 
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
|
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
Ok so currently I have a highend stereo, what some would call a audiophile highend stereosystem of the more basic nature. I have a Perreaux SM-6 preamp with various amps I play with, dvd player, cd player, record player, tuner, etc. I want to add surround sound, but I want it to be somewhat of an afterthought, to take a backseat to the highend stereo sound and sources. In otherwords its not too crucial that it be the best sounding or setup surround out there. I dont want to degrade the sound of my stereo system in any way, yet I have yet been able to find a surround preamp I can afford that offer equal or close to equal sound. One key reason i dont want to make a jump into highend hometheater and sell what I have is because of future proof. Stereo components dont go out of date, stereo hasnt changed much in a long time, so 30 year old components are still just as good as 2 month old ones. However my experience with theater is that a 5 or 10 year old processor is completely out of date, sometimes even sooner than that. Its like computers with this surround stuff. Anyway, I want it, I want surround added to what I have. So Im wondering what sort of components I can look into for adding surround to my setup. Im basicly just looking for the preamp processing end of things. I have a Pioneer Elite Dv-45A dvd player which has dolby digital, dts, and various other audio surround format decoding built in, so a processor with just a 5.1 input would probably be adequate and allow me to save some money on this venture. I have looked at the Outlaw audio surround preamp as an option, but would do this instead of the current preamp I have, and I think it would be a major step down in quality, so I dont like this idea. I was told by some that I could simply add a surround reciever to what I have and run its front preouts to the tape loop of my preamp, that way using the front speakers and amp I already have. Im not really sure how to hook it up, or how that would work, but it was recomended. The other option I have seen, but I dont think I like too much, is the option of using one of those older surround converter devices that Adcom, Carver, Yamaha, and another that started with a V made. These things had built in amplification, dolby digital decoding on some, but most were only prologic, however I believe that Yamaha and Adcom offered models with 5.1 unputs. It seems to me that having a 5.1 input would atleast prolong the out of dateness of the system. So if anyone can recomend a good way or various ways to hook it up as I want, and also some products too look into, I would appreciate it. If I cant figure anything out I may sell the amp and preamp and just buy some newer used highend preamp and amp, I just dont want to lose all my glorious analogue.
Follow Ups:
I messed about with added ambient sound for decades starting off with Audio Pulse units, then a Yamahah DSP1, then a Fosgate 2 (still have it), a citation, ....Now many were ok and gave a nice ambience BUT I never fed the mains through the processors, only the second preamp output through to the processor to the rears.
I resisted CDs for awhile but eventually decided to listen more seriously so became involved in outboard processors and also in HT. Using the processor for CD AND ambient sound was not thrilling as it meant the mains were being processed also. This gave what I term a "mush effect" -> soundstage muddled and some fidelity destroyed. As the fidelity of the 2 channels improved this "mush" effect of the added ambience became more obvious.
I invested (heavily) in a Meridian 861 processor but this sophisticated piece of hardware still did not satisfy in its version 2 incarnation. Most of the DSP surround modes mushed up the music. HOWEVER the version 3, which upsamples in all 6 channels is another story. At last it does add ambience without the mush effect.
I'm like you, very wary of investment in such a rapidly changing field, but Meridian processors are card based like computers with upgradable software. The downside is the high cost of entry.
So, I would suggest you tread carefully as many processors which are very good at HT fall in a heap with critical music. But they are improving.
John
Peace at AA
John certainly has a lot of experience with high end home theatre. But, if I understand you correctly, you are looking to add HT to your stereo so you can enjoy a movie every once in a while. Correct??It can be done, and it would involve have a HT reciever to power the extra channels and to provide the processing. Since your DVD player has the processing "on board" you could try the Audio Refinement HT pre. It has 6 channel inputs and a master volume control, but you would have to find amps for the extra speakers. In each case you would use your current speakers for the front channel. It does add alot of wire, but it does keep the quality of your current setup.
I guess my response was too concerned about what some processors do to 2CH. If you preserve your 2CH direct it does not matter.John
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
