparable receivers because of their relative quality and sales volume. Low end receivers ($300) have all the bells-and-whistles features, but are unlikely to have as pleasant a sound. These days, you can also spend more on a high end receiver (~$4K for a Denon 5803) than on "low end" separates (~$1.5K for each).

Pre/pros usually cost more than amplifiers of similar quality: they are significantly more complex.

Many people do augment receivers with external amplifiers. You usually can't do that with the least expensive receiver models, however. They don't have the necessary pre-amp outputs.

If you want to keep the cost down, you should consider preowned or refurbished equipment. Apparently Lexicon is remarketing for extremely reasonable prices (~$1K) digital pre/pros that they've accepted as trade-ins, to pick one example. Most Lexicons don't accept component video, however.

Don't forget that one of the reasons for separates is to avoid introducing unnecessary sources of noise -- like video in an audio unit.

About a year ago I purchased separates in about the same price range as Gene is considering. A lot more went into my choice than just the price, however. You really need to start with a list of the features you need, want, and could live without. I decided to start with the list of equipment on the THX web site. In addition to the THX processing features, their certification requires that the equipment pass rigorous tests of reliability and quality -- think of it as an insurance policy.

For what it's worth, I wound up with Marantz equipment: the AV9000 pre/pro and MM9000 5 channel amp. I've found their sound to be much more pleasant than the Pioneer receiver they replaced.

I hope this helps a little.

 

[Michael Reuben]

Don't cut corners on a pre/pro. In today's world of digital audio, the pre/pro has to do all sorts of sophisticated tasks that will probably have much more influence on what you ultimately hear than the choice of amplifier.

It's even more important not to cut corners if you want good video switching too. Generally, video signals are more fragile than audio signals, and a cheaply engineered video switcher can seriously degrade what you see -- especially with component connections.

M.

 

[gene avallon]

miles

is that canadian money?thats a good deal.serious 1500 for both pieces,Iknow that wont do it.if my receiver had pre amp outs id have the amp now.ill play around with my new subs for a while.I only watch dvd,and hdtv.never cds,I dont know if that makes a difference in the scemes of thing.

thanks

gene

 

[felix_suwarno]

do we need a pre-amp too for lfe channel?

btw thanks for those replies

 

[Miles_W]

No the Outlaw price is us$ I would also pursue a used 5 channel amp as an alternative to new...

Felix, the pre-pro usually has an output for the LFE channel. It is a feature that has become common place since dd 5.1 has been around!

Miles

 

[gene avallon]

miles

I found out the 950 will componet switching at 45MHZ that should do it for hdtv.I cant find any thing else about it where can I go to find out.with 2 grand I should be able to get 2 pieces.whats with preamp 1050?

gene

 

[Miles_W]

Gene,

the outlaw 1050 is a reciever... not a pre-pro! they do have an amp though it is the 750 (I think 5 channels or the new 770 7 channels...)

 

[gene avallon]

MILES

how do I preorder the 950?I couldnt fid a spot on the web site,they talked about it there thats it,ill get that and worry about an amp later. good or bad idea?

thanks

gene

snowing up a storm here

 

[Miles_W]

Gene,
there is a waiting list here is the link to get on it. I do think that it is a good idea, you can always lock in the price for the pre-pro and get the amp later!
http://www.outlawaudio.com/waitlist.html
good luck
Miles

 

[gene avallon]

miles

I put myself on the list for the 950 last week.I noticed the 770 amp seven channels,200 watts, at a decent price? what is family discount? will I get a discount if I buy both at same time? is there a list for the 770? hey were getting there.

thanks again

gene

will the 950 be able to supply everything the 770 needs?

 

[Miles_W]

Gene, I am glad to hear you put yourself on the list! I think that you will have a real winner with the outlaw product! as for the 770I am not sure if they have announced it for sale yet. I would imagine there is a "family" discount if you have already purchased outlaw product I believe they give you a small discount as a thank you! the 770 should be the perfect match for the 950! good luck

 

[Richard Burzynski]

Gene:
If you're on a budget, there's nothing wrong with using a receiver as a prepro (w/ preouts). See the references in this thread:
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htfo...threadid=39107
And you'll see that for $500-600 USD, you can get all the functionality you'll need.
Rich B.