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Expensive, but where is the difference?
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<blockquote data-quote="Se7en" data-source="post: 3966418" data-attributes="member: 584537"><p>I'll aplogize in advance for the rant.</p><p></p><p>In my opinion (being much more audio centric) you don't get a whole lot more with these higher priced recievers, in fact in many cases I feel you get less.</p><p></p><p>If you're looking for a great audio processor on the cheap and do not care about the latest DTS/Dolby support but want multichannel, with XO and TA, I'd look into the older Lexicon MC1 and DC1 units. These were awesome! The MC1 takes digital in and would be my preference of the two. Keep in mind that you'll need to run external amplification, but that carver could be a great choice.</p><p></p><p>For video, if you want an upscaler but don't need to do it through the Reciever, you might check out the Oppo DVD players. They have the Faroudja upscaling chip found in a number of th mega$$ Recievers and they can be bought new for around $200.</p><p></p><p>As for processing, if it were me, I'd evaluate the best that the market has to offer (even though the prices are kind of out there) and see what features they're promoting and see what features mean the most to you. This at least gives you a basis for feature elimination and might let you steer through some of the marketing BS so common these days.</p><p></p><p>-For HT audio digital processing and multi channel room correction and amplification, I'd look at the Tact Audio TCS system.</p><p></p><p>-For video processing and upscaling I'd look at the Anthem Statement D2</p><p></p><p>-For all around best in class I'd look at Theta.</p><p></p><p>Generally speaking with these mass market HT Procs you only get updated video and sound processing features designed to accomodate what the movie studios are selling that particular month, a mid grade class D on board amp, and maybe a half ***'d room tuning algorithm and a $10 mic.</p><p></p><p>For example, if you're only running one HD device to your HD tv, and you have the option of just running directly to your TV and not using the reciever to process the video, great!. If you have 5 video HD sources you'll pay an arm and a leg to be able to route and switch them all through your reciever and then to your TV. Obviously what you lose is the convenience of have complete source switching with one remote (and any potential upscaling features of the recever), then again you can buy a universal remote.</p><p></p><p>For me, and this is just me speaking, the most important thing to me in a reciever or pre-amp is signal path (less is more). Most of these big combo recievers just make a mess of the signal.</p><p></p><p>Also, digital to analog conversion (a good DAC doesn't cost much but these big companies usually skimp here and/or charge an arm or a leg). A good example of is the AKM DAC found in the Berhinger DCX 24/96. This unit has 6 onboard dacs, takes a digital in, sounds great and only cost $250-300 retail. Problem is that being pro gear, has no volume control and is not designed for any 5.1 decoding. I'm only using this as an example though.</p><p></p><p>Anyway best of luck, sorry for rant.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Se7en, post: 3966418, member: 584537"] I'll aplogize in advance for the rant. In my opinion (being much more audio centric) you don't get a whole lot more with these higher priced recievers, in fact in many cases I feel you get less. If you're looking for a great audio processor on the cheap and do not care about the latest DTS/Dolby support but want multichannel, with XO and TA, I'd look into the older Lexicon MC1 and DC1 units. These were awesome! The MC1 takes digital in and would be my preference of the two. Keep in mind that you'll need to run external amplification, but that carver could be a great choice. For video, if you want an upscaler but don't need to do it through the Reciever, you might check out the Oppo DVD players. They have the Faroudja upscaling chip found in a number of th mega$$ Recievers and they can be bought new for around $200. As for processing, if it were me, I'd evaluate the best that the market has to offer (even though the prices are kind of out there) and see what features they're promoting and see what features mean the most to you. This at least gives you a basis for feature elimination and might let you steer through some of the marketing BS so common these days. -For HT audio digital processing and multi channel room correction and amplification, I'd look at the Tact Audio TCS system. -For video processing and upscaling I'd look at the Anthem Statement D2 -For all around best in class I'd look at Theta. Generally speaking with these mass market HT Procs you only get updated video and sound processing features designed to accomodate what the movie studios are selling that particular month, a mid grade class D on board amp, and maybe a half ***'d room tuning algorithm and a $10 mic. For example, if you're only running one HD device to your HD tv, and you have the option of just running directly to your TV and not using the reciever to process the video, great!. If you have 5 video HD sources you'll pay an arm and a leg to be able to route and switch them all through your reciever and then to your TV. Obviously what you lose is the convenience of have complete source switching with one remote (and any potential upscaling features of the recever), then again you can buy a universal remote. For me, and this is just me speaking, the most important thing to me in a reciever or pre-amp is signal path (less is more). Most of these big combo recievers just make a mess of the signal. Also, digital to analog conversion (a good DAC doesn't cost much but these big companies usually skimp here and/or charge an arm or a leg). A good example of is the AKM DAC found in the Berhinger DCX 24/96. This unit has 6 onboard dacs, takes a digital in, sounds great and only cost $250-300 retail. Problem is that being pro gear, has no volume control and is not designed for any 5.1 decoding. I'm only using this as an example though. Anyway best of luck, sorry for rant. [/QUOTE]
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