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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
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swampwalker
5,132 posts
 
+1 Zd542- Get a good tube pre-amp w HT pass through. I believe the DSP room correction/bass management device web site shows how to use it w subs in a variety of configurations. For the price of a high end pre/SSP like the Classe 800 you can get an excellent used pre-amp w HT pass through and multiple outputs so you can run your subs w music. VAC, BAT, Modwright, ARC, CJ. First Sound, etc, etc, etc. If you just need a line stage, you can go pretty high up the food chain to near SOTA preformance.
lambeau OP
26 posts
 
Once again Audiogon does not disappoint . Plenty of diverse answers and options to try .

I don't know if this will matter but my main amps have xlr and single ended connections and have a switch to toggle which one for use .

Martykl , I do like what xt 32 does and the simplicity of it. On the other hand I can be very persistant and like a good challenge. I don't think my weak link is my speakers.
I believe it is in my pre pro . The better equipment I put in front of my speakers , the more they continue to impress me .I am also researching acoustic panels and will install some time soon .
martykl
3,563 posts
 
Lambeau,

Sounds like you've got your head around the issues and are going to switch out the pre-pro. It's cool that you willing to commit to a more difficult road that offers a potentially higher upside. Please keep folks here posted on your progress - IMO this is a story worth following.
lambeau OP
26 posts
 
Martykl , On the contrary. I don't know witch direction I am going to go . I have talked with a Parasound dealer about 2 hours from me and he wasn't sure the P5 would be able to run my subs on both units with out a switch . Maybe someone else will chime in that would know . Still searching .

Seems like their is an opportunity for a product to be made that would do this .

Thanks again for all the positive responses .

Lambeau
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"02-23-15: Lambeau
Martykl , On the contrary. I don't know witch direction I am going to go . I have talked with a Parasound dealer about 2 hours from me and he wasn't sure the P5 would be able to run my subs on both units with out a switch . Maybe someone else will chime in that would know . Still searching."

Once you upgrade, you may find that you don't need or want the subs. But if you do, you can put an input selector in front of your amp that powers the subs, and switch back and forth between your HT preamp and your stereo preamp.
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