Rudy81 Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 It seems my Integra DHC 9.9 is on its last legs. I suspect the video board is going out. That unit worked very well for many years and I hate to part with it. Time to look into something new and I have not kept up with the latest HT offerings in term of a pre/pro. I am wondering if you guys have any recommendations for a suitable replacement. Requirements are: 1) Must have extremely good 2-ch performance. I will be using all XLR balanced connections, so prefer a 'true' balanced setup. At least for the mains. 2) 7.1 channel minimum. I realize everyone has gone crazy with the number of channels, but i will only need 7.1 3) Needs to have a good room EQ system such as Audyssey, Dirac, ARC, etc. I have always used Audyssey Pro, but know that there are better options out there. 4) User level firmware upgrade-ability that is actually supported by the manufacturer. 5) Price range not to go above $5k. I have just gotten into looking am have looked at: Emotiva offeings, RC-1 and XMC-2. Very appealing, but have been reading of major problems with system interface and availability of Dirac is questionable. Anthem AV 60. Seems to be well thought of, but not sure about 2-ch performance. Integra DHC-60.7, very similar to what I have. Any help is appreciated, particularly if you have hands on experience with a unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 I have used Denon, Marantz and Emo in the last 10 years and several others prior to that. I currently use, and would recommend, a McIntosh MX 151 with it's Room Perfect correction. This would be for 2 / 2.2 channel and 7.2 channel WITHOUT 4K. I see that used 151s are on the market at or below your budget. I found mine NIB with 5 year Magnolia transferable warranty for below your max. If you want Mc with 4k then you have to double the budget. As for as 2 channel your room is certainly more refined than my all use cavern that I am required to use but in this crappy CRAPPY room I heard zero difference in stereo with this MX compared to the Juicy Music Peach and VRD NBS pre amps on Belles, KHorns and CWall IIIs. Edit: another point of 2 channel reference I forgot about is that alongside the MX151 I had a McIntosh C2500 tube pre, sold it and just use the MX151. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbphoto Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 It depends on how into 2-channel you are versus home-theater, and do you want room EQ to apply to your 2-channel also (i.e. do you want your 2-channel digitized)? I'm not huge into HT - I'm mostly 2-channel - but I need to share the same speakers. HT technology changes weekly whereas 2-channel doesn't. In the end, I decided to go with the cheapest AVR from a major manufacturer with pre-outs that met my needs (actually a free 8-year old Yamaha AVR from my brother) and a high quality 2-channel pre-amp (McIntosh C-48) with home-theater bypass. Both are feeding the same amp and speakers. Just another option for you to consider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudy81 Posted October 16, 2019 Author Share Posted October 16, 2019 Certainly lots of options. I split my listening/watching time at about 50/50. I love a great movie with superb sound and sound effects. I also with to maximize my 2-ch listening enjoyment. Like most, I use the same mains for both operations. HT technology has really changed since I last researched all this. I see very good reviews for the Athem AVM-60 and it's simplicity is a plus, but does not have truly balanced outputs like the Emotivas that have just been released. My problem with the Emotiva offerings is that they seem to be buggy at this stage of development based on the comments in the forums and reviews. I don't really want to spend a bunch of money and then spend time frustrated with the hardware/software interaction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TasDom Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 Been very happy with my Onkyo Pre/Pro which is very similar to your Integra. If and when mine craps out, I think i will be moving to Marantz. I'd be all over this one if I could justify the need vs. the want... This is still available on the EMO forum for about half price of new. http://emotivalounge.proboards.com/post/1003998/thread https://www.us.marantz.com/us/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=AVSeparates&SubCatId=0&ProductId=AV8805 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudy81 Posted October 16, 2019 Author Share Posted October 16, 2019 The Marantz is on the list. Seems like a nice receiver. I would like, for a change, to use some of the newer room correction technology like Dirac or ARC from Anthem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaudeJ1 Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 8 hours ago, Rudy81 said: Certainly lots of options. I split my listening/watching time at about 50/50. I love a great movie with superb sound and sound effects. I also with to maximize my 2-ch listening enjoyment. Like most, I use the same mains for both operations. HT technology has really changed since I last researched all this. I see very good reviews for the Athem AVM-60 and it's simplicity is a plus, but does not have truly balanced outputs like the Emotivas that have just been released. My problem with the Emotiva offerings is that they seem to be buggy at this stage of development based on the comments in the forums and reviews. I don't really want to spend a bunch of money and then spend time frustrated with the hardware/software interaction. Great minds think alike. I do the same thing with my Yamaha CX-A5200. Highly recommended for sound quality, versatility, ESS Sabre DAC's, and built like a TANK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NBPK402 Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 I am going to see how the new Monolith preamp is. If it is as good as I think it will be, I am going to sell my Yamaha cxa5100, and get one. The new Monolith AVP is built by ATI.Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tubetwister Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 NAD, where they put the music first. NAD M17 V2. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 22 minutes ago, tubetwister said: NAD, where they put the music first. Anthem is the same way. They were into audio WAY before video. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudy81 Posted October 16, 2019 Author Share Posted October 16, 2019 6 hours ago, Ron E said: I am going to see how the new Monolith preamp is. If it is as good as I think it will be, I am going to sell my Yamaha cxa5100, and get one. The new Monolith AVP is built by ATI. Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk Please report back on your findings. That preamp is on the list. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudy81 Posted October 16, 2019 Author Share Posted October 16, 2019 4 hours ago, tubetwister said: NAD, where they put the music first. NAD M17 V2. Nice unit, but a bit on the expensive side.....I guess you get what you pay for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NBPK402 Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 I will report back on the monolith.Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babadono Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 18 hours ago, Rudy81 said: I see very good reviews for the Athem AVM-60 and it's simplicity is a plus, but does not have truly balanced outputs like the Emotivas that have just been released Truly balanced? What dat mean? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldred Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 I had an Anthem.....I liked it.....My home theater situation changed back to mostly 2 channel listening Liked it better than my 80.3..... To be honest...... I'm not sure if I'd shell out that much money for another Pre Pro George Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NBPK402 Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 Truly balanced? What dat mean?I believe he is referring to a true differential balanced circuit where it is balanced from input to output. This means more parts are required throughout the preamp as you must have 2 of everything in the circuit, which of course increases cost so some Manufacturers do not do it this way. As to whether or not it makes a sonic difference...no idea. Hopefully I explained this all correctly. Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudy81 Posted October 17, 2019 Author Share Posted October 17, 2019 21 hours ago, Ron E said: I believe he is referring to a true differential balanced circuit where it is balanced from input to output. This means more parts are required throughout the preamp as you must have 2 of everything in the circuit, which of course increases cost so some Manufacturers do not do it this way. As to whether or not it makes a sonic difference...no idea. Hopefully I explained this all correctly. Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk Correct. Many of the pre/pro offerings use the same signal path for balanced and unbalanced connections. The balanced connectors are not independent from input to output. Some systems, like the Emotiva, NAD and others do have a true balanced stage. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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