Video Asylum

Posted by MannyE (A) on September 28, 2015 at 09:22:01

In Reply to: RE: Seeking advice about dramatic rethink of my system posted by Doktor Brahms on August 26, 2015 at 08:47:10

If it were me, I would seek out a NOS B&K Reference 70 preamp unless you need all the new bells and whistles. No pre/pro I've ever heard does a better job on two channel music than the B&K Reference 30/50/70 did. I own a 30 and a 50 and if I come across a 70 I'll probably buy one of those too. 4K video be damned. I'll get a switcher. And I've never even used 7.1. 5.1 is more than enough.

Of the three you mentioned I like the Marantz best.

Music is the key because IMO most A/V pre/pros do an excellent job of reproducing movie soundtracks but very few do justice to two channel music. Yes, one brand may do a marginally better job of one or another of the many facets of HT audio than the other, but generally they are all going to do a very good job. Until you get to music.

So when you are auditioning, I would advise you to spend more time on music listening.