Anyone using a receiver as a pre amp?

[richamor]

I'm thinking of using my Marantz 2235b as a pre amp to the Bozak 939. Any advantages or dis-advantages to using a receiver instead of a dedicated pre?

 

[hatrack71]

I had a 1090 I used as a pre and it was very good. I briefly used a 2252 as a pre as well. The old Marantzes with pre outs worked very well. I currently am using a Sansui AU-7900 as a pre into a Spectro Acoustics model 200r just to check out the SA sound. I must say that it is smoother than the Phase Linear amp I had. I would think what you are asking should be no problem. The only thing I would be looking at is the power amp you are using. You might be hard pressed to find something with as smooth a power section as the Marantz you have in the receiver already.

 

[Freo-1]

I have tried a Sony STR DA-7100ES as a preamp, and it worked fair, but not great. A dedicated preamp in general should provide improved perfromance.

 

[joel27]

I used a marantz 2245 for a pre for a bit. It colored the sound as I wanted but I decided to use it in another system. It worked well for what I wanted though. Give it a try see if you like it or not.

 

[motorstereo]

Normally a reciever's pre-amp section isn't quite as refined as a stand alone pre. Then there"s a few recievers that have surprisingly good pre-amp sections. The sansui 9090db and the pioneer sx1010 were 2 of my favorites. Using a better amp through the reciever's pre-outs is a great bang for the buck way to improve on the sound the reciever.

 

[richamor]

Well, the 2235 will get a recap before I put it back in use. I was just curious as to whether I would be better off selling the Marantz and buying a dedicated preamp.

 

[TAGO MAGO]

My Harman/Kardon 330B had pre-amp outs and I used it with a Crown D-150A for a short period of time and it worked very well, but I have to agree, a stand alone pre-amp will give you better performance.

 

[tensleep]

I have used a Yamaha CR-1020 as a preamplifier into a Kenwood KM-X1000, driving my Bozak B302a speakers. The matchup was very good.

 

[barkerd]

there is not any steadfast rule : original quality combined with present quality (ie : needs re-capping?) are the big contingents ..... however, when you've just spent a whack on getting that "lifetime" amp .....the prices of preamps can be scary : especially if you go relatively new and you have to go for, yet, a separate phono preamp....using the (good, hopefully) "old" receiver as a preamp is a good strategy ...... and to many , a surprisingly good one (let's not forget : the sound of many vintage receivers that people enjoy is largely due to it's own preamp

 

[71Challenger]

On occasion I use a Realistic STA-2000 as a pre for my Dynaco ST-150 amplifier.

While the Realistic by itself sounds big, full and quite pleasing but hooking up the Dynaco brings out startling clarity while retaining a bit of the realistic warmth.

 

[burmashave]

I'm using a Realistic/Hitachi SA 2001 integrated for my pre (outstanding) into the aux input of a Sony STR 6065. However unorthodox, the sound is amazing. Better than any combo I have tried, and better by far than either piece by itself.

 

[kfalls]

I'm currently using a Sony STR-D5300ES as a pre-amp with an Emotiva XPA-5 5ch amp. I use the surround amps from the receiver and have my main speakers bi-amped. It sounds just fine to me. I see no issues.

 

[tensleep]

I'm currently using a Sony STR-D5300ES as a pre-amp with an Emotiva XPA-5 5ch amp. I use the surround amps from the receiver and have my main speakers bi-amped. It sounds just fine to me. I see no issues.

Now that's a slick way to biamplify. Are you using an active or passive scheme?

 

[motorstereo]

Keep an eye out for a decent dedicated pre-amp. On the used market they can be had without breaking the bank. Then you'll forget all about using the marantz's pre out section.

 

[RichPA]

I'm using an Advent 300 receiver as a preamp in one of the systems here.

 

[Artie]

One thing to watch out for . . . make sure you put grounding plugs on the amp input. Otherwise, your amp section could be sitting there amplifying all kinds of extraneous noise, (consuming power and causing wear-n-tear), without you being aware of it.

Personally, if I were to do this on a somewhat long-term basis, I'd disconnect the internal power connections to the amp section. It should be fairly easy to do, and then re-do.

Just my 2-cents.

Artie

 

[Freo-1]

I'm currently using a Sony STR-D5300ES as a pre-amp with an Emotiva XPA-5 5ch amp. I use the surround amps from the receiver and have my main speakers bi-amped. It sounds just fine to me. I see no issues.

Yep. I had tried that trick as well, with a DA9000ES as a power amp for the 7100ES preamp. I used the 9000 as bi-amped for the front L/R channels, as well as the center and surrond.

However, after changing out the front speakers to Legacy, wound up selling all the Sony gear and obtained a pair of Nakamichi PA-7 for the front and rear, and a PA-5 for the center. Also obtained a Krell Showcase as a preamp, which did work out better than the 7100 as a preamp.

 

[Old_Tech]

I'm thinking of using my Marantz 2235b as a pre amp to the Bozak 939. Any advantages or dis-advantages to using a receiver instead of a dedicated pre?

I used a Heathkit AR-1500A receiver preamp out to drive my Crown amp for over 20 years. Sounded beautiful to me. The advantages were super high power, a Tuner and many line inputs almost like an Integrated amp. It's really not a big deal go ahead and try it. :yes:

 

[bobaloniny]

used an old sony 6046a as the pre for my dreadnaught for quite awhile, thought it worked well and sounded good

 

[bigaltx24]

+1 on the Advent 300, I used one to drive a Marantz 140 amp. Sounded better than the Marantz 3200 pre that came with the amp.