Video Asylum

Posted by Bruce Righter (i) on January 12, 2001 at 23:29:27:

What is the cheapest acceptable pre-amp one can use for decent home theater????

My interest is mainly 2 channel music, and I have a good system in a dedicated listening room-however, I have some interest in an acceptable home theater set-up (in a different room)without spending too much $$$$.
I bought some JBL in-wall speakers (front and rear) to save space and am using amps left over from the stereo as well as a stereo pre-amp to control volume.

Is there an AV processor/pre-amp I could buy that I'd find OK?????
Used is fine. Doesn't need to be the latest technology as long as it sounds convincing. I've bid on a Fosgate processor on eBay ($25) and certainly don't want to spend more than $200. Remote control is a must.

Or should I just buy a cheap A/V receiver??? I have to admit my amps (2 Luxman M-120a's) are massive in size and weight and take up a lot of cabinet space, but each has a gain control that allows me to adjust front/rear balance. I plan to buy a Sony 32" XBR in the near future.

Any thoughts are appreciated.
Bruce