Surround sound processors without preamps
default -- Mon, 10/19/2009 - 13:32
Laura (not verified) -- Thu, 10/15/2009 - 18:37
Hello all,
I need help in figuring out what to use for surround sound processing on my current 5.1 system, I have had enjoyed home theater since the mid eighties and still have many of my original components that I am not wanting to part with... (1985) Bryston 3b amp, (1985) Research SP-8 preamp, (1985)Sota Turntable with kisiki gold arm and talisman cartridge,(1998) Classe CD transport, (1998)Theta DDA converter, (1985)Nakamichi B-300 cassette deck, (1995)Marantz mono block, (1995) Hafler 120 amp, (2001) sony dvd player(basic lower priced unit) one pair of(1998) Martin Logans CLS IIz ,(1985) Velodyne ULD 15 subwoofer,(1995) Martin Logan Cinema center channel and a pair of (2001) Martin Logan wall hanging Script speakers, my speaker wires and interconnects are Van Den Hul golds, Randall Research interconnects, Van Den Hul interconnects, Some of their highest grade of Monster Cable interconnects and video cables on the video side, (1998) Barco Data 808S CRT Projector and a 104" screen.
I have been using a (1990) sony surround sound processor, this is a stand alone processor with no pre amp/power amp, This processor is no longer working correctly and unable to handle HDMI which I am planning on upgrading my barco projector to and getting a oppo DVD player for HDMI blu ray ability.
My question is how do I use my older preamp and amps that I currently have yet be able to get into the latest HDMI and surround sound processing now available? Most if not all of the surround sound processors have their own preamps and that will not allow me to use my SP-8 for it's superior sound? IS there a similar stand alone processor that is HDMI/Blu Ray capable available? Or do I have to go with something that will not allow me to use my SP-8 anymore? What about using my turntable? Many of the processor/preamp units I have looked at do not allow me to use the turntable such as the newest Outlaw 997 that I have looked at. Please advise all possible ways to give me the stereo sound I love yet upgrade into the latest video surround sound too, OH and I am hoping to keep it as close to 2k as possible for this surround sound processor
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Laura,
Good question. I've asked a related question to Neil Gader under his Best of RMAF column: Did he see any next-gen DAC's that have surround sound decoding? Hopefully he'll respond. If you haven't seen Robert Harley's recent article about the Classe' Pre/Pro, you should look it up in TAS. He claims it makes a no-compromise 2 channel preamp as well as an outstanding multi-channel controller. No faint praise from RH who ususally likes things that are stratospherically priced. The Classe' was affordable, comparatively speaking. Your system sounds like where I'm heading incidently, i.e. Martin Logans as the primary voice in a full multi-channel capable system. I've got the speakers in place but am using a much more humble high-end Onkyo AV receiver which solves the multi-channel problem, and am also running the new Oppo universal player. I'd like to go to the Marantz pre-pro, or the Classe' if I win the lottery. At the end of the day, however, I still think properly done "surround" sound is better than mere stereo. Heresy!
This problem I think is common to many like myself that have a 2-channel system with high-end gear and want to take advantage of high-resolution audio now available on Blu-Ray such as Dolby TrueHD. The problem is the absence of any DACs that have DHMI inputs that are not also surround sound processor/preamps. Hence, one is required to ditch one’s current dac and preamp. I for one am reluctant to give up my Mark Levinson system with my No. 380S preamp. I suspect that pretty much any processor with HDMI that would have to replace my existing dac and preamp would make things sound worse, at least as to standard-resolution material. Robert Harley's excellent review of the Classe 800 has made me reconsider, however. I know he mentions in the review that the 800 competes with high-end preamps, but I wonder if it really does not still take at least a little something away from teh sound quality.
Robert, if you have any further thoughts on how the Classe compares as a preamp to the likes of the 380S, I would very much like to know what you think.
There are some cheap and some expensive Surround sound processors