sz
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Post by sz on Oct 5, 2011 16:45:41 GMT -5
I'm in the market to buy a new pre-amp/processor and I have narrowed my search to either one of these. I currently have UMC-1 and I am using Emotiva cables and the occasional audio dropout is not going away no matter what I tried. So I've decided to go with a new pre-pro. Any suggestions are welcome and any news on XMC-1 regarding the features it'll have? Thank you very much in advance.
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NorthStar
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Post by NorthStar on Oct 5, 2011 16:51:25 GMT -5
Go for Audyssey MultEQ XT32 (Onkyo).  |
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Post by edoggrc51 on Oct 5, 2011 19:14:56 GMT -5
+1
XT32 did wonders for my HT.
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Post by fsubales on Oct 5, 2011 21:09:14 GMT -5
Onkyo
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LCSeminole
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Post by LCSeminole on Oct 5, 2011 21:16:07 GMT -5
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sz
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Post by sz on Oct 6, 2011 9:36:58 GMT -5
Do you know what the differences between 08 and 09 are? |
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NorthStar
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Post by NorthStar on Oct 6, 2011 16:43:00 GMT -5
The 5509 adds DTS Neo:X (similar to Audyssey DSX with the Width & Height channels). And a few other secondary features... * You can find all those small differences in Onkyo's own website from the UK, as the 5509 ain't enumerated just yet in their US website. ** My take: When the 5509 will be available in the region of the world where you live, the 5508 will be on clearance and consequently cheaper. Grab that 5508. ...I might just do that meself.  |
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sz
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Post by sz on Oct 6, 2011 17:14:22 GMT -5
Thanks LOTRsEE!
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Post by virtualpj on Oct 6, 2011 17:31:22 GMT -5
Another vote for the 5508. The XT32 made a huge difference in my HT, and I've been VERY happy with this processor.
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Post by db029936 on Oct 10, 2011 17:59:09 GMT -5
First, heh,heh, I wouldn't admit to owning a bose speaker. Heh,heh... But my vote is for the Marantz because I own one, and would buy another if my house burnt down. Second, I think [in my opinion] that marantz puts a little more effort into the analog parts. If you have multiple subs, then xt32 is great. I have a single sub and xt works just fine. Really good in fact. Plus, the Marantz is cheaper, prettier, and has a cooler name. Just ask anyone who doesn't know anything about electronics, like my wife, she'll say " oh yeah, Marantz, that's good stuff' Onyko? what's that? a sound a pig makes?] Don't mean to offend but just try it. All kidding aside, I'd be happy with either and am happy with my Marantz. Previosly I owned emotiva MMC-1 and the Marantz easily is the superior product.
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hemster
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Post by hemster on Oct 10, 2011 19:26:50 GMT -5
If you covet music than no contest - it has to be the Marantz. For HT you can pick either but if I were in your shoes, I'd opt for the Marantz (unless you really need a toaster or a room heater!).
Full disclosure: I own a Marantz receiver and am sold on the SQ (for a receiver).
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LCSeminole
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Post by LCSeminole on Oct 10, 2011 20:21:51 GMT -5
Just curious what the OP's budget is for a new pre/pro? I've not spent any time demoing the Marantz, but there is definitely better sounding processors than the Integra/Onkyo cousins, especially musically.
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NorthStar
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Post by NorthStar on Oct 10, 2011 20:33:24 GMT -5
Man, this is all so relative!
* I own/ed several Marantz and Onkyo products (receivers, pre/pros, CD players, Tuners, ...) and it is a personal taste!
I can tell you stories that would make you walk away from either brand, but I simply won't!
And besides, you can't say that 20, or 10, or even 5 years ago, one brand you prefer more, and say now that it stays the same with today's products.
There are simply too many variables, and features play a big part; features that work, features that make a difference, features that improved the Sound Quality!
And internal parts; DSP chips, DACs, implementation, Video processing, etc., etc., etc.
Plus the power supply, and the reliability, and the customer support, and the overall satisfaction; musically and emotionally...
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LCSeminole
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Post by LCSeminole on Oct 10, 2011 20:54:03 GMT -5
Bob,
You are correct that over time brands subjectively may change in sound quality for the reasons you've listed. My comparisons were and are still being done in the present with current gear, ie: this year, so 5, 10 or 20 years ago have nothing to do with my comparisons this year. I still hold true to what I've heard from the Integra DHC-80.2 compared to the Rotel RSP-1570, Cary Cinema 12, Anthem AVM50v and NAD T175HD, and that is that musically it sounds stale to me. Again this is my opinion from what I've actually heard, plain and simple. I've had Onkyo gear in the past, an A-8067 integrated amp, and still believe this to be one of the best sounding two channel amps, so Onkyo is capable of upgrading musically, the question is will they ever move away from the bells & whistles approach, find a place in the middle and upgrade their sound? This is why I moved away from their gear.
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NorthStar
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Post by NorthStar on Oct 10, 2011 22:14:19 GMT -5
I'm not an Onkyo guy! And I'm not a Denon guy either! I'm not a Marantz guy! I'm not a Yamaha guy! And I'm not a Pioneer guy... I am an Emotiva man (to some extended degree), with some 'penchant' towards Rotel, Onkyo, Denon, Yamaha, Pioneer, Marantz, Anthem, Classe, Paradigm, Revel, Oppo, and many more... And I change every year. I am not a machine, I'm just a human being with a heart and a mind too. I constantly analyse the audio/video trends; and I read a lot, I participate in forums, I talk with several audio/video dealers, with friends who have similar interests, and I also experiment with various gear, I buy stuff, I exchange stuff, I deal stuff, I bargain, I live and breathe this Audio/Video world since I was a teenager, and I learned over the years to appreciate the truth in life, and I see the deceptions, the lies, the injustice, the lack of knowledge, ...I see various stages, different ambitions, different directions, musical tastes... I give my own personal 'voyage', view into this world that captivates the soul, the mind, and the heart. My ideas are my own, and they aren't the ultimate. And I certainly don't take myself seriously! But I read what others have to say, and I put myself in their shoes, and most of the time (almost always), I can relate with other people, and I respect EVERYONE. But I also see clear, and some people need more help than others in life, in this world, in musical terms, and a whole lot more... What I share is my own experience and vision, no more no less, and it never ain't the end of the world! |
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Post by db029936 on Oct 11, 2011 17:43:24 GMT -5
Well said.
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Post by moovtune on Oct 11, 2011 17:53:28 GMT -5
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LCSeminole
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Post by LCSeminole on Oct 11, 2011 19:48:01 GMT -5
I'm not an Onkyo guy! And I'm not a Denon guy either! I'm not a Marantz guy! I'm not a Yamaha guy! And I'm not a Pioneer guy... I am an Emotiva man (to some extended degree), with some 'penchant' towards Rotel, Onkyo, Denon, Yamaha, Pioneer, Marantz, Anthem, Classe, Paradigm, Revel, Oppo, and many more... And I change every year. I am not a machine, I'm just a human being with a heart and a mind too. I constantly analyse the audio/video trends; and I read a lot, I participate in forums, I talk with several audio/video dealers, with friends who have similar interests, and I also experiment with various gear, I buy stuff, I exchange stuff, I deal stuff, I bargain, I live and breathe this Audio/Video world since I was a teenager, and I learned over the years to appreciate the truth in life, and I see the deceptions, the lies, the injustice, the lack of knowledge, ...I see various stages, different ambitions, different directions, musical tastes... I give my own personal 'voyage', view into this world that captivates the soul, the mind, and the heart. My ideas are my own, and they aren't the ultimate. And I certainly don't take myself seriously! But I read what others have to say, and I put myself in their shoes, and most of the time (almost always), I can relate with other people, and I respect EVERYONE. But I also see clear, and some people need more help than others in life, in this world, in musical terms, and a whole lot more... What I share is my own experience and vision, no more no less, and it never ain't the end of the world! I'm not quite sure what this has to do with my experiences in demoing processors? Is not what I have stated to be sharing my own experiences and vision? I certainly hope that you aren't taking anything I've stated from my own experiences, as personal?  |
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NorthStar
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Post by NorthStar on Oct 11, 2011 19:56:58 GMT -5
Laurence, I didn't quote you because it was not directly addressed to you. It was in general, and for anyone reading it, that's all. |
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LCSeminole
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Post by LCSeminole on Oct 11, 2011 20:14:07 GMT -5
Ahhh, good, all is well in the Emotiva Lounge Universe that ends well. |
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