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HELP : Best pre and power amps for B&W804 and HTM2

To All Audio Experts,

CURRENT SPECS: I own B&W 804 front speakers and a HTM2 center speaker. I had them powered by Denon AVC-A11SR which is now completely broken beyond repair. I was not all too satisfied with the power provided by the integrated amp to my 804 speakers. I also have a run-of-the-mill progressive DVD player which also doubled for a CD player.

CURRENT USE: I mostly use my system for movies/music in the following allocation: 50%/50%.

NEED: I have between US$5,000 to US$7500 to spend on either (i) an integrated amp that is powerful enough to truly enjoy my 804 speakers or (ii) pre/power amp combination. The total cost should also take into consideration of the relevant cables needed (I think I should upgrade the cables as well).

I might spend another US$1000 on a very good DVD/CD combo player to upgrade such component from the existing equipment.

What is the best match for my current speakers (I want to be able to continue to use my HTM2 speakers in a 3 channel format)?

I don't think I will likely upgrade my speakers in the future (unless they break) nor will I spend more money to upgrade the amplifier once they are purchased (unless again they break).

Although, down the road in a few years, I may consider purchasing rear speakers/sub woofer but am not firm on this.

Lastly, I was recommended to go with Rotel RSP 1570 and RMB 1575 for pre/power amp combo but I understand this is a class D amp (which may be inferior, etc).

QUESTION: What is the best route to complement my current speakers under the proposed budget? I am NOT an audiophile but I also want to have the best components that I can be proud of and enjoy for many years to come without ever considering an upgrade.

THANK YOU MUCH IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL/INSIGHTFUL COMMENTS.
slim1
slim1 OP
6 posts
 
Thank you all.

I am seriously considering McIntosh MX-134 and MC205 given I can pick them up used on Audigon for a deep discount to their original retail price. The concern I have is if I purchase a HDTV that has HDMI connection but since MX-134 doesn't have a HDMI input, then should I assume that I cannot enjoy HDTV in HD?

I can live without THX Ultra, etc but would prefer to watch movies, etc in HD format on my HDTV.

How important is HDMI audio?

Lastly, I live in Asia and the voltage/hertz are different from the U.S. How easy is it to convert the voltage/hertz to 230w/60hertz (and what is the cost and where do I take the equipment to make such conversion)?

Thank you again.
lewinskih01
793 posts
 
Slim,

I got my 275 in the US and then moved to Latin America, and switching voltages was almost a non issue: the tech rep at the shop where I bought it had some internal wiring moved to one place to the next in the existing transformer and that was it. Frequency change was a non issue.

yet I'm not familiar with the 205. FWIW, I did the same with my Rotel amp. It's no big deal, as long as someone knowledgeable is willing to help.

Horacio
zephyr24069's avatar
zephyr24069
1,183 posts
 
You can still enjoy HDMI video by running an HDMI cable directly from your video player to your HDTV and using another input on the HDTV. The minor inconvenience is that you have to switch both your processor as well as your HDTV to the respective inputs to watch HDMI video and hear the soundtrack decoded through the processor. For surround sound processing, you would utilize TOS Link or S/PDIF (Coax digital) from your player to the processor. Make sure you get a player that will allow for multiple simultaneous outputs....
slim1 OP
6 posts
 
Than you.

What is the recommended surround processor in $2K to $2.5K range (used)?
zephyr24069's avatar
zephyr24069
1,183 posts
 
Having heard the Classe SSP-300 and SSP-600 with with Classe amps and B&W speakers (including he 804's and HTM2), I'd suggest looking at the SSP-300. One caveat is that the SSP-300 does not give you balanced inputs or outputs.

Another fantastic family of processors I forgot to mention which I've heard is the Anthem Statement D1 and later D2 and D2v versions as well as the Anthem AVM40 and AVM50. The latter versions of the D2 and AVM50 have HDMI capabilities as well as ability to decode the latest HD formats. There are numerous new versions for the sale on the market as well as numerous used versions on Audiogon and other markets. Make sure you ascertain which version of the unit you are looking at, what inputs it supports and what version of the Anthem ARC firmware software the unit is running.
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