Home Theater Preamp Reviews

An AV preamplifier is one part of a separates-based home theater system, providing the audio/video switching and processing while a separate amplifier (or amplifiers) powers the speakers.

Going the separates route is generally considered to be the higher-performance option, as opposed to using an all-in-one AV receiver, because the manufacturer can focus more on selecting just the right components and design elements for that device’s specific function. Like an AV receiver, today’s AV preamp will decode the highest quality uncompressed audio soundtracks, such as DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD, and a growing number also decode 3D audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

On the video side, most AV preamps offer a solid number of HDMI inputs, with the ability to pass through the latest and greatest technologies like Ultra HD and High Dynamic Range.

It has been a long-held opinion that the AV preamp emphasizes performance at the expense of features, but many modern AV preamps are loaded with same features you’ll find in the AV receiver category—including automatic setup and room correction systems, network audio streaming, hi-res audio playback, multi-room AV distribution, and smart home control. Below are some educational resources to assist in your search for an AV preamp.


AV Receivers vs. AV Separates: Which Is Right for You?
• Surround Sound Explained
• Automated Room Correction Explained

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    Making high-end audio and home theater fit in the modern home

  • Home Theater Review's Best of 2019 Awards

    As 2019 comes to a close, we at HomeTheaterReview.com look back at all the products we reviewed this year and pick the best of the bunch, from affordable favorites...

  • Emotiva RMC-1 16 Channel Reference Cinema Processor Reviewed

    Emotiva's RMC-1 is one of the hotly anticipated AV preamps we've seen in years. But its most oft-discussed feature, it's insane channel count, is probably the least interesting thing...

  • Marantz AV8805 AV Preamp Reviewed

    Brian Kahn puts Marantz's flagship AV preamp through the ringer to see how it stacks up with previous models and the current state of the art.

  • Home Theater Review's Best of 2018 Awards

    Here at the end of 2018, we at HomeTheaterReview.com look back at all the products we reviewed this year and pick the best of the bunch, from budget favorites...

  • Trinnov Altitude16 Home Theater Preamp/Optimizer Reviewed

    The Trinnov Altitude16 delivers pure audio bliss, says Dennis Burger, with more configuration features than most people would have any clue what to do with. But sonic perfection does...

  • Lyngdorf MP-50 AV Preamp Reviewed

    Its price may be a bit daunting, but Greg Handy argues that the Lyngdorf MP-50 actually represents an incredible value, when you consider the products it competes against.

  • Home Theater Review's Best of 2017 Awards

    It's that time of year again--when the HomeTheaterReview.com staff looks at all of the products we reviewed this year and picks the best of the best. We've tried to...

  • Marantz AV7703 11.2-Channel AV Processor Reviewed

    Brian Kahn explores Marantz's AV7703, an ISF-certified 11.2-channel processor with support for Dolby Atmos/DTS:X, UHD/HDR pass-through, hi-res audio streaming, Audyssey MultEQ32 room correction, and more.

  • AudioControl Maestro M9 Home Theater Processor Reviewed

    Dennis Burger puts AudioControl's Maestro M9 processor to the test. This 7.1.4-channel home theater processor features Dolby Atmos/DTS:X decoding, support for HDMI 2.0a with HDCP 2.2, and Dirac Live...

  • Indy Audio Labs Acurus ACT 4 AV Preamp Reviewed

    Dennis Burger examines the Acurus 4 from Indy Audio Labs. This 13.3-channel AV preamp supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2.

  • Anthem AVM 60 11.2-Channel Pre/Pro Reviewed

    Myron Ho explores Anthem's AVM 60, an 11.2-channel preamp/processor that comes fully loaded with Dolby Atmos/DTS:X support, full UHD/HDR pass-through, DTS Play-Fi whole-house music streaming, Anthem Room Correction, and...

  • Home Theater Review's Best of 2016 Awards

    'Tis the season for Home Theater Review's annual best-of list, where we select the best products we've reviewed in the past 12 months.

  • Classé Sigma SSP AV Preamp Reviewed

    Jerry Del Colliano reviews the Sigma SSP AV preamp from Classé Audio. Features include seven HDMI inputs, USB and Ethernet connections, and both balanced and single-ended connections.

  • Home Theater Review's Best of 2015 Awards

    It's that time of year again--time for the HomeTheaterReview.com staff to pick the products that we feel represent the best of the best from all of our 2015...

  • Emotiva XMC-1 7.2-Channel AV Pre/Pro Reviewed

    Dennis Burger reviews Emotiva's flagship XMC-1, a 7.2-channel AV preamp that carries an asking price of $2,499.

  • Marantz AV8802 AV Processor Reviewed

    Brian Kahn auditions the Marantz AV8802 preamp, which adds features like built in Wi-Fi, HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2, and support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X--along with many performance...

  • NAD M17 AV Preamp/Processor Reviewed

    NAD's new Masters Series M17 is a high-performance seven-channel AV pre/pro with a modular design that helps it keep up with the changing landscape. Greg Handy puts this processor...

  • Home Theater Review's Best of 2014 Awards

    Home Theater Review presents its Best of 2014 Awards. We've surveyed all the products reviewed over the past year and selected the ones we think are the most compelling....

  • Integra DHC-60.5 7.2-Channel A/V Preamp

    In weighing the relative merits of AV receivers vs. AV separates, I think even the most staunch supporters of the latter (yours truly included) have to concede that AV...

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