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Please help me select a used processor/preamplifier that will serve me well into the future. I have considered Proceed AVP, Lexicon DC-1,2 and Classe SSP-25 and love their higher build quality. Should I consider a newer, originally less expensive alternative that may be more resistant to technical obsolescence?The processor will be used about 75% for video from DVD and satellite sources. However, I do not want to make any significant sacrifice in terms of audio. I have enjoyed listening to SACD and DVD-A demos and it would be nice if these formats are compatible. I definitely listen to a lot of vinyl.
The processor will core a 5.1 system with a widescreen front projector for display. My front and rear speakers are vintage AR9's. These play full-range and very deep. I will use mid-fi yamaha amplifiers for now but will upgrade later.
Follow Ups:
Auricle, cfraser and lwang: Thank you for your insights.What exactly is direct pass though? Is it just a circuit that allows volume control without post signal processing? Does it have to be part of the processor or can it be accomplished with an add on box between amplifier and DVD-A / SACD player? Of the current processor crop, which good ones include or may be upgraded to include direct pass through circuits without doubling or tripling my initial investment as I think would be required by Proceed?
Then you would need some sort of A/B switch to switch between the Sony and processor. Then you could get any processor you want. Don't let the analog pass-through cut off your choice to many of the great bargain processors out there.
Great. Sounds like I can eat my cake and have it to.
There are plans for processors to include those capabilities as well once the flamewar between firewire and USB is settled and the standards have been set. lwang is right in saying you must consider a processor with passthrough capability (for now).The problem is this, I believe that it will be out of date in 1 year or less, not 10, because that is when I think they will come out with the new standards*. Front ends are already coming with a port suitable for software upgrades, soooo o o o . When the new processors come out, the units you seek
1. will be cheaper than they are now or
2. will not be the units you seek any more.If you would likely upgrade in a year or so, go ahead. If not, maybe you should have a think about it.
*They are pushing this hard, in a recession everyone wants a new source of income.
If you bought a processor more than a year (more like 6 months) ago, it will not be able to process some of the latest format soundtracks on DVD's even now. So better make sure that expensive processor is upgradeable somehow. Or maybe Dolby/dts 5.1 is plenty good enough, in which case don't worry, though better DAC's are getting cheaper all the time as they make their way down the food chain.
Buy a good, new or used home theater receiver like a denon, marantz, or b&k. will have the bells and whistlers including audio bypass, 5.1 inputs, dplII, and the amplifier section will be as good as your yamaha section. stay away from meridian or other processers that are not analog friendly or prepare to forget your vinyl
Why is meridian not analog friendly?Also, thanks for the good advice regarding a receiver but unfortunately receivers lack the authroity to push my AR 9lsi's. While a yamaha m-80 is far from the cleanest or most musical amplifier, it can be bought for $250 bucks and will throw a 1,000 watts per channel at 5.6 ohms without significant distortion. This makes it a good match for the AR 9's.
Once the preamp/processor is taken care of, I will probalbly replace my yamahas with 10 or 12 Marantz MA 500 monoblocks.
Also should I ditch the AR9's for something faster and clearer, most likely I will go with electrostatics. So I will still need serious amplification.
"Should I consider a newer, originally less expensive alternative that may be more resistant to technical obsolescence?"Ain't no such animal friend. Guaranteed to be obsolete in 10 years or less. Probably much less. Standards and formats continually change, companies go out of business or drop product lines.
Personally, I'd avoid sinking signficant $$'s into a preamp/pro. Used can be an excellent way to get high quality if you check thoroughly and have a good warranty. A used AVP 1 is a good buy right now, since Proceed's still (to date) supporting it and in business.
Larry S: Thanks for your reponse.I agree completely that used is the way to go. I was thinking in terms of this years $2,500 machine that can be bought used for $1,500 versus year 2000's $5,000 machine (like your AVP-1) that can be bought for used for $1,500. They both do DD and DTS, the newer one one may have THX ultra and the other may have just plain jane THX. If the newer doesn't offer dedicated circuitry or real compatibilty for SACD / DVD-A should I sacrifice build quality for a later THX or 7 channels when I am having a hard enough time putting together 5 channels? Maybe the older one has more refined pro-logic circuitry, which will give me much more joy than insignificant enhancements found on the newer machine.
Basically, I like nice stuff. I have always preferred to buy higher quality and older before buying newer but lower quality. You can't compare the feel of a Sony ES or even a Denon to a Proceed. So is there anything found on a 2002 Sony ES or Denon that I am likely to really miss should I go with that Proceed, Classe or Lexicon from 2000.
Excellent in video sound processing, and has audio surround format that is the best there is out there, bar none.But with your antiquated system and a not so high emphasis on accurate surround music reproduction, you might be better off with a Lexicon.
Thanks for your response. I will do a detailed research on the Meridian.Lexicon was my fist choice until very recently. The DC-1 cost what I wanted to spend and promised upgradeability and great support. Now, however, I am now concerned that Lexicon will discontinue support and it will become another antique. Also, Lexicon doesn't seem to be very well regarded for music.
Regarding accurate surround music reproduction, if DVD-A or SACD are likely to become viable and sustainable formats well into the future, then I want a truly compatible if not excellent surround music processor so the Meridian could be a great choice.
The 565 is not current, has no 5 channel pass-thru and has limited switching. You would need a 562, 562v or 518 if you want extensive switching.If you are interested in DVD-A or SACD, none of these offers 5ch direct. You either get a pretty new processor with 5 ch pass-through, or get some 5 ch switcher and 5ch volume control for the DVD-A.
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