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Stepping up to the next level ? HT and Music

A little about the system.
I have a Onkyo 5509 Pre pro , 2 Emotiva Xpr 2 amps bi amped powering Tyler Acoustics D1x speakers . 1 Tyler center channel speaker and 4 tower speakers for surrounds and back powered by a Rotel 5 channel amp . 2 Chase 18.2 subs powered by a Suntron M 600 amp. the room is 17 x17 and I can seal it off with a door .

No problems with the system for movies and no glaring problems for music . I would just like it to sound more musical but still run my subs at the same time .

I know music lovers say no to subs but I really like the layer they add to music . So what are my options ?
1. Add a pre amp for music ? But what about the subs ?
2. Better Pre pro like a Classe ssp 800 but loose room correction .

I have had a tube amp in the mix and really liked it . The sound wrapped around my speakers but was not loud enough when I wanted to turn it up . Also cant justify running tubes always when watching movies and tv and the associated heat that comes from them .

Im looking for suggestions that I may have overlooked or advice from those who have had similar problems .
Like I said , it sounds good but would like to take it to the next level musically . I mainly listen to cd,s but am looking at a music server and or computer audio . No vinyl at this time but may add at some time later .

Thanks , Lambeau
lambeau
rlwainwright
1,901 posts
 
You already have very nice speakers and amps. Why not consider getting the Emotiva XMC-1 preprocessor/preamp? This will give you a *very* nice surround sound setup and will also gove you the benefit of Dirac Room Correction - among the best in the world.

The XMC-1 is considered one of the better multichannel pramps and from what I'm reading it is also a *very* good 2-channel preamp. Emotiva will give you 30 days in-home trial (and a 5 year warranty should you keep it), why not give it a go and see what you think???

-RW-
lambeau OP
26 posts
 
Kr4 ,Does the sound improvement using a pre pro such as the Classe ssp 800 over ride the improvement using audyssey in the 5509 . Im quite pleased with the movie experience, I just don't get the goose bump feeling listening to music .
I like the added layer to music using my subs but do not listen to multi channel music . I don't know if I can incorporate my subs with the Parasound Pre's that you mentioned .Maybe with a good enough pre I wont miss the subs . My Speakers play down to 22 hrz but playing stereo with subs and switching back to direct with no subs I always prefer stereo with subs .
lambeau OP
26 posts
 
Rw , I have thought about the XMC 1 pre pro and thought it would be a vertical move . No experience with it , just my thought . Have they added Dirac yet or is it still on the back burner .I Have not read any reviews yet, but am not opposed to go in this direction . Just too new and want something to go on besides a 30 day trial . I love my XPR 2 amps and know I have all the power I need and then some . I want music to sound awesome and give me the wow feeling .
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,424 posts
 
1. You can get equal/better results with the Classe PEQ
but you have to work much harder for it. You would have
to buy a measurement/analysis system (REW, XTZ, etc.) and
a calibrated microphone, hook them up to a PC and learn
how to measure and calibrate. Then you can transfer the
EQ filters to the Classe.
2. I cannot in any way account for your goose bumps or
lack thereof. Different folks like different stuff. I
think both my systems sound "awesome" and
"wow" with music but who knows if we would
agree. You just need to be happy with yours.
3. Both the Parasounds will accommodate subs albeit in
slightly different ways.
4. I cannot recall a published review of the Emotiva
with Dirac yet but I do not scan all the mags. I do have
one in house which I will set up in a week or so,
depending on the weather. What I can say about
Diracn(running on my PC/streamer) is that it is as easy
as Audyssey and is superior in outcome.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
I think you are going in the right direction by getting a new preamp. A good preamp is absolutely critical if you want good sounding music. Its not optional, so you might as well get it now and be done with it. If you go for a Classe HT preamp, you most likely will get better sound, but at a much higher cost. If you just focus on a good 2 channel preamp, you won't be wasting money by spending on features that won't be relevant for music. I had a Classe HT preamp. I don't remember if it was the same model you mention, but it was a good one. It won't give you the sound quality of a good 2 channel preamp. You also mention tubes, but are not sure if they are right for your system. You can go solid state and have no problems at all. That wasn't always the case, but new SS gear has come a long way and is now competitive.
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