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My Classe SSP30 died after 5 yrs; my Marantz AV7701 is erratic after less than 2 yrs.
I want analog mutichannel output. What is available that might live for 10 years, or is that unreasonable?
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Parasound P7 has 2x 7.1 inputs/outputs and flexible bass management.
Very reliable, I think Kal (or another Stereophile reviewer) really likes it for multichannel or stereo.
Best,
Erik
The P7 is an excellent option. I am using one now as an alternative to the rare Audio Research MP1.
...and loved every second of it. The basic preamps never sounds less good than very good, it has two sets in multichannel inputs, and the RC allows you to change channel levels very quickly.
I've replaced some parts in mine, mostly coupling and PS-bypass caps, and it's a good bit more transparent than with its original mostly-'propylene couplers.
Here's the original. The six coupling-cap combos are 'circled'.
Here are the three new front-channel Teflon or 'styrene coupling caps (standing).
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Tin-eared audiofool, large-scale-Classical music lover, and damned-amateur fotografer.
William Bruce Cameron: "...not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
I tried the MET1 in my system. I preferred the Oppo direct into my amps, but then, I got rid of my ARC pre amp because I found that I preferred my phono pre amp and Oppo direct to amps, so keep that preference in mind. YMMV.
Many of todays high out, low z sources and sensitive high z power amps dont
need an amplified linestage in between.
ET
"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936
Either just run an Oppo directly into your amps, or wait for the next version of the Oppo. I heard that it will have more input options that will let it function more like a traditional pre-amp.
I have been considering the Oppo as a preamp replacement and player for the following:
1. CDs
2. SACDs
3. Blu Ray audio (Don't own any, but the thread about the Karajan Beethoven reissue got me thinking.
No interest in multi-channel or video. Does the Oppo have an aux input so that I could run a phono preamp in for my LPs and cover everything? Thanks.
I have the Oppo BDP105D and there is certainly no phono input on it. The only extra inputs are digital (HDMI, USB and S/PDIF).
Dave
I wasn't expecting a phono input was hoping for an aux. Thanks.
Sorry I was imprecise - I meant there was no RCA phono-type input, I can't imagine they would ever put an RIAA stage in an Oppo :-) The whole machine is built as a digital processor as regards inputs. By contrast the outputs available are quite varied including fully balanced stereo and single-ended stereo/multichannel RCAs. Lovely machine though: one of my best-ever buys.
Dave
Edits: 08/07/16
I own a BDP-105D and I really like it. It is truly the heart of my audio/video entertainment system. When do you expect the new one to be released? If the new one has an analog input I would connect my phono stage thereby allowing me to get rid of my control preamplifier while connecting the Oppo directly to my Parasound Halo A21 power amplifier.
Best regards,
John Elison
My Denon receiver is out for repairs, so I have been using an Oppo 103 player as a preamp directly into the Carver amp that I use for my front mains. It is a considerable downgrade in sound quality from the Denon x4000, which is itself far from the best you can buy. Maybe the Oppo 105 would do a better job as a preamp.
I'm going to use a Carver C-1 preamp between the Oppo and the amp until the AVR gets back from the shop.
When I first installed the Oppo BDP-105D in my system it sounded different than my April Music Eximus DP1 DAC. However, I'm used to its sound quality now and I like it a whole lot. The impression I have about my BDP-105D is that it might have been "voiced" to sound like a "tube" component because it seems to soften and smooth out the highs, especially with 16/44 Redbbook CDs. In my opinion it makes them sound more like analog.
I'm not familiar with the sound of the BDP-103, but one of the major differences between the 103 and 105 is that the 105 has a dedicated two channel stereo analog section with both balanced and unbalanced outputs. As a result, the 105 is supposed to sound better than the 103. However, you would really have to compare the two in order to determine the extent of the difference.
Best regards,
John Elison
The above was what I was told at a show over a year ago, that there will be more inputs and better adjustments (maybe room correction) that will have the Oppo be more like a controller. I don't know the details or if it's even true. I don't know when the new one will be released. I think there may be delays due to the need for constant upgrades e.g. 4k dvd decoding.
When I want to listed to vinyl I unplug the Oppo at the amp end and plug in the interconnects from the phono stage , which has a volume control and its own interconnect cables. Everything sounds more clear without the preamp. It was muffled sounding before in comparison. Not everyone likes the sound of their system without a preamp, but I do. I have enough power, the same dynamics, and the capacitance of the cables, etc, all works out fine for me. YMMV.
There are so many variables, including price, that you should narrow the search for us.
Sorry, I just assumed those models would be familiar.
Mostly classical; preference for MCH SACD; $2K unless more is necessary. Willing to pay for quality. I include longevity in the quality term because some manufacturers still build that in I hope. I had old McIntosh which was quality but not sure that is true anymore.
Yes but do you need all the bells and whistles of modern prepros for HT or is this only for music?If the latter, get a multichannel preamp.
Edits: 07/22/16
I want analog in/out MCH for SACD. I THINK that is better than digital but that may be a bias that is not true.
Secondarily, I sometimes watch movies, etc., so video processing is another want and HDMI in/out is fine.
The problem I have found is finding the analog MCH in anything anymore, and when you go the processor route you get a gaggle of digital stuff with even more rarely the analog MCH.
I thought the Marantz would work fine but it is failing (dropping all but one channel) and I (incorrectly?) attribute that to quality compromises to achieve all the digital stuff.
Classe was most of my system and sounded great but reliability was not great. If we have reached the point where one must pay $5-10K for components, I want build quality as well as sound quality. I honestly don't trust brand names anymore (Classe, Bryston, McIntosh).
"Is there an honest man out there."
Sorry for the rant -I'm old.
Your experience with the brands you have listed makes me loath to make any further recommendations with regard to a processor.
But do you really need a processor? I do not know what your sources are but a player like the Oppo 105D can do all the disc playback and channel management for movies as well as music and you can feed the HDMI output of a cable box into it. You can play it directly to your amps or insert an analog control for safety and convenience in the form of a Parasound P5/P7.
Kal, my limited experience may not be representative. I would appreciate any viewpoints on current higher end brands. I seem to be seeing Oppo mentioned often also. Any niche consumer (classical, MCH) has to expect to pay more.
I cannot offer any insight into reliability as my experience involves only single samples and rarely have I experienced any failures, including with brands you cite.
Not $2K even used, but I've been really pleased with my Bryson SP3. A Cary Cinema 12 is likely to be in the $2K region used, and they provide excellent sound, but plan to use a tape measure and SPL meter rather than the flawed automated setup. (The SP3 doesn't offer automated setup, but its speaker management is superb.)
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