Krell HTS 7.1 for 2 channel or a new or used 2 channel preamplifier?

[jfondell]

I have an opportunity to purchase a used Krell HTS 7.1 for 700.00 I have Krell amps Tyler Acoustic Decade 2 speakers. I am currently using a Yamaha 3030 as a pre and it sucks. I switched to the Yamaha for ease of use with hdmi and all but I find it severely lacking in the audio department. So this brings me to the question do I get the Krell or keep searching for a 2 channel pre? Budget is 1000

We listen to cd's and stream Spotify, I am aware that I would need a source for streaming which wouldn't be an issue as I have an extra apple TV I could hookup to the krell.

Thanks

[Joe Pittman]

Do you use the Yamaha 3030 as a preamp/processor? ie: streaming audio through HDMI? Or do you use the Yamaha 3030 as just a preamp? If you are looking for pure performance, a true all analog preamp may be best.

The Krell HTS should have really good performance with two channels. I'm not familiar with the Krell, but it might convert all analog inputs to digital (A/D) and then use D/A prior to the analog outputs like many A/V receivers. If they do, I'm not saying that would be bad (it can sound very good) it would not be the most pure. See if it has pure analog bypass.

[tom_hankins]

Can you use something like the NAD C510 dac/preamp instead of the Yamaha? I see them used for around $1K. Should be a sonic upgrade over your Yamaha.