Here we go again - pre/pro question

[TechFan]

Hi all,
I think my Integra's HDMI board is just about to give up the ghost...and from what I've been able to find out it won't be cheap to fix. I still have to do a little troubleshooting to make sure it is the culprit, but I am about 90% sure it is, and I figure it can't hurt to ask the question. So I am at yet another crossroads...trying to decide whether to stick with separates and buy another pre/pro or just grab a really good receiver and sell the Parasound amp. HDMI switching is extremely important to me and the more inputs, the better...I'd like a minimum of 5, if possible. At this point, I can get by with 5-channel sound...that's all I plan on running for the foreseeable future and my amp is a 5-channel unit. I would prefer not to spend a great deal on whatever I buy since I have made a few non-audio-related significant purchases lately. So in other words, I am just like everyone else in the world and I want a huge amount of performance and functionality for not too much money! :biglaugh: Anyway, I guess I really have three options:

1 - buy a HDMI capable pre-pro to use with the Parasound.

2 - buy a nice receiver and sell the Parasound.

3 - buy a good receiver with pre-outs and use it as a pre/pro.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Specific recommendations or general thoughts are equally welcome. I really wish the Integra didn't seem intent on forcing my hand on this...but things do seem to be getting worse instead of better...such is life, I guess.

Thanks,
Randy

[Skiman]

A few questions first. What speakers do you have? And how efficient are they? Sub(s)? How big is your room, and is it open or closed? What I'm getting at is the power requirements. Which model Parasound do you have? I assume you like it. Also, do you like your movies and/or music really loud and clean?

[TechFan]

A few questions first. What speakers do you have? And how efficient are they? Sub(s)? How big is your room, and is it open or closed? What I'm getting at is the power requirements. Which model Parasound do you have? I assume you like it. Also, do you like your movies and/or music really loud and clean?

Thanks for the reply...I have 4 x-omnis for now, with an x-voce center and a MFW-15 sub. They aren't terribly efficient, but they do fine. My room isn't that large (maybe 20x15 with my sitting area about halfway down the 20 ft. dimension, with the rest behind me being open. My Parasound is a 10+ year old HCA-2205A...rated @ 220wpc x 5. I have no complaints at all about it. It was my first foray into separate amplification. And while I don't crank things frequently out of respect for my neighbors (I live in a townhouse), I do enjoy having the ability to do so, cleanly, when the situation permits.

For the record, I will hopefully transition to Hugh's Trinity series sometime in the future, at least for the front LRC.

Something tells me that isn't hugely helpful, but it does sort of sum things up....

Thanks!
Randy

[tooskinny]

I know the UMC-1 has had problems but it's on sale for a good price.

[TechFan]

I know the UMC-1 has had problems but it's on sale for a good price.

Wow...I had no idea it was going for less than $500 now. I was pretty tempted to try it out at regular price. I think I heard they are upgrading the HDMI to allow for passing through 3D video, but that really isn't a concern of mine. Not that interested in 3D at the theater and less so for home. But I digress...

Thanks for the heads up on the UMC...I am going to have to seriously consider it!

Randy

[tooskinny]

Wow...I had no idea it was going for less than $500 now. I was pretty tempted to try it out at regular price. I think I heard they are upgrading the HDMI to allow for passing through 3D video, but that really isn't a concern of mine. Not that interested in 3D at the theater and less so for home. But I digress...

Thanks for the heads up on the UMC...I am going to have to seriously consider it!

Randy

Yep I read the same about 3D. They are suppose to release another firmware to fix the remaining problems. Too bad I only have a UPA-2 or I would be all over a UMC.

[TechFan]

It isn't the implementation of 3D that I don't get excited over, it is just 3D, in general. It mostly gives me a headache...but that's just me. :)


Randy

[tooskinny]

It isn't the implementation of 3D that I don't get excited over, it is just 3D, in general. It mostly gives me a headache...but that's just me. :)


Randy

Yea 3D doesn't work for me so I could careless. The UMC-1 on sale doesn't have 3D.

[Skiman]

Here’s my 2 cents. Given the size of your room, any decent receiver should have adequate power. That means you could sell your Parasound amp. There is one for sale at Audiogon right now with an asking price of $1100 for example. However, your Parasound is such a nice and powerful unit that I would keep it. Amplifier technology such as this hasn’t changed much over the years, but processer technology most certainly does. I recently got a Marantz AV7005, and I love it. Fairly steep learning curve made easier with the Outlaws supplemental guide. While the Outlaws sell it at MSRP with free shipping, it’s not necessary to buy it from them to get their well written guide. The AVS forum has a long ongoing thread on the AV7005.

[diamonddelts]

Stay away from those Emotiva UMC units. They are nothing but problems. You should keep your amp and get a cheap Onkyo 709 as a pre-pro. It's got the newest audyssey eq along with other bells and whistles.

[TechFan]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I like the AV7005, but I think it is going to be a bit more than I want to spend at this time. As for the Onkyo, I'll consider it. Honestly, I am starting to lose faith in Onkyo. I have been a longtime fan, but every CD player I ever bought for them developed mechanical problems, and they seem to have a fairly significant number of HDMI board problems on the Integras like mine. That said, I don't think I ever had a problem with any of their receivers...and I've had 3 or 4 of them.

Anyway, thanks for the input!

Randy

[tooskinny]

If you don't want or need a receiver with audyssey you can get H/K cheap on ebay with pre-outs. I have bought three from the store on ebay with no problems.

[Skiman]

There is a used Marantz AV7005 for sale in the classified section of the AVS forum. Asking $990 + $35 shipping.

No, it's not mine.

Disclaimer: I know nothing more than the fact that I saw the ad.

[TechFan]

There is a used Marantz AV7005 for sale in the classified section of the AVS forum. Asking $990 + $35 shipping.

No, it's not mine.

Disclaimer: I know nothing more than the fact that I saw the ad.

Thanks for the info. I'll take a look...

Randy

[autox320]

I've lost faith in Onkyo myself. Reason? No individual channel crossover control. Unless the top end models I couldn't get adjust-ability.

I also needed pre-pro and something easier to use like on screen menu's. Went with Yamaha V867. Very slick receiver and totally happy with it.