USNRET Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 Looking for inputs on near term purchase of a preamp with HT bypass function and bass management. Not interested in Emotiva preamps. My searching thus far has only found a Parasound 2100 2.1 preamp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willland Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 1 hour ago, USNRET said: Parasound 2100 2.1 preamp A wonderful preamp. I owned one for a while and combined with the matching 2125 stereo amp the sound was awesome. I never even tried the HT bypass feature because my NAD pre/pro handles 2-channel very well. I think the Cambridge Audio 840E offers the same. There is a comprehensive list out there with both preamps and integrated amps that have the feature. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam2434 Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 Might also check out the Parasound Halo P5 and P7. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted January 25, 2017 Author Share Posted January 25, 2017 51 minutes ago, adam2434 said: Might also check out the Parasound Halo P5 and P7. P5 looks good, wish it had balanced connection for the HT bypass. The P7 is multi-channel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chriswhotakesphotos Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 I'm definitely going for those features for my next preamp. They're very relevant to modern listening and for some reason seem like they'd been neglected for some time. Bass management seems like a must, there's no need to bother the speakers with very low bass. I've looked at Parasound and Emotiva there and if I were going for Parasound, I'd want the P5. It has filtration for both the speakers and subwoofer, while I believe the 2100 only has it for the subwoofer. I'd personally be more interested in the speaker filter than the subwoofer filter, so that's the one I'd get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frzninvt Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 Find a Juicy Music Peach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted January 25, 2017 Author Share Posted January 25, 2017 I have had the Peach. Will be used in conjunction with Marantz 8801 and (for now) Emotiva XPA-5 amp to Khorns. I have a pair of PSA subs with one in use I could use the one active in HT or install the other for 2 channel only. Required: must sound better than my Marantz AV8801 in stereo mode, <$1500 Desires: SS as tube has a higher initial cost (I think) Remote control HT bypass engaged when preamp is not on (default to HT bypass) DAC not that important. I can use my on board source DAC (Oppo 105) or invest in external Accessible bass management controls (on rear is a hassle) Bass control on remote would be nice XLR input / output on the HT bypass circuit not required on source inputs Phono stage not needed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jainbaby Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 Do you guys think we should build this function into the PowerGate MAX? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coytee Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 Mike, how would you rate the Peach vs the Marantz in stereo mode? (asks someone who has a Peach and is considering the Marantz) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted January 26, 2017 Author Share Posted January 26, 2017 Funny you should ask that at this moment Richard. As you might recall, I had the Peach in with several varieties of amps but always with Belles. I have sent way too many hours in the last few days researching a new pre-amp^^^^^. Today I have just the Marantz / Emo combo but with 1/2 way enclosed back Khorns (one panel on each outboard side). I had about an hour today while the house was empty and streamed some FLAC from my NAS to the Marantz. I played around and finally found the Audyssey OFF menu and listened in stereo 2.1 and I was very, very impressed. So much so that until I finish the other enclosures and speaker positioning I will not be looking to buy a preamp soon. It was very good (had to check the Belle center to make sure it was no on. I had a discussion with a person at Cary Audio today as they had a B stock preamp down from ~$2K to 1K that had but not a lot of my desired feature. I was told that it might might a minor difference over my 8801 but don't expect night/day; I might want to go with the $8K model...... With all that rambling I find the Marantz prepro more than adequate at this time. Totally different systems but together this sounds better than when the Peach was in...apples to ketchup. Now if I had a room, A ROOM, this might not be the case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted January 26, 2017 Author Share Posted January 26, 2017 2 hours ago, Jainbaby said: Do you guys think we should build this function into the PowerGate MAX? No Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam2434 Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 4 hours ago, Jainbaby said: Do you guys think we should build this function into the PowerGate MAX? Could you perhaps start a thread to discuss features, specs, suggestions, etc.? I have a few questions and suggestions, and imagine others do to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jainbaby Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 2 hours ago, adam2434 said: Could you perhaps start a thread to discuss features, specs, suggestions, etc.? I have a few questions and suggestions, and imagine others do to. OK, will do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.