| AudioREVIEW's Forum Archives - Amplifier-Preamplifier |
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|   EAD, THETA, KRELL PREAMP | jamesw20m3
Nov 2, 2003 9:15 PM | | I have the opportunity to purchase one of three pieces for all nearly the same price.
1. Krell HTS 7.1
2. Theta Casanova with upgraded dacs and video card
3. EAD theatermaster 8000 pro with video switching.
I know they are all great units, but I cannot decide which to buy. Which would you buy and why? My tastes are 70/30 music/HT. I'll be using an NAD dvd/cd with the unit and feeding into a McIntosh 7102 6 channel amp.
Thanks
James |
| James, of these three choices I would choose..... | HTguy
Nov 4, 2003 4:32 PM | | ....the EAD, Krell, Theta, in that order.
That being said, I've given up on high end SSP's. My listening tastes are 80/20 music/HT, and I've been much happier just using a Denon receiver for HT. It only drives my surround speakers. I use the FR & FL preamp outs on the receiver to patch into the SSP loop in my stereo preamp. In my opinion, the sound of music has never been better than with my Classe CP-60 stereo preamp. It is better than the Proceed, Classe, and Krell pre/pro's I've owned and Aragon, Bryston, Anthem, Theta and EAD that I've auditioned. I've never heard a pre/pro sound as musical as some of the best stereo preamps. Many out there have SSP loops (Sonic Frontiers, BAT, Audio Research, Cary, just to name a few), which allow you to combine stereo and HT in the same system, without sacrificing music. I've found, again in my experiences, that I tend to be visually distracted when watching HT, therefore a good receiver will sound just as good as some of that high end gear. The other plus is it's cheaper to make a high quality 2 channel system, then 5,6 or 7 channels. By this I mean, I have a high quality stereo amp and preamp and a $500 receiver for HT. A stereo amp of similar quality, is less expensive than a multi-channel amp. Also, when the digital upgrades (and it will (DD, DTS, DTS-ES, Dolby Pro Logic II, I can't keep track)), all you have to do is buy another $500 receiver, as opposed to spending thousands upgrading your high end pre/pro. I know, I've been there, done that.
Bottom line is, I'm happier now the way my system is now. I only wished I'd listened to those who warned me, and chosen this path earlier. I would have been happier longer, and saved $$$.
Good luck with what ever you decide.
Regards,
John |
| James, of these three choices I would choose..... | Mr Peabody
Nov 8, 2003 6:18 AM | | I use a simular set up with my Krell 2 channel. Krell offers a feature called "theater through" that does just what you describe. I was fortunate enough to find a good buy on a used Primare AV preamp for HT and an Arcam FMJ 3 channel for my center and rear, so my HT envestment is more than $500. but I can hear where my money was spent and I'm into going more than 5 channel.
If James is interested there are good buys on the Krell 300iL 200 wpc integrated. You can find these for around $2k at www.spearitsound.com. This is a great integrated with true class A preamp section and balanced circuitry. More affordable than separates and you would have to spend big money to get better sound quality. |
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