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Thread: Separates on a budget |
    
New member Username: John_keller
Post Number: 1
Registered: Jun-04
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| Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2004 - 11:05 am: |
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Dear audiophiles:
I am a total “newcomer” in the Home Theatre domain considering buying my first set of separates (pre/pro and power amp) for 7.1 setup and do need a little help. My budget for pre/pro and power amp is only about $3000, unfortunately enough…
Many contributors highly recommended Outlaw 950 pre/pro model over many others. Quite frankly, I have my doubts in this regard: as far as I understand, this device is not able to decode new formats like HDCD, Dolby Headphone, DTS 96/24, Dolby Pro Logic IIx, and it is not possible to upgrade the software this model comes with (?!).
I was very impressed with the sound quality of Anthem AVM-20 / PVA-7 combo with KEF Q7 speakers, but the price is too high for me… A friend of mine (not a seasoned specialist himself, I am afraid) recommended to consider the following units from Adcom GTP-860II preamp/7607 poweramp, Sherwood Newcastle P965 preamp/A965 poweramp or NAD T163 preamp/ T973 poweramp. I think Rotel offers something as well. Outlaw has some power amplifiers too: 770, 7100. Far too many choices… Consequently I am totally and completely lost and do need your help badly indeed!
Respectfully,
John
P.S. Is it advisable to mix components from different manufacturers: Sherwood Newcastle P965 preamp and Outlaw 770 poweramp, for example?
P.-p.S. What are the most important specs to look for? Are the following parameters important?
THD <0.1% at rated power
IMD <0.1% at rated power
Frequency response: 5 Hz-100 kHz
Output impedance: <0.4 ohm
Damping factor: >100
Input impedance: >10 k ohms
Slew rate: 50 Volts/microsecond
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New member Username: 514329
Philippines
Post Number: 2
Registered: Jun-04
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| Posted on Saturday, June 12, 2004 - 12:06 pm: |
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I was looking before too at the Anthem (w/ JM lab 816 sp) but the Anthem would cost me $6000.00+ incl. its amp. alone minus speakers. another is the Integra (can't remember the model, w/ a 9 something) plus Anthem amp but still around $5000.00 so I ended up w/ B&K ref50 ver 1.04 (msrp $3000) & B&K 200watts 7 ch 7270 (msrp $2700.00) both for $3200.00+tax all brand new at an authorize dealer. |
Silver Member Username: Kegger
MICHIGAN
Post Number: 432
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Monday, June 14, 2004 - 01:54 pm: |
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the Sherwood Newcastle P965 is the outlaw in sheeps
clothing.
their are a few that use that same chassis including
one from fosgate.
me personally i have been in the market for awhile
now on prepros.
and i am pretty much in your same budget about $1500 prepro.
and i'm looking at the rotel RSP-1068 and i think
this is the one for me.
and yes you can use different company amps with no
problem.
i am using rotel and parasound they work just fine.
so get the prepro you want that has the features
for you at your price range.
then any of the qualiy amp companys will work.
parasound/b&k/adcom/rotel or even the outlaws.
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| Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 02:25 pm: |
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The Sherwood Newcastle P965 is *not* the same as the Outlaw--you're thinking of the Sherbourn PT-7000. The Sherwood Newcastle, among other things, supports Dolby Pro Logic IIx, which the Outlaw does not. |
Silver Member Username: Kegger
MICHIGAN
Post Number: 506
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 - 02:44 pm: |
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i stand corrected sorry! i did get them mixed up!
my bad! |
New member Username: Edean
Post Number: 2
Registered: Sep-04
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| Posted on Sunday, September 05, 2004 - 12:12 am: |
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hey 514329
where did you get the b&k from? |
Gold Member Username: Kegger
MICHIGAN
Post Number: 1410
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Tuesday, September 07, 2004 - 03:33 pm: |
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the b&k is an excelent choice but also as mentioned,
the rotel 1068 prepro with their amps is some
good quality stuff at good prices also. |
Bronze Member Username: 514329
Post Number: 19
Registered: Jun-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, September 08, 2004 - 01:42 pm: |
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evan, got at listen up here in denver but they have a website too (listenup.com). |
New member Username: Edean
Post Number: 3
Registered: Sep-04
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| Posted on Wednesday, September 08, 2004 - 07:29 pm: |
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how about the nad T163 with the T973? |
Bronze Member Username: 514329
Post Number: 20
Registered: Jun-04
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| Posted on Thursday, September 09, 2004 - 12:17 pm: |
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I've auditioned these too before back in FL. w/ Thiel speakers (they're only sold at specialty audio store) and there good too but more money and I was going to get the Yam Z9 but even if my salesrep gives me 20% (w/c there not gonna do anyway) B&K is still cheaper by a couple of hundreds |
Gold Member Username: Kegger
MICHIGAN
Post Number: 1471
Registered: Dec-03
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| Posted on Friday, September 10, 2004 - 11:11 am: |
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nad is good stuff but i prefer the rotel or b&k |
J. Vigne Unregistered guest |
| Posted on Saturday, September 11, 2004 - 01:39 am: |
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Guys, check out the last few days of posts on "Teaching an old dog new tricks" under the "DVD-A..." portion of this forum. If you're on a budget, the discussion is about an amp that might suit your needs. |
Bronze Member Username: Frank_abela
Berkshire
UK
Post Number: 93
Registered: Sep-04
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| Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 09:25 am: |
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I would also recommend the Rotel 1068 pre/processor. It's very good indeed. You have a wide choice of power amps to choose from, including Rotel again of course. The RMB1075 is a good amp. I find it a bit slow and lacking in resolution, but it is very good value for money since you get an awful lot for the price.
This combination comes in at a bit below your budget, which brings me to the extra bit you need to bear in mind. Don't forget to factor in a significant sum for interconnects! Decent interconnects will put you back Ł90 ($140) a pair - you need two pairs and a single extra run, plus a long one for the subwoofer.
Considering this lovely amp you're looking to buy, I hope you have a decent source to feed a good signal into it. If it doesn't come out of the source, it won't get through the system to your ears. And no, all DVD transports do not sound the same - even if they're not doing any processing.
Regards,
Frank. |
