Pre-amp or Reciever

[PRC]

Can someone give me some info on pre-amps.

I have a Yamaha RX777 natural sound reiever (100wpc), Yamaha 585 mulit CD player, and RTi8s. I bought the Yamahs impulsively and now realise the sound is not quite what I am looking for. The sound seems sort of muttled (I do not know the terminology yet). I have also heard Yamaha and Polk don't go well together.

I just bought a Rotel 1070 amp hoping to make the sound more alive and clear. Its comming next week from Audiogon. I can't wait.

I alos listened to a Denon reciever side by side with a similar Yamaha. The Denon sounds much better than the Yamaha and seems to be what I am looking for.

I don't want to make another unreaserched choice. I do not understand pre-amps and how they effect sound, or the advantages of a pre-amp. The Denon may be just what i am looking for, but I thought I sould understand waht a pre-amp does first. I am looking for some pro's and cons of buying a basic 3-4 hundred Denon or a used pre-amp. I was thinking a Rotel 1070.

Thanks
Patrick

[comet91]

you should choose what your ear like the best

[Dennis Gardner]

You are right, that you shouldn't make another unresearched purchase. Isn't the Rotel amp just that?

You can only tell how items will perform when they are in your home hooked to the rest of your components. Your room may have alot to do with the muddy sound of your current setup if you have lots of carpet, curtains, furniture, etc. absorbing some of the highs from your system.

Trial and error, swapping of components is part of the fun for alot of us, but you must purchase wisely to limit the losses you would experience with new units.

Preamp/amp systems only show their ability with speakers and sources (cd players) that reach for high levels of detail. The RTi8s and Yamaha cd player do not really require a high level of amplification to sound good in normal rooms.

Does the Yamaha have preamp outputs? I'm not up on this model.

[organ]

You're getting into seperates and pre amps does make a very dramatic improvement over receivers. It's whole new level of performance.

If I understand your question correctly, you want to know if it's better to use a pre-amp over a receiver as pre amp, right? Also, you already have a Rotel amplifier coming in. So using a dedicated pre amp is the best way to go. Since this is posted on the 2ch forum, I'm assuming this is going to be a 2ch only rig?

Within your price range is the Dodd pre amp. Check out the thread on this forum to read more about it. Very easy to use tubed pre amp. A lot of members have purchased it and love it.

Maurice

[PRC]

Maurice, Thanks. I am a 2-chanel listener. I will look at the Dodd. I am new to the sterio world. I've always loved music but am just getting into better quality sterio stuff. Any thoughts on the Adcom - 450 pre amp. I see these alot for $200.00.

The Pre-amp seems to make more sence for me. I also use a sub. Should I look for a pre with sub outputs or is running the speakers through the sub fine.

thanks
Patrick

[heiney9]

Originally posted by PRC
Maurice, Thanks. I am a 2-chanel listener. I will look at the Dodd. I am new to the sterio world. I've always loved music but am just getting into better quality sterio stuff. Any thoughts on the Adcom - 450 pre amp. I see these alot for $200.00.

The Pre-amp seems to make more sence for me. I also use a sub. Should I look for a pre with sub outputs or is running the speakers through the sub fine.

thanks
Patrick

IMO, the Adcom pre will be better than using a receiver for a pre. As far as comparing it to other pre's in it's price range it's very nice, but nothing outstanding, certainly a good choice. It's going to be very hard to find a 2 channel pre with a sub output. Those are usually found on HT pre/processors. If your sub has a good cross over network, a sub out on the pre shouldn't be a concern for 2 channel listening.

Good luck

H9

[organ]

I have no experience with the Adcom 450 so I can't comment on the sound. But I'm sure it will be better than using a receiver.

It's your call, but if I were you I'd save a bit more and go for the Dodd. A tube change can be so dramatic, it's like upgrading or trying out a different pre. Tube rolling is waaaaay cheaper than trying out different pre amps. The Dodd uses two 6DJ8/6922 tubes. Current production on these tube types range from $12-$15 each.

You have to order the pre amp from Dodd. You have to tell him to include a subwoofer output.

I never run my mains through the sub. The crossovers are usually made of cheap parts and can degrade sound quality.

Maurice