Linn Forums

aleann · (This post was last modified: 2011-03-31 21:01 by aleann.)

Hello. First thread ever here on this forum, read it for a long time though Smile

If I want to incorporate a solid good preamp with a HomeTheater Bypass or Unitygain enabled inputs into my system. I have ordered an Integra DHC 80.2 that will handle all HDMIswitching and soundprocessing for movies etc but I think it will lack in the analog inputs and I think my Akurate DS will cry if I connect it via the Integra.

Where do I look?

I've found out that KK have it but its too costly since it cost more than my source and my speakers altogether (and even more than that too).

The Majik DSi isnt an alternative really since I have an ADS i want to use, selling the ADS and buying a DSi feels like a quite big step down in the source.

I thought the Majik-I would have UG but, it doesnt, not a proper one that wont risk the speakers. Volume 80 and switching over to the input with the ADS playing a playlist.. Poof goes the speaker if Im unlucky and its just a really poor solution from Linn so thats not an alternative either.

So..

What other brands are there out there that could be interesting and good enough in a Linn-rig? I had a Unidisk SC with Dynamik and that sounded pretty much allright in my ears, I just want a simple pre with the same or better sound as the SC but it need to have HT or UG. It also need to have a remote.

Any ideas on this subjekt? I live in northern Sweden and the stores uphere are somewhat limited so I would really appreciate some input and ideas in this matter.

Budget, 1-2k£ or so new, or used, doesnt really matter aslong as it's quality.

Regards

Alex

TomBK · 2011-03-31, 21:09

That's quite a few abbreviations Alex - but there's one pre that springs to my mind anyways - 5103 - not sure it'll satisfy your HT and UG, though - on the other hand it should be VERY cheap sh...and still extremely well playing...

Cheers
Tom

yellowelans4 · 2011-03-31, 21:37

well Alex tricky if you already have the Integra on the way then it is difficult to advise you - I would try the ADS through the Integra using the "Direct Mode" this will clear down as much of the internal circuitry as possible and give as clean a result as you can get - it might be perfectly OK.

If you didn't have the Integra I would advise you look for either a Exotik+DA or AKD(original) - more than your budget but then you wouldn't need the Integra so more budget available - HD audio is not available on the Linn but IMO this does not matter

Keith

aleann · (This post was last modified: 2011-03-31 21:53 by aleann.)

Oh hehe Tom, sorry about that. I'll try to clarify this, I didnt know about this solution either until I started to really dig into possible solutions if you want a proper homecinema aswell as a 2-channel system that sounds good.
The usual dilemma with the hometheaterpre's is the lacking analog inputs, they just arent good enough when compared to a wellsounding preamp from Linn for example, they are out of tune and make a complete mess of the music. (this is in my experience of course, I have yet to hear a good preamp with all the functions and HDMI in/outs aswell as Audyssey pro. Marantz 7500 for example sound craptastic in 2ch even when compared to my old SC and still lots of people praise it to the sky for some reason, I guess im weird.) Building a hometheater is a compromise as I see it but there is a solution.

UG = Unity Gain, means you can set a specific input to amplification 1:1 (this is where you connect the HTpre) and use the other inputs as regular inputs, its a good function if you have a good processor/preamp for hometheater but want another preamp that you can connect for example an Akurate DS to. The mainreason is to use a better preamps 2ch analog inputs and feed the signal to the amps.

HT = HomeTheater bypass, pretty much same function but its usually incorporated as a button on the front of the amp that you just click to bypass the preamp totally and let the signal from the cinemapreamp handle the proamp fully. Quite a nifty feature actually and this is the preferred solution in my eyes.

Chain then goes:

Hometheater pre's front outputs > analog UG-enabled inputs pre (or any input aslong as the pre have HT bypass) > proamp.

This is a really good solution, I can put up a 9.2 system fully Audyssey Pro and ISF-calibrated for a really really good sound and picture during film and I can also use the Akurate DS for a good sound in 2-channel mode aswell. Best of both worlds as I see it. Linn is awesome at 2-channel sound but they just fall behind in the hometheater-department and this is actually a perfect solution.

Makes it kinda hard for me to understand why the Majik-I doesnt have either UG or HT bypass Sad

It would be a logical choice in this situation if it did. The DS-I have it but it's only really usable if you dont have a DS already.

I've thought of the 5103 but I think it sounds worse than the SC with Dynamik and the display is troublesome and well, the whole product isnt breathing quality sadly. It's quite hard to find a 5103 that is fresh and works 100%, at least over here in Sweden. Been a while since I saw one, my dealer have one but its really really dirty (think some steelworker or similar had it before) and the display isnt working 100% and the remote is missing aswell, the buttons on the front are near their end aswell Smile

The 5103 does however if I have understood things correctly support Unity Gain. Could be wrong though.

Any other ideas?

Regards

Alex

TomBK · 2011-03-31, 21:45

Well Alex - you're obviously much more into multichannel than I am, but should you decide for a 5103 anyways I've got a second spare 5101 remote... Wink

Tom

aleann · (This post was last modified: 2011-03-31 21:53 by aleann.)

Yea Keith, I just expect the Integra to fall short when it comes to the analog inputs, seen quite a few posts over on AVS indicate this, its a really solid preamp for hometheaters though. I have never had the chance to try the analog inputs though, I just know that it does exactly what I want it to do when it comes to functionality and input/outputwise for digital sources and also for the picture.

If it performs on par with even the SC i'll be really really surprised to be honest Smile

Hmm, does the old Exotic/AK have unity gain btw? Anyone know? Those can be found within budget without too much hassle and they sound allright.

Regards

Alex

yellowelans4 · 2011-03-31, 22:00

sorry Alex it doesn't have unity gain I was offering it as complete solution instead of the Integra - soundwise - with Dynamik they are quite a way in front of the SC
Keith

aleann · 2011-03-31, 22:13

Tom, I love movies, almost as much as I love music Smile

------------------------------------------------------
Ahh okey Keith, well well, search goes on Smile

Thanks for the info.

Regards

Alex

rowlandhills · 2011-04-01, 08:26

Doesn't the new Akurate Kontrol (the two channel one) have unity gain?

SteveC · 2011-04-01, 11:15

"I have yet to hear a good preamp with all the functions and HDMI in/outs aswell as Audyssey pro. Marantz 7500 for example sound craptastic in 2ch even when compared to my old SC and still lots of people praise it to the sky for some reason, I guess im weird.)"

Aleann, Did you mean the newish Marantz AV7005? I'm interested in your comment because this one was in the back of my mind but I haven't listened to it yet.